Intel Skull Canyon NUC Review
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Promos
Intel has been pushing the "uncompromised performance" of their tiny new Skull Canyon NUC... So let's see how accurate those claims truly are! iFixit link: Use offer code LINUS to save $5 off a purchase of $10 or more at ifixit.com Cooler Master Store link: bit.ly Pricing & discussion: linustechtips.com Support us: linustechtips.com Join our community forum: bit.ly twitter.com @LinusTech Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com Sound effects provided by freesfx.co.uk
The Intel Skull Canyon NUC Review examines a pint-sized PC that aims to deliver desktop-class performance in a form factor small enough to sit on a desk or be mounted behind a display. The host emphasizes how tiny and light the Skull Canyon is, comparing its footprint to common objects to illustrate portability, while listing the inside-out components that make it a serious mini PC: a Skylake Core i7 6770HQ, Iris Pro 580 graphics, two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 32 GB, dual M.2 slots, and PCIe expansion possibilities. The review notes that the unit is a bare-bones kit, requiring users to supply their own storage and memory, which frames the price-to-value discussion later in the video. On the outside, practical features are highlighted, including a power button, SDXC reader, multiple USB 3.0 ports, a headphone jack, IR sensor, and a versatile rear I/O array with mini DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 2.0, gigabit Ethernet, and an option for external GPU enclosures via Thunderbolt, which broadens the potential use cases from home theater to compact gaming rigs. Moving to the platform, the host guides viewers through the Intel Visual BIOS and its extended options, including a range of overclocking settings, while cautioning that the Skull Canyon is designed as a compact system with a premium price. Benchmark results show strong CPU performance with 7-Zip and Cinebench R15, though not quite catching a high-end desktop, while gaming performance relies on the possibility of coupling with external GPUs. In practical gaming tests at 1080p, the iGPU manages playable frame rates in lighter titles and reasonable performance in more demanding ones with settings adjusted, yet thermal throttling and high temperatures are acknowledged, with the cooler and enclosure contributing to heat management challenges. The reviewer concludes that the Skull Canyon delivers substantial value for its size, especially when paired with external GPUs, and notes a premium in exchange for the reduced footprint, portability, and potential future-proofing through expansion options. A teaser about a follow-up video using an external GPU is included, alongside sponsor and affiliate disclosures, reinforcing the channel’s broader ecosystem of hardware coverage and community engagement.
Topics · hardware review · mini pc · gaming · computing
Questions answered
- What are the key hardware specs of the Skull Canyon NUC and how do they impact performance?
- The Skull Canyon NUC uses a Skylake Core i7 6770HQ, Iris Pro 580 graphics, two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots for up to 32 GB, and two M.2 slots, with rear I/O including Thunderbolt 3 and HDMI 2.0. This combination yields solid CPU performance for a compact system and capable integrated graphics for casual to moderate gaming, especially when paired with an external GPU via Thunderbolt. However, because it is a bare-bones kit, memory and storage must be supplied by the user, and thermal limits can constrain sustained heavy loads.
- Is the Skull Canyon a good value for gaming in its size category?
- Value depends on how much you prize size and expandability. The Skull Canyon offers compact form factor, a rich IO set, and the potential for external GPU upgrades, which can deliver strong gaming performance in a tiny footprint. Nonetheless, the price is higher than similarly configured mini ITX barebones builds without the skull aesthetic and without bundled storage or RAM, making it a premium choice for users who want portability and future GPU upgrade paths.