A Closer Look

ASRock's NUC BOX-1165G7 Barebones unit has much in common with the 4X4 BOX-4800U I reviewed previously. The overall design is essentially the same, with the system using a very glossy enclosure that won't really wow you in any way. That is not a slight against the system, and it's in fact meant for a more professional market, such as digital signage, office work, and kiosks, or as a home media system. In those situations, you don't want loud and in your face designs. Simple and nondescript is a safer choice. I wish the design weren't such a fingerprint magnet, though.


The front includes 2x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C ports with DisplayPort 1.4 support and a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A port, which will be ideal for external storage duties. Rounding out the front I/O is a combo audio jack for your headphone or microphone needs. The power button is in the top left, which is useful if the system is mounted to the back of a display, compared to the more traditional location on the front. A quick look at the left side shows venting for the cooling system.


Taking a look at the back, you will find 2x USB 3.2 Type-A ports, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0a, 1x 1 GbE LAN, 1x 2.5 GbE LAN, and the power plug. Overall, the system's I/O, while not incredibly plentiful, is quite versatile. Between the front and back, you have five USB ports comprised of three Type-A and two Type-C, with the Type-C offering DisplayPort functionality for a quad-display setup. Overall much like the 4X4 BOX-4800U, which was impressive in its own right, the NUC BOX-1165G7 is better in regards to I/O functionality.

Like the 4X4 BOX-4800U, the ASRock NUC BOX-1165G7 also has a vented opening on the right side, and like its sibling, it is pretty much blocked off. This means venting for the unit is limited. However, considering how well the 4X4 BOX-4800U performed, I am hopeful the cooling solution will prove adequate for the NUC BOX-1165G7.


The power adapter is from AcBel and has a maximum output of 90 watts.