A Closer Look - inside

As the Intel NUC ships as a barebone, you still require memory, an SSD, and any mini-PCIe connectivity of your choosing. Simply remove the four screws to then pull the top cover off the device for full access to the interior. You can also take the solid aluminum ring that acts as a purely esthetic shell to the metal enclosure off at the same time.


The PCB has a standard header to connect power, reset, and LED leads to the board. This is because Intel also offers the exact same motherboard without a case, which allows you to go for your own chassis to even cool the entire system passively. Two SODIMM slots can also be found within. Each can hold modules of up to 8GB in density. The two mini-PCIe slots allow you to add your choice of storage and connectivity, like WiFi or Bluetooth. Intel has already pre-wired cables for additional connectivity, so there are antennas in place to that purpose.


If you are going to use the motherboard in an aftermarket chassis, simply remove two screws and pull the board out of the case. A notebook-style fan and heatsink is used to keep things cool under the hood.


This element is easily removed, which is important for those taking the all-passive cooling route through a chassis that acts as a massive heatsink.


Both the CPU and chipset take up the majority of the space on the PCB. Both of these are cooled by the fan and heatsink. Intel opted for thermal paste instead of, say, less effective frag tape. The one to the left is the QS77 chipset, and the longer one is the actual Intel i3-3217U processor.


An AsMedia ASM1456 IC is used to provide the SATA 6G connectivity, and a Nuvoton NCT5577D takes care of hardware monitoring the system.


Looking closer, you will also find an Intersil ISL95836 PWM controller IC and an Intel IC with a model number I could not decipher on the sample due to sloppy lasering on the packaging.

Assembly

Simply install the memory, the SSD, and any optional connectivity you require to create a fully functional system. This is easily done as Intel utilizes standard interfaces. Anyone who has ever upgraded a modern notebook should be able to complete this task with ease.