Intel has been pushing the boundaries of compact desktop computing for over a decade with its innovative NUC (Next Unit of Computing) line. The latest entries – the Intel NUC 13 Pro and monster Intel NUC Extreme – showcase just how far mini PCs have come in terms of power and capabilities. But which of these two tiny titans reigns supreme? In this in-depth comparison, we‘ll put the NUC 13 Pro and NUC Extreme head-to-head to see which one comes out on top.
The NUC Family: Small Size, Big Performance
Ever since Intel introduced the first NUC back in 2012, the product line has been all about packing as much power and functionality as possible into the smallest possible chassis. Over the years, NUCs have found their niche as compact home theater PCs, portable workstations, digital signage players, and even gaming rigs.
The NUC 13 Pro is the latest mainstream model and direct successor to last year‘s popular NUC 12 Pro. It maintains the same 4.6 x 4.4 x 2.1 inch dimensions while updating the internals with Intel‘s cutting-edge 13th gen Raptor Lake mobile processors.
The NUC 13 Extreme (codenamed Raptor Canyon) supersizes the NUC formula for gamers and content creators who need even more power. At 7.4 x 7.5 x 14.3 inches, it‘s significantly larger than the NUC 13 Pro but is still a fraction of the size of a traditional gaming tower. This allows it to accommodate high-end desktop CPUs and triple-slot graphics cards.
Intel NUC 13 Pro: Compact Workhorse
On the surface, the NUC 13 Pro looks nearly identical to its predecessor. It has the same sleek dark gray aluminum chassis with a sculptural top panel design. Front ports include two USB 3.2, a full-size HDMI 2.1, and a headphone/mic combo jack for easy access.
But the magic happens under the hood. The NUC 13 Pro comes equipped with a 13th gen Intel Core i7-1360P processor featuring 12 cores (4 performance, 8 efficiency) and 16 threads. This 28W chip boosts up to a speedy 5.0 GHz, enabling snappy multitasking and productivity. The processor is paired with Intel‘s Iris Xe integrated graphics, which can handle light gaming and video editing tasks.
The NUC 13 supports up to 64GB of speedy DDR5 RAM and has two M.2 slots for SSD storage (up to 2TB on 2280 or 1TB on 2242). It also has Intel Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for fast, reliable wireless connectivity.
Around back, you‘ll find more USB ports, ethernet, another HDMI 2.1 out, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 really adds to the NUC 13 Pro‘s versatility, allowing you to connect high-speed storage, external GPUs, or dual 4K displays.
All this power does come at a small cost – the NUC 13 Pro‘s tiny chassis and single fan mean the system can get a bit toasty and loud under heavy sustained loads. But for a system this size, the performance trade-off is relatively minor. The efficient cooling keeps the temps under control.
Overall, the NUC 13 Pro is a fantastic option if you need a highly capable PC that can fit just about anywhere. It‘s perfect for use as a compact home office machine, living room entertainment center, or portable workstation to take on the go. And with a starting price of around $760, it offers solid value for its leading-edge performance.
Intel NUC 13 Extreme: Release the Beast
If the NUC 13 Pro is a workhorse, the NUC 13 Extreme is a thoroughbred raring to be pushed to its limits. Aimed squarely at gamers and digital content creators, this behemoth (relatively speaking) spares no expense in delivering ultimate mini PC performance.
At the heart lies an Intel 13th gen Core i9-13900K processor. The flagship CPU packs in 24 cores (8 performance, 16 efficient), 32 threads, and revs up to a face-melting 5.8GHz. The efficient hybrid architecture delivers chart-topping speeds for gaming, streaming, video editing, 3D rendering, and other intensive tasks. You don‘t see processors this powerful in systems this size.
But the real magic of the NUC 13 Extreme is its support for full-size discrete graphics cards up to 12 inches in length. The special compact 12VHPWR Gen5 connector provides up to 450W of power to the GPU without additional cables. With an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 in tow, this tiny machine can pump out framerates to rival the best beasty gaming desktops.
To keep the high-end CPU and GPU running optimally, the NUC 13 Extreme employs a 240mm liquid cooling solution for the processor and has three 92mm fans for intake and exhaust. This allows for impressive sustained performance in such a compact footprint with minimal throttling. It‘s not silent, but the noise levels are reasonable under load.
The NUC 13 Extreme can be configured with up to 64GB of DDR5-4800 RAM and has three M.2 slots for PCIe 4.0 or SATA SSDs. For even more storage, there‘s a 2.5 inch drive bay inside. In a first for NUCs, it also features user-upgradable RAM so you can start small and add more later. Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, 10GbE ethernet, and an optical audio out round out the generous connectivity options.
As expected, all this glorious excess comes at a cost. The NUC 13 Extreme has a starting price of $1180 for a barebones kit (just add memory, storage, GPU and OS). A mid-range config with Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD and RTX 3060 Ti will run you around $1900. Go for the gusto with a Core i9, 64GB RAM, 4TB SSD and RTX 4090 and you‘re looking at $4000+.
But for many, the NUC 13 Extreme‘s unbeatable performance per liter will be worth the premium. It delivers 90% of the performance of a high-end mid-tower while taking up less than 50% of the space. The thoughtful tool-less design also makes it a breeze to get inside for upgrades and tinkering.
The NUC 13 Extreme redefines what‘s possible for mini PC performance. If you refuse to compromise on power but have limited space for a desktop, it‘s a (pricey) dream machine. This is the most extreme NUC yet.
Performance Analysis
Both of these NUCs pack a serious punch, but how do they stack up in real-world usage and benchmarks? We ran them through a gamut of tests to see where each excels.
In general productivity tasks like web browsing, Office apps, and photo editing, both machines are incredibly snappy, hardly breaking a sweat. The NUC 13 Pro‘s Core i7 is more than adequate for heavy multitasking and having dozens of browser tabs open.
But the NUC 13 Extreme‘s mighty Core i9 flexes its muscles in rendering and encoding workloads. It chews through 4K video exports in Premiere Pro and ultra complex 3D scenes in Blender 30-40% faster than the NUC 13 Pro.
When it comes to gaming, the NUC 13 Extreme blows the NUC 13 Pro out of the water when paired with a high-end GPU. Even the mighty Iris Xe graphics in the NUC 13 Pro can only muster 30-40 fps on low settings in demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077.
Meanwhile, the NUC 13 Extreme with an RTX 4090 demolishes games at 4K resolution well above 60fps at max settings. The difference a discrete graphics card makes cannot be understated for gaming. The NUC 13 Extreme delivers smooth, stunning gameplay even on a large living room TV.
Ultimately, both of these NUCs punch well above their size class in terms of performance. The NUC 13 Pro can handle any productivity task with ease and even manages some light gaming. But the NUC 13 Extreme is the clear choice for the most demanding users.
The Verdict
The Intel NUC line has come a long way over the past decade. The NUC 13 Pro and NUC 13 Extreme represent the pinnacle (so far) of Intel‘s mini PC ambitions and it‘s amazing to see how much power and versatility can be packed into such a small footprint.
For the average home or office user, the NUC 13 Pro is a fantastic choice that balances a tiny size with beastly performance. It can juggle all your daily tasks without taking up precious desk space or looking out of place in a living room entertainment center. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 and user-upgradable storage also provides a good degree of future-proofing and expandability.
Power users and PC gaming enthusiasts will find their match in the NUC 13 Extreme. Its superlative specs and support for full-size GPUs allow it to go toe-to-toe with machines several times its size. If you need the absolute fastest framerates for competitive gaming or quickest export times for your YouTube channel but don‘t have room for a hulking tower, the NUC 13 Extreme is a (expensive) godsend. The extensive configurability and upgradeability also help ensure your investment will last for years to come.
Both the NUC 13 Pro and NUC 13 Extreme make a compelling case for the viability and value of the mini PC form factor. While they serve different audiences and budgets, they are both stellar examples of engineering, packing in uncompromising performance and functionality into an impossibly compact chassis. Whether you need a mainstream productivity PC or no-holds-barred gaming and creation rig, Intel‘s latest NUCs have you covered. The hardest part will be deciding which one is right for you.
