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<section begin="intro" />The Intel NUC is a series of small, awesome, x86-based PCs that works fantastically as an HTPC. Can run a full desktop OS if desired. Reasonable starting price considering size and power. Uses Celeron to i5 CPUs. Can run fanless with a replacement heatsink case.<section end="intro" />
<section begin="intro" />The Intel NUC is a series of small, awesome, x86-based PCs that works fantastically as an HTPC. Can run a full desktop OS if desired. Reasonable starting price considering size and power. Uses Celeron to i5 CPUs. Can run fanless with a replacement heatsink case.<section end="intro" />


==Known issues==
==About the Intel NUC==
===Windows===
There are currently three versions of NUC on sale now; Celeron, i3 & i5.
*Having graphical UI corruption with a NUC that uses Intel HD4000 graphics? Try these beta graphics drivers: [http://downloadmirror.intel.com/22938/a08/Win32_1533b.zip 32-bit] • [http://downloadmirror.intel.com/22935/a08/Win64_1533b.zip 64-bit]. [http://www.techblo.gg/?p=231]


==Random notes==
All are x86 64bit OS capable. You can install Windows 7, 8 or just [[XBMCbuntu]] or [[OpenELEC]]. It doesn't matter. But if you don't need Netflix, SkyGO, then stick with OpenELEC or XBMCbuntu. They even have the internal pin headers for extra USB ports, but also for power switch, LEDs etc. more on this later.  
{{large|''Feel free to place various notes, tips, and links here. As this section of the wiki gets more organized, those notes will be properly sorted. Consider this like a dumping ground for when you're not sure where to put something.''}}


So you've found the XBMC wiki on the INTEL NUC.
===Celeron===
 
Celeron - has intel HD graphics, can play everything XBMC can including 1080p SBS 3D. It will struggle with full frame packed 3D. Boot up time direct into XBMC is less than 10 seconds. You can easily build [as they come with nothing] a 32GB mSATA SSD [total overkill for an openELEC build as there are internal USB headers in these which you could use to put a USB memory stick in and run from that. But it'll never beat SSD, But if you want windows. It's the only way to go] plus 4GB ram total build for no more than £200. If you read the [http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=140534 NUC thread], there are screen caps of prices to help you compare to today's prices.  
First things first.
 
Have a nose of the 100+ page thread on the NUC. Literally is the finest resource on the NUC.
 
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=140534
 
There are 3 flavours of NUC.
 
Celeron, i3 & i5.  All are x86 64bit OS capable. So you can install windows 7, 8 or just XBMCbuntu or openELEC. It doesn't matter. But if you don't need Netflix, SkyGO, then stick with openELEC or XBMCbuntu. They even have the internal pin headers for extra USB ports, but also for power switch, LEDs etc. more on this later.
 
Celeron - has intel HD graphics, can play everything XBMC can including 1080p SBS 3D. It will struggle with full frame packed 3D. Boot up time direct into XBMC is less than 10 seconds. You can easily build [as they come with nothing] a 32GB mSATA SSD [total overkill for an openELEC build as there are internal USB headers in these which you could use to put a USB memory stick in and run from that. But it'll never beat SSD, But if you want windows. It's the only way to go] plus 4GB ram total build for no more than £200. If you read the thread, there are screen caps of prices to help you compare to today's prices.  


Skins wise, running Confluence, Ace or Bello [any light skin] are wonderful to use and very fluid. Running Aeon Nox, MQ3, MQ4 [aka heavier skins] are smooth but not as fluid as what can be enjoyed on the i3 & i5 models. I'm not talking horrible but its not 100% instant. [yes I'm anal on my XBMC experience!]
Skins wise, running Confluence, Ace or Bello [any light skin] are wonderful to use and very fluid. Running Aeon Nox, MQ3, MQ4 [aka heavier skins] are smooth but not as fluid as what can be enjoyed on the i3 & i5 models. I'm not talking horrible but its not 100% instant. [yes I'm anal on my XBMC experience!]


===i3===
i3 - has intel HD4000 graphics. Hell, you could switch the graphic acceleration off this baby's so good! Does everything the Celeron can do and full frame packed 3D! But at the £100 premium on top of the Celeron. If you're not running windows with it and doing a bit of light gaming. Then there's [IMO] not much point to it.  
i3 - has intel HD4000 graphics. Hell, you could switch the graphic acceleration off this baby's so good! Does everything the Celeron can do and full frame packed 3D! But at the £100 premium on top of the Celeron. If you're not running windows with it and doing a bit of light gaming. Then there's [IMO] not much point to it.  


i5 - these puppies have USB3 [great if you're gonna do file transfers on/off USB3 drives to/from your NUC] but not so great because you can't boot off them! But the i5 models have built in IR receivers. ***This means you can use your own remotes to control the NUC and possibly power up from remote*** last sentence unconfirmed as of 11/8/13
===i5===
 
:''Coming soon?''
You can mod anything. So I modded the Celeron NUC.  - http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=166886
i5 - these puppies have USB3 and USB2 ports. You can't boot from the USB3 ports using a USB drive, but you can boot using the USB2 ports. The i5 models have built in IR receivers.
 
I added http://www.simerec.com which is ON/OFF capability via remote. I also added in IR from a Microsoft USB RC6 IR receiver. plenty of pics and detailed description. Even the holes were covered with www.lightdims.com which worked fantastically.
 
If you want a small, capable of heavy skins, does basic 3D and straight into XBMC in seconds. And is dead quiet. Go Celeron. Don't waste your time with an android box or raspberry pi. Spend a couple hundred and get a Celeron NUC. you won't regret it. I personally think its the best box at the moment. But we'll see how The Little Black Box fares in the coming months.
 
You can also buy fanless cases for these NUCs.
 
http://www.impactics.com/d1nu1-b/
 
White model with RC6 USB receiver plugged into front of it.
 
http://postimg.org/image/klk0h6yp3/
 
 
So, you've bought a NUC.
 


==Known issues==
===General===
====Missing internal USB header on some early models?====
If you have a NUC and want to know if you have the usb header installed or not:
If you have a NUC and want to know if you have the usb header installed or not:


Line 78: Line 53:
Within 2 weeks. You'll have a factory fresh replacement and most likely in full retail box. So you might end up with a spare case!
Within 2 weeks. You'll have a factory fresh replacement and most likely in full retail box. So you might end up with a spare case!


===Windows===
*Having graphical UI corruption with a NUC that uses Intel HD4000 graphics? Try these beta graphics drivers: [http://downloadmirror.intel.com/22938/a08/Win32_1533b.zip 32-bit] • [http://downloadmirror.intel.com/22935/a08/Win64_1533b.zip 64-bit]. [http://www.techblo.gg/?p=231]
==Mods==
You can mod several things on the NUC.
===IR mods===
Here's one user's mod to add IR: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=166886
He added http://www.simerec.com which is ON/OFF capability via remote, and added in IR from a Microsoft USB RC6 IR receiver. Plenty of pics and detailed description. Even the holes were covered with www.lightdims.com which worked fantastically.
===Fanless cases===
There are several fanless cases available for the NUC.
You can also buy fanless cases for these NUCs: http://www.impactics.com/d1nu1-b/
White model with RC6 USB receiver plugged into front of it: http://postimg.org/image/klk0h6yp3/


==Other tips, tricks, and advice==
===Linux bootloader===
info on what you choose when installing archboot when  you do a UEFI install?
info on what you choose when installing archboot when  you do a UEFI install?


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* http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=166886 - Celeron NUC with mods
* http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=166886 - Celeron NUC with mods
* http://www.simerec.com - install IR on/off capabilities (NUC can sleep/wake without mods)
* http://www.simerec.com - install IR on/off capabilities (NUC can sleep/wake without mods)
==Random notes==
{{large|''Feel free to place various notes, tips, and links here. As this section of the wiki gets more organized, those notes will be properly sorted. Consider this like a dumping ground for when you're not sure where to put something.''}}
*


[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Category:Hardware]]
[[Category:XBMC Manual]]
[[Category:XBMC Manual]]

Revision as of 05:13, 22 August 2013

NUC.jpg
Home icon grey.png   ▶ Devices ▶ Intel NUC
Attention talk.png Read this page and still need help? Check out the NUC thread on the XBMC support forum.

The Intel NUC is a series of small, awesome, x86-based PCs that works fantastically as an HTPC. Can run a full desktop OS if desired. Reasonable starting price considering size and power. Uses Celeron to i5 CPUs. Can run fanless with a replacement heatsink case.

About the Intel NUC

There are currently three versions of NUC on sale now; Celeron, i3 & i5.

All are x86 64bit OS capable. You can install Windows 7, 8 or just XBMCbuntu or OpenELEC. It doesn't matter. But if you don't need Netflix, SkyGO, then stick with OpenELEC or XBMCbuntu. They even have the internal pin headers for extra USB ports, but also for power switch, LEDs etc. more on this later.

Celeron

Celeron - has intel HD graphics, can play everything XBMC can including 1080p SBS 3D. It will struggle with full frame packed 3D. Boot up time direct into XBMC is less than 10 seconds. You can easily build [as they come with nothing] a 32GB mSATA SSD [total overkill for an openELEC build as there are internal USB headers in these which you could use to put a USB memory stick in and run from that. But it'll never beat SSD, But if you want windows. It's the only way to go] plus 4GB ram total build for no more than £200. If you read the NUC thread, there are screen caps of prices to help you compare to today's prices.

Skins wise, running Confluence, Ace or Bello [any light skin] are wonderful to use and very fluid. Running Aeon Nox, MQ3, MQ4 [aka heavier skins] are smooth but not as fluid as what can be enjoyed on the i3 & i5 models. I'm not talking horrible but its not 100% instant. [yes I'm anal on my XBMC experience!]

i3

i3 - has intel HD4000 graphics. Hell, you could switch the graphic acceleration off this baby's so good! Does everything the Celeron can do and full frame packed 3D! But at the £100 premium on top of the Celeron. If you're not running windows with it and doing a bit of light gaming. Then there's [IMO] not much point to it.

i5

Coming soon?

i5 - these puppies have USB3 and USB2 ports. You can't boot from the USB3 ports using a USB drive, but you can boot using the USB2 ports. The i5 models have built in IR receivers.

Known issues

General

Missing internal USB header on some early models?

If you have a NUC and want to know if you have the usb header installed or not:

Look at the bottom of your unit, and locate the SA number (System Assembly) on the bottom of the NUC.

http://www.treasure-cove.net/nuc_sa.jpg

If you have:

SA ######-101 --> NO USB HEADER installed

SA ######-102 --> has internal USB HEADER

SA ######-103 --> has internal USB HEADER

SA ######-104 --> has internal USB HEADER

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-034370.htm

If your unit is still under warranty, visit - http://www.intel.com/support/mailform/desktop/nuc/emailsupport.htm

Send them all of the info about your unit,... Model# Serial# SA# , etc.

Be sure to fill in the description box, that you have a unit without the usb header, you want to use the headers as they were part of the reason you bought it. [For instance to fit your IR receiver inside] You've contacted the place you bought it from and they told you to contact Intel.

They'll arrange courier and you'll organise the where/when they'll collect it. Only send the mainboard, no case/accessories/etc.

Within 2 weeks. You'll have a factory fresh replacement and most likely in full retail box. So you might end up with a spare case!

Windows

  • Having graphical UI corruption with a NUC that uses Intel HD4000 graphics? Try these beta graphics drivers: 32-bit • 64-bit. [1]

Mods

You can mod several things on the NUC.

IR mods

Here's one user's mod to add IR: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=166886

He added http://www.simerec.com which is ON/OFF capability via remote, and added in IR from a Microsoft USB RC6 IR receiver. Plenty of pics and detailed description. Even the holes were covered with www.lightdims.com which worked fantastically.

Fanless cases

There are several fanless cases available for the NUC.

You can also buy fanless cases for these NUCs: http://www.impactics.com/d1nu1-b/

White model with RC6 USB receiver plugged into front of it: http://postimg.org/image/klk0h6yp3/

Other tips, tricks, and advice

Linux bootloader

info on what you choose when installing archboot when you do a UEFI install?

I used a GPT layout with GRUB as bootloader. Here's my partition info:

[code]$ sudo gdisk -l /dev/sda GPT fdisk (gdisk) version 0.8.7

Partition table scan: 

 MBR: protective
 BSD: not present
 APM: not present
 GPT: present

Found valid GPT with protective MBR; using GPT. Disk /dev/sda: 125045424 sectors, 59.6 GiB Logical sector size: 512 bytes Disk identifier (GUID): 783A3002-626F-49A1-85D1-12225885803E Partition table holds up to 128 entries First usable sector is 34, last usable sector is 125045390 Partitions will be aligned on 2048-sector boundaries Total free space is 4062 sectors (2.0 MiB)

Number Start (sector) End (sector) Size Code Name 

  1            2048            6143   2.0 MiB     EF02  BIOS_GRUB
  2            8192         1056767   512.0 MiB   EF00  UEFI_SYSTEM
  3         1056768         3153919   1024.0 MiB  8300  SWAP
  4         3153920       125045390   58.1 GiB    8300  BTRFS[/code]

The BIOS_GRUB partition is not really needed, I just added it in case I wanted to install to MBR and still use GPT. The UEFI_SYSTEM partition is mounted to /boot/efi. Look at the GRUB page in the Arch wiki, it has pretty good instructions.

Links

Random notes

Feel free to place various notes, tips, and links here. As this section of the wiki gets more organized, those notes will be properly sorted. Consider this like a dumping ground for when you're not sure where to put something.

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