Intel Dragon Canyon NUC 12 Extreme Mini Barebones PC: i7-12700, 2x DDR4 Slots $700 + Free Shipping

Cookieless

Sep 8, 2023 5:21 AM

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CookielessSep 8, 2023 5:21 AM

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Not to be an Alec, because I've always wanted to build a mini, but why is this so expensive? It doesn't seem to have any of the better specs.

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turbodog

Sep 8, 2023 12:32 PM

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turbodogSep 8, 2023 12:32 PM

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Extreeeeeeemmeeee!

turbodog

Sep 8, 2023 1:03 PM

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turbodogSep 8, 2023 1:03 PM

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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from Cookieless

:

Not to be an Alec, because I've always wanted to build a mini, but why is this so expensive? It doesn't seem to have any of the better specs.

Intel hardware is usually top quality and comes at a price premium, which is part of why these NUC's didn't sell all that well. This is a last gen non-overclockable i7 which is still a very capable processor. You would want to compare this to other barebones kits or a DIY combo of Case, MB, CPU, Cooler and PSU. For example just an i7-13700K and good mid-range MB will run you over $600. Here's an example build around $700:

PCPartPicker Part List [pcpartpicker.com]

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor [pcpartpicker.com] ($275.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition 42 CFM CPU Cooler [pcpartpicker.com] ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus PRIME Z790M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard [pcpartpicker.com] ($194.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Pop Mini Air MicroATX Mid Tower Case [pcpartpicker.com] ($89.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 750 GT 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply [pcpartpicker.com] ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $694.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker [pcpartpicker.com] 2023-09-08 09:10 EDT-0400

Last edited by turbodog September 8, 2023 at 06:11 AM.

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Cookieless

Sep 8, 2023 1:07 PM

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CookielessSep 8, 2023 1:07 PM

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Quote from turbodog

:

Intel hardware is usually top quality and comes at a price premium, which is part of why these NUC's didn't sell all that well. This is a last gen non-overclockable i7 which is still a very capable processor. You would want to compare this to other barebones kits or a DIY combo of Case, MB, CPU, Cooler and PSU. For example just an i7-13700K and good mid-range MB will run you over $600.

Really informative. Thank you!

2

xtreme571

Sep 8, 2023 1:29 PM

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xtreme571Sep 8, 2023 1:29 PM

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Quote from Cookieless

:

Not to be an Alec, because I've always wanted to build a mini, but why is this so expensive? It doesn't seem to have any of the better specs.

I'm a big fan of NUCs, but yes they're much more expensive than others like Beelink or other Chinese brands.

From my experience having used NUCs, Gigabyte mini PC, Beelink and AceMagician, I can contribute the price premium to much higher build quality than other brands and 3 year warranty/support. Intel also releases BIOS updates patching new vulnerabilities found. My NUC from 2017 had a vulnerability patched via BIOS 2 months ago.

Just my 2 cents.

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1

turbodog

Sep 8, 2023 2:00 PM

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turbodogSep 8, 2023 2:00 PM

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Quote from Cookieless

:

Really informative. Thank you!

Happy to help. DDR4 32GB is super cheap right now and this only supports 3200 so nothing exotic. NVMe drives are also dirt cheap, you could do a 2TB boot NVMe and a 4TB SATA. The tough call is GPU, I wouldn't go any less than a 4060 Ti (or 2080 Ti, or 3070) at about $400 or so. 3060/4060 is not enough, 4070 would be great if you could spend $600.

1

monster888

Sep 8, 2023 2:01 PM

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monster888Sep 8, 2023 2:01 PM

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Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from turbodog

:

Intel hardware is usually top quality and comes at a price premium, which is part of why these NUC's didn't sell all that well. This is a last gen non-overclockable i7 which is still a very capable processor. You would want to compare this to other barebones kits or a DIY combo of Case, MB, CPU, Cooler and PSU. For example just an i7-13700K and good mid-range MB will run you over $600. Here's an example build around $700:

PCPartPicker Part List [pcpartpicker.com]

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor [pcpartpicker.com] ($275.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition 42 CFM CPU Cooler [pcpartpicker.com] ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus PRIME Z790M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard [pcpartpicker.com] ($194.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Pop Mini Air MicroATX Mid Tower Case [pcpartpicker.com] ($89.99 @ B&H)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 750 GT 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply [pcpartpicker.com] ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $694.96
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker [pcpartpicker.com] 2023-09-08 09:10 EDT-0400

Part of the NUC appeal/niche is the small form factor. The case you listed is 36.4L vs 8L.

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MadPup

Sep 8, 2023 2:11 PM

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MadPupSep 8, 2023 2:11 PM

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Direct link...

https://www.newegg.com/intel-nuc-...6856102355

1

Cookieless

Sep 8, 2023 2:39 PM

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CookielessSep 8, 2023 2:39 PM

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Quote from xtreme571

:

I'm a big fan of NUCs, but yes they're much more expensive than others like Beelink or other Chinese brands.

From my experience having used NUCs, Gigabyte mini PC, Beelink and AceMagician, I can contribute the price premium to much higher build quality than other brands and 3 year warranty/support. Intel also releases BIOS updates patching new vulnerabilities found. My NUC from 2017 had a vulnerability patched via BIOS 2 months ago.

Just my 2 cents.

So it's worth it's weight because it's a higher quality compared to the competition?

xtreme571

Sep 8, 2023 3:05 PM

692 Comments

Joined Nov 2007

xtreme571Sep 8, 2023 3:05 PM

692 Comments

Quote from Cookieless

:

So it's worth it's weight because it's a higher quality compared to the competition?

In my experience, definitely. I'm on my 5th NUC or so. There's a reason people buy a Lexus that has a Toyota engine in it. To each their own.

Last edited by xtreme571 September 8, 2023 at 08:13 AM.

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silow

Sep 8, 2023 3:24 PM

996 Comments

Joined Dec 2011

silowSep 8, 2023 3:24 PM

996 Comments

I just recently built an 8L itx 13400 build for ~$600 and would have 100% bought this instead if it were available. In addition to the faster 12700, and build quality I would've also gained 2x TB4 and 10Gbe.

These NUCs are obviously niche and targeted towards buyers who will pay the premium for the form factor and Intel components.

1

-bruce-

Sep 8, 2023 3:30 PM

137 Comments

Joined Jun 2014

-bruce-Sep 8, 2023 3:30 PM

137 Comments

Intel NUCs are a worthwhile "deal" if:

- You value the size - it is smaller than you can build out of component parts.
* And you are going to install a graphics card - there are plenty of cheaper mini PCs that are this size or smaller that do not have a place for a graphics card.

- You value thunderbolt and/or 10G ethernet - these components come at a premium.

That's it. Premium size and premium connectivity. If you want basic parts, you can easily beat this price, I did rough math and came out with $550. And that's if you have no case or power supply to re-purpose ($275 processor, $25 cooler, $93 MB, $85 case, $71 PSU).

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Cookieless

Sep 8, 2023 3:40 PM

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Joined Nov 2016

CookielessSep 8, 2023 3:40 PM

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Quote from turbodog

:

Happy to help. DDR4 32GB is super cheap right now and this only supports 3200 so nothing exotic. NVMe drives are also dirt cheap, you could do a 2TB boot NVMe and a 4TB SATA. The tough call is GPU, I wouldn't go any less than a 4060 Ti (or 2080 Ti, or 3070) at about $400 or so. 3060/4060 is not enough, 4070 would be great if you could spend $600.

Can a 4070 fit in this? Aren't they.. Huge? 😰

Cookieless

Sep 8, 2023 3:42 PM

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Joined Nov 2016

CookielessSep 8, 2023 3:42 PM

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Quote from xtreme571

:

In my experience, definitely. I'm on my 5th NUC or so. There's a reason people buy a Lexus that has a Toyota engine in it. To each their own.

Ah, I totally understand! Thanks for the input. I've built much bigger rigs, but I want something I can lug around for Lan nights with the dudes. And because they're small and cute.

Needs more pink though 🤔

tribalnoise

Sep 8, 2023 3:52 PM

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tribalnoiseSep 8, 2023 3:52 PM

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Quote from Cookieless

:

Can a 4070 fit in this? Aren't they.. Huge?

a 4070 Founder's Edition will fit and still have room to spare.

Last edited by tribalnoise September 8, 2023 at 09:19 AM.

Intel Dragon Canyon NUC 12 Extreme Mini Barebones PC: i7-12700, 2x DDR4 Slots $700 + Free Shipping

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