Intel's NUC Extreme series of mini PCs has tried to keep the traditional NUC system small while offering the power of a gaming desktop. The models NUC 11 and NUC 12 Extreme included enough space inside for a dual-slot GPU up to about 300mm in length.
But now that even bigger GPUs are on the way, it looks like Intel is going to enable them with the NUC 13 Extreme, codenamed “raptor canyon“. Intel showed off a new version of the box at TwitchCon, which is big enough to to house a triple-slot GPU along with new 13th Gen Intel Core CPUs.
Intel NUC prepares for even bigger GPUs to come
Apparently the Raptor Canyon box has a volume of 13,9 liters. It's still quite small compared to other enthusiast boxes. According to ArtsTechnica, not the case for the smallest case for a triple slot GPU. There are cases like the 560-liter Sliger SM11, and the 10,9-liter Sliger Conswole that can house a triple-slot GPU in a smaller footprint. Then there's the 200L Cooler Master NR18,5P or the 14,7L SSUPD Meshlicious, which are slightly larger and cost less than the Intel Nuc 13 Extreme.
They also warn that ITX cases are compact but powerful for gaming, while the NUC 13 Extreme are difficult to assemble and require careful measurement, planning and cable management to ensure all components fit together and are cooled properly. Tiny cases and small form factor SFX power supplies also come with their own price tag, often higher than full-size components. Building with standardized parts also means there are more upgrade options for years to come compared to proprietary NUC sizes.
Intel also continues to make smaller, better integrated NUCs, like the recently announced NUC 12 Enthusiast. This model that combines a 12th generation Intel Core CPU with a discrete Intel Arc GPU.
Source: ArsTechnica