Equivalent of an intel NUC?

Forums › Desktop computing › Equivalent of an intel NUC?

raytaylor

4076 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1296

Trusted

#147440 19-Jun-2014 11:50

Hi all

Does anyone know of an equivalent to an Intel NUC that will take a basic processor like an atom or something small?

I need to put one into a box that will have an exhaust fan but will still need to put out as little heat as possible while running windows 7 as a simple file server.

Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here

1 | 2

4015 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1851

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1069155 19-Jun-2014 11:53

Is Windows really required? I'm wondering whether a Raspberry Pi might do the trick with a large USB stick rather than a hard drive with its larger amount of power and theoretically less reliability.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

robjg63

4161 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1425

Subscriber

#1069171 19-Jun-2014 12:19

Asus eee box maybe?
Celeron processor though - comes with OS already installed I think.

https://www.asus.com/nz/EeeBox_PCs/EeeBox_PC_EB1007P/

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Dynamic

4015 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1851

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1069179 19-Jun-2014 12:33

I was looking to see if Intel still manufacture ITX motherboards with an Atom embedded, but Ingram doesn't list any currently that I can see.

However I did come across this little gem that might be ideal: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/nuc/nuc-kit-de3815tykhe.html

Single core fanless Atom with an internal 2.5" drive bay. Dirt cheap, relatively speaking. It looks like they have designed it with 'utility computer' functions in mind including digital signage or 'roll your own thiin client'. It even has a 3 year lifecycle for 'guaranteed availability' - potentially useful if you are rolling out one experimental installation and could out more into production from there. I'm putting one on backorder now so I can have a play, and will probably use it to replace a larger atom PC that drives the Helpdesk display in our office (and has multiple noisy fans).

EDIT: The Kingston RAM for these from distributors Synnex or Ingram is part number KVR16LS11. Both companies have the RAM in stock but the NUC is a couple of weeks away. We normally stick with Intel or Kingston SSD's but the sales guy at Synnex is encouraging us to try Trenscend SSDs so I'll throw one of those at it.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1184

#1069182 19-Jun-2014 12:38

Take a look at the Asus Chromebox, they're pretty awesome imo. There is no Atom variant, but there is a Celeron/i3/i7.

You can get the Celeron version for about $350, including 2GB RAM and 16GB SSD (they're NGFF if you need to swap it). That last bit may be the sticking point (even with a NUC) - if it's a file server, how much storage and what type do you need?

dacraka

771 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 165

ID Verified

Trusted

#1069183 19-Jun-2014 12:42

Dynamic: Is Windows really required? I'm wondering whether a Raspberry Pi might do the trick with a large USB stick rather than a hard drive with its larger amount of power and theoretically less reliability.

Na, I tried this with an RPi and it was waaaay too slow for this purpose.

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 267

#1069189 19-Jun-2014 12:53

I have one of these as my gateway/firewall, it's been running for about 2 weeks now and has been rock solid.

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

dolsen

1483 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 319

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1069207 19-Jun-2014 13:35

meesham: I have one of these as my gateway/firewall, it's been running for about 2 weeks now and has been rock solid.

Sold as a HTPC as well. Not sure if it would support 1080i H.264 broadcasts here. Anyone know for sure?

Ragnor

8279 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 585

Trusted

#1069254 19-Jun-2014 15:14

raytaylor: Hi all

Does anyone know of an equivalent to an Intel NUC that will take a basic processor like an atom or something small?

I need to put one into a box that will have an exhaust fan but will still need to put out as little heat as possible while running windows 7 as a simple file server.

PC Engines ALIX + Case are AMD APU based but might suit your task, eg:
http://nicegear.co.nz/single-board-computers/pc-engines-apu-1c4/
http://nicegear.co.nz/accessories/pc-engines-case-for-alix-2d3/

Some other options here: http://nicegear.co.nz/single-board-computers/

You used to be able to get intel atom mini itx boards but I think they are discontinued now, you could look at getting a supermicro intel atom mini itx form overseas.

raytaylor

4076 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1296

Trusted

#1069677 20-Jun-2014 01:46

meesham: I have one of these as my gateway/firewall, it's been running for about 2 weeks now and has been rock solid.

That looks freaking awesome.

I think we have a solution

Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
13036 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3896

ID Verified

Trusted

Lizard Networks

Subscriber

#1069678 20-Jun-2014 03:01

meesham: I have one of these as my gateway/firewall, it's been running for about 2 weeks now and has been rock solid.

not bad, what sort of load is this handling?

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

Dynamic

4015 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1851

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1069717 20-Jun-2014 08:35

raytaylor:
meesham: I have one of these as my gateway/firewall, it's been running for about 2 weeks now and has been rock solid.

That looks freaking awesome. I think we have a solution.

Yes it does, but are you going to be rolling out a number of these sites over a period of time? Are you going to be able to buy more in 6 or months time with the same spec and be able to use the same software image? How well supported will it be for drivers etc?

Devils advocate.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 267

#1069742 20-Jun-2014 09:20

hio77:
not bad, what sort of load is this handling?

It's running pfsense with Squid, Dan's Guardian and Snort running on it and talking to 3 VLANs, but it's only connected to ADSL2 until Fibre comes to my area. So far I haven't seen it stressed, if anyone wants me to test something on it (without taking my internet down!) or get info about the hardware just let me know. So far for a device under $200 (plus a stick of laptop RAM and SSD I had spare) I've been very happy with it.

Not sure about the 1080i playback, I think it's a HD2500 GPU in it and according to the Mediaportal wiki these don't have any problems playing 1080i - but this is untested by me.

There's an thread on the pfsense forums regarding this device if you're after more info - https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=75415.0 - people were recommending you don't buy the wireless module they offer as it's not very good and to get a separate one from eBay (I don't need wireless on the device so I can't confirm this).

PaulFindlay

104 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 9

ID Verified

#1070779 20-Jun-2014 09:54

raytaylor:
meesham: I have one of these as my gateway/firewall, it's been running for about 2 weeks now and has been rock solid.

That looks freaking awesome.

I think we have a solution

Similar in appearance to http://nicegear.co.nz/single-board-computers/mini-computer-x26y/ ?

meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 267

#1070786 20-Jun-2014 09:59

PaulFindlay:
Similar in appearance to http://nicegear.co.nz/single-board-computers/mini-computer-x26y/ ?

The case is almost identical and the specs are very similar, except the one on Nicegear only has 1 ethernet port and no USB3 ports but it does come with wireless and a 32GB SSD.

My next door neighbour is looking at getting one of these to run XBMC and found someone on TradeMe selling the one I have for $468 (with HDD and RAM): http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/desktops/no-monitor/auction-736858314.htm

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 373

#1070930 20-Jun-2014 12:45

PBTech have some NUC's on special this weekend

pbtech computer sale

1 | 2