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Background and Identification

The impressively titled “Next Unit of Computing” (or NUC for short) is a line of small-form-factor computers released by Intel starting in 2012. Intel NUCs consist of a case, a small motherboard, and a fan for cooling. NUC motherboards are usually built to measure 4 inches (10.2 cm) on each side, which Intel calls the “Ultra-compact form factor.“ Due to their small size and relatively low price, NUCs are often used for hobby projects, as home media players, or in offices or schools.

NUCs come in three varieties which suit different types of users.

  • Preassembled: the NUC comes prebuilt with memory, a drive, and a case
  • DIY: the NUC comes with a disassembled case and without any memory or drives (supply your own)
  • Motherboard: Intel sends just the motherboard

No matter how your NUC came from the factory, you can upgrade the memory and drives on most models, but the CPUs are soldered in place. NUCs can be mounted to a wall or to the back of some monitors using a standard 100mm or 75mm VESA bracket (as shown in this Intel article).

If you have an Intel NUC with a case, you can find the serial number on a sticker on the bottom of the device. If you have only a NUC motherboard, the serial number is printed on a sticker on the RAM slots. Intel’s stocking ID number (labelled “SA” or “AA”) is also located on the stickers. Enter these two numbers on Intel’s check warranty page to find your NUC model. You can see pictures of these numbers in this guide from Intel.

Additional Information

Intel NUC offical product page

Intel NUC on Wikipedia

Ultra-compact form factor on Wikipedia

NUC D54250WYK review by Anandtech

What can you do with a NUC article on Newegg

Intel NUC Kit DN2820FYKH with 2.5-Inch Drive Support Product Brief

Intel NUC Kit NUC5i7RYH User Guide

Intel NUC5i7RYH Core i7 Kit with M.2 and 2.5" Storage Product Brief

Intel NUC Kit DN2820FYKH User Guide

Intel NUC Kit NUC5i3RYH & NUC5i5RYH User Guide

Intel NUC Core i3 Kit NUC5i3MYHE and Board NUC5i3MYBE Product Brief

Intel NUC Core i5 Kit NUC5i5MYHE and Board NUC5i5MYBE Product Brief

Intel NUC Kit NUC5i3RYK & NUC5i5RYK User Guide

Intel NUC DE3815TYKHE Kit and DE3815TYBE Board Product Brief

Intel NUC D34010WYKH with 2.5-inch Drive Space Product Brief

Intel NUC Kit DC53427HYE Product Brief

Intel NUC Kit NUC6i3SYK & NUC6i5SYK User Guide

Intel NUC Kits NUC6i5SYK and NUC6i5SYH Product Brief

Intel NUC Kit DC3217IYE Core i3 Product Brief

Intel NUC Kit DC3217BY Core i3 Product Brief

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Intel NUC Kit DC53427HYE Installation Instructions (EN, ZH, RU, ES, FR, DE, IT, JA, KO, PL, PT)

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Intel NUC11PA Slim, Tall, and Wireless Charging Kit/Mini PC Technical Product Specification

Intel NUC11PHKi7C Kit and Mini PC Technical Product Specification, Revision 1.2

Intel NUC Kit NUC9 Series User Guide

Intel NUC Kit NUC8i7HNK & NUC8i7HVK User Guide

Intel NUC 13 Extreme Kit and Compute Element User Guide

Intel NUC Kit NUC10i7FNH/NUC10i5FNH/NUC10i3FNH User Guide

Intel NUC10i3FN/i5FN/i7FN Slim and Tall Kits, Mini PCs and Board Technical Product Specification

PTZOptics Producer and Producer Plus Kits Getting Started Video Guide

Intel NUC 12 Compute Element Product Specification, Revision 1.3

Intel NUC10i3FN/i5FN/i7FN Slim/Tall Kit, Mini PC and Board Technical Product Specification

Intel NUC Board/Kit NUC7i7DN Technical Product Specification

Taylor Dixon

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