Intel NUC 11 Extreme

Overview

Intel's NUC 11 Extreme Kit packs a ton of power via its innovative Compute Element module and full-monty GPU support, giving space-minded PC gamers and content creators a shoebox-size powerhouse.

-- As reviewed by PCMag

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Intel NUC 12 Extreme

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TechSpot Metascore

Based on 7 expert reviews

Excellent:

4
Good:

1
Average:

2
Bad:

0

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Last revision on January 5, 2024

Reviewers Liked

Excellent case cooling
Powerful Tiger Lake H processor
Very small for a gaming desktop
Generous port selection, including twin Thunderbolt 4
Modular Compute Element makes potential future CPU upgrades a single-card swap
Thoughtful design to squeeze in full GPUs
Three-year warranty

Reviewers Didn't Like

Expensive
Divisive RGB skull
No preconfigured models, only bare-bones form
More complex case layout than predecessor
Proprietary SFX-sized power supply

Competitors and Related Products

Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets.

Expert reviews and ratings

With great power comes a bigger size, and in order to accommodate the performance levels that Intel's NUC 11 Extreme brings with it, Intel has had to massively increase the size of its latest NUC. With the added space, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme offers a beefier power supply, space for a full sized high-end graphics cards and excellent storage expansion capabilities.

By TechRadar on August 30, 2021

Intel's NUC 11 Extreme is not a cheap system. It's designed to be compact, upgradable and highly serviceable. Unlike many other systems of this size, it can also have its CPU/motherboard upgraded with Intel's future NUC Extreme Compute Element cards. Ultimately, whether or not the NUC 11 Extreme is right for you depends on what you value. Yes, similarly powerful full-sized desktop systems will be cheaper to build, but with that comes a larger PC with more space requirements, and for many of us, the space savings offered by a NUC will be worth the additional investment.

By OC3D on August 27, 2021

Intel's NUC 11 Extreme Kit packs a ton of power via its innovative Compute Element module and full-monty GPU support, giving space-minded PC gamers and content creators a shoebox-size powerhouse.

By PCMag on July 29, 2021

Intel's vision for a world where desktop computers can be both powerful and tiny is slowly coming into focus. Now, with the NUC 11 Extreme, Intel finally has a beefy miniature PC that I could actually recommend (assuming you've got deep pockets).

By Engadget on July 29, 2021

Intel's NUCs were once undisputed as the most bleeding-edge, incomparable gaming mini-PCs. But despite its impressive hardware and neat modular riff on DIY building, Beast Canyon's growth in size, more fragile case, and proprietary power supply introduces weaknesses that give the competition an advantage.

By PCWorld on July 29, 2021

Intel's NUC 11 Extreme is easily the best ever designed, and its barebones price isn't too bad on the wallet either!

By TweakTown on July 29, 2021

The Intel NUC 11 Extreme Kit (Beast Canyon) is a miniature barebones desktop enabled by Intel's Compute Element and a case that fits discrete graphics cards. It's pricey for what it is, however.

By Tom's Hardware on July 29, 2021

The NUC 11 Extreme Kit has its place, but it's less of a full-on retail product than a proof-of-concept to inspire other manufacturers to offer sleeker NUC-based designs -- or to give twiddlers a box for fun and experimentation.

By cnet on July 29, 2021

All of that said, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme Kit is a fantastic machine for anyone who likes to build tiny PCs, and it’s a more robust, more powerful alternative to something like the Mac Mini. It’s reasonably priced compared to DIY alternatives, it looks cool, and while it may be a niche desktop PC, mini PC enthusiasts who already have the right parts for it should consider it over a traditional PC.

By Reviewed on July 29, 2021

Intel NUC 11 Extreme

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Intel NUC 12 Extreme

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