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News

SNUC Moonstone R9 – Fast mini PC with an AMD Ryzen 9

The Moonstone from SNUC may look cute, but it can be quite a digital challenge. SNUC is a company that, as the name suggests, specializes in the production of mini PCs.

Moonstone R9 - AMD Ryzen 9 - mini pc performance

Read the original hardware.info post here.

Introduction

Small systems can evoke endearment. The Moonstone from SNUC may look cute, but it can be quite a digital challenge. SNUC is a company that, as the name suggests, specializes in the production of mini PCs. Until now, these machines were often based on Intel products. With this Moonstone, however, the brand opts for the red camp. We tested it in a variant based on an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS. That processor has eight powerful cores that can work on sixteen threads, in combination with an integrated GPU, the Radeon 780M.

When you see the box in front of you, it looks like two drops of water on the nucs based on an Intel processor. That’s not surprising, because just like with a regular desktop, you can simply exchange the motherboard. The housing measures 4 x 4 inches, which is about 10 x 10cm. 


There is also a slot for a MicroSD card.

All connections are within easy reach. On the front you will find two USB-A next to the on/off switch. One is a 2.0 copy, the other runs at 3.0 speed. On the back you will find two HDMI, a fixed 2.5-gigabit network connection, another USB-A 3.0, and two USB 4 in the C version. There is also a slot for a MicroSD card built in on the side. 

 

Technology

As mentioned, the heart of this model is the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS. That is a chip that rolls off the 4nm production line at TSMC. It is equipped with eight Zen4 cores and falls in the 45W class. The cores can work on two threads simultaneously. The processor also has a built-in Radeon 780M GPU with twelve CUs (768 shaders). This ensures graphic performance. The AMD CPU works together with DDR5 memory. Our test model was equipped with two Team DDR5-4800 modules of 8GB each. 

All this is combined with an OEM SSD from Kingston. It has a capacity of 256GB and a PCI Express 4.0 interface. You can also choose SSDs and memory with a different capacity via SNUC’s configurator. The prices for the larger capacities increase considerably. SNUC has installed a large cooling profile to allow the heat to flow away from the SSD. 


A large cooling profile has been fitted for the SSD .

The network facilities are arranged based on Intel products. An Intel AX210 controls WiFi and supports up to the 6E standard. The network port is also based on Intel and offers a speed of 2.5 gigabit. The system is supplied with a large 120W/19V power supply block. When idle the Moonstone consumes about 7 to 8 watts, under load this increases to an average of 68 watts, with peaks above 80 watts.

 

Performance

If we compare this SNUC with the previously tested Intel NUC 13 Pro based on Raptor Lake, an interesting picture emerges. In 3DMark, the AMD-based SNUC is much faster, but in PCMark 10 the picture is less clear. In that benchmark, the SNUC is faster in a number of tests, while in some other tests the Intel NUC wins. In Cinebench, AMD’s chip is a lot faster in multi-core, but in single-core it is outdone by Intel’s competitor. 

3DMark Intel NUC 13 Pro (Intel Core i7-1370P) SNUC AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS Performance difference (%)
3D Mark Time Spy      
Total score 1956 2799 43.10
Graphics Score 1715 2487 45.01
CPU Score 9764 9716 -0.49
PCMark 10 Extended      
Total score 5844 6770 15.85
Essentials 11985 10997 -8.24
App Startup Score 19206 15395 -19.84
Video Conferencing Score 8550 8533 -0.20
Web Browsing Score 10484 10126 -3.41
Productivity Score 8606 10387 20.69
Spreadsheet Scoring 7707 13744 78.33
Writing Score 8317 7851 -5.60
Digital Content Creation Score 7365 9073 23.19
Photo Editing Score 11114 13710 23.36
Rendering Visualization Score 4865 8841 81.73
Video Editing Score 7375 6162 -16.45
Gaming 4468 5446 21.89
Graphics Score 5808 70781 1118.68
Physics Score 22725 25869 13.83
Combined Score 1965 2423 23.31
Cinebench R23      
Multi 11834 15404 30.17
Single 1950 1822 -6.56

Because SNUC supplies the Moonstone R9 as a complete system, we also measured the performance of the 256GB SSD. In AS SSD the performance is very disappointing, but in ATTO a score is achieved that is excellent for a PCI Express 4.0 SSD. The throughput speed in the PCMark 10 test is average. All in all, it is not a special SSD. If you are a power user, we would put another one in this mini PC. 



Specifications

 Below you will find the specs of the SNUC Moonstone R9.

Brand model  SNUC Moonstone R9 (CBM3R9MS)
Processor AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS
Processor P cores 8
Processor E-Cores
Max clock frequency 5.2GHz
Built-in GPU AMD Radeon 780M
Type of working memory DDR5-5600 (supplied with 2 x Team 8GB DDR5-4800)
Memory slots 2 x SO DIMM
Storage 1 x PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 or 1 x SATA 600 M2.2242.
Comes with 256GB Kingston PCI Express 4.0 SSD
WiFi adapter Intel AX210
WiFi technology WiFi 6E
Bluetooth 5.3
Fixed network Intel I-225V (2.5 gigabit)
USB 1 x 2.0, 3 x 5Gbit/s
USB 4.0
HDMI 2
Audio 1 x 3.5mm
Dimensions 11.7 x 11.2 x 5.4cm

Conclusion

The SNUC Moonstone R9 CBM3R9MS with a Ryzen 9 7940HS is a very interesting machine. The base is fast and powerful. Because AMD’s processor has eight powerful Ryzen 4 cores on board, combined with the Radeon 780M, this is truly a small bomb. 

That bomb is ideally suited for relatively heavy tasks. Of course, the first thought that comes to mind is to use it as a desktop. If you are really demanding, we would replace the built-in SSD with a faster one.

The basis is very interesting, partly thanks to the AMD chip, but also because of the excellent connectivity, with USB 4, 2.5 gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6E. In short: there is little left to be desired. However, the device is not cheap. The configuration we tested, with 16GB DDR5 and a 256GB SSD, costs 1,136.19 euros. It can be purchased through the company’s website. 

 

News

SNUC Onyx v9 Review An Intel Core i9-13900H NUC

This new system has an Intel Core i9-13900H inside, giving it a total of 14 cores and 20 threads in a small and portable form factor.

SNUC's Onyx Intel i9/v9 with Windows 11 powerful small form factor PC, hands-on review by Geeky Gadgets, ideal mini workstation pc for gaming
Read the original servethehome.com post here.
by Patrick Kennedy – Dec. 8, 2023

Today we are going to take a look at the SNUC Onyx v9. This new system has an Intel Core i9-13900H inside, giving it a total of 14 cores and 20 threads in a small and portable form factor. Aside from the massive core count for a small system, we are going to take a look at the system and see what feels familiar and what is different in this generation.

SNUC Onyx v9 Overview

SNUC sent us the system to review and since we have done many of the systems in our STH Mini PC series with videos, we did one here as well:

As always, for the best viewing experience, we suggest opening this review in its own window, tab, or app.

The Onyx v9 system that SNUC sent was fully configured. This small system had its 13th Gen Core i9 processor but also had memory and storage.

SimplyNUC Onyx V9 Intel Core I9 13900H Internal Configured
SNUC Onyx V9 Intel Core I9 13900H Internal Configured

In the system, we have 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD. The system was also configured with Windows 11.

We are getting into this a bit later, but the price of the base system is around $999, which is not cheap. On the other hand, SNUC built much of its business by taking the base Intel NUCs and configuring them for business customers. After Intel discontinued the NUC lineselling it to ASUS, SNUC has had to go the extra step to produce its PCs. The Onyx v9 is the first NUC that we have reviewed since Intel exited the NUC PC business several months ago.

SNUC Onyx v9 External Hardware Overview

The front of the system is similar to previous generations from SNUC and should look familiar to those who have enjoyed the 4×4 mini PCs for generations. We get normal items like a combo headset jack and power button. We also get a USB 2.0 and a USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps port.

SimplyNUC Onyx V9 Intel Core I9 13900H Front
SNUC Onyx V9 Intel Core I9 13900H Front

On the side of the system, we get a Kensington lock port.

SimplyNUC Onyx V9 Intel Core I9 13900H Side 1
SNUC Onyx V9 Intel Core I9 13900H Side 1

On the other side, we get more than just venting. Instead, we get a microSD card slot. We wish this were a full-size SD card slot because it would be significantly more useful. One can adapt a microSD card to a SD card slot using an inexpensive adapter, but the full-sized SD card slot is too large to fit into the microSD card slot.

SimplyNUC Onyx V9 Intel Core I9 13900H Side 2 MicroSD
SNUC Onyx V9 Intel Core I9 13900H Side 2 MicroSD

On the rear, we get a few exciting features. We get two more USB Type-A 10Gbps ports along with two HDMI ports. The prominent feature, however, is the two USB4 20Gbps ports on the back of the system.

SimplyNUC Onyx V9 Intel Core I9 13900H Rear
SNUC Onyx V9 Intel Core I9 13900H Rear

 

News

ESXi on SNUC Moonstone

Moonstone is the latest 4x4 addition from SNUC, which is an AMD-based kit that includes support for the latest AMD Zen 4 (Phoenix) and Zen 3+ (Rembrandt R) processors.

Moonstone R9 - AMD Ryzen 9 - mini pc performance
Read the original williamlam.com post here.
by William Lam – Sept. 25, 2023

SNUC has been a long time partner/reseller of the popular Intel NUC platform for quite some time but over the past few years, they have expanded their portfolio to include additional 4×4 systems that are completely designed in-house by SNUC include TopazRubyCypress and Chapel Rock to just name a few.


Moonstone is the latest 4×4 addition from SNUC, which is an AMD-based kit that includes support for the latest AMD Zen 4 (Phoenix) and Zen 3+ (Rembrandt R) processors. The VMware Community has always been interested in an AMD-based kit but typically they do not work well due to the presence of a Realtek-based network adaptor, where drivers from Realtek does not exists for ESXi.

The first thing that caught my attention when I first heard about Moonstone was that this was an AMD kit that features an Intel-based network adapter as its primary network interface! 

This definitely took me by surprise, not sure if AMD was making any statements about their networking choices or simply diversifying their networking options? Either way, I was not complaining and I thought this might be the first real viable AMD 4×4 candidate, from a VMware perspective, in quite some time.


Thanks to the SNUC team, I did not have to wonder much more and I got the opportunity to put the Moonstone through its paces and see what it can do for the VMware Community!

Compute


On the outside, the Moonstone looks exactly like your typical Intel NUC 4×4 design and it definitely gave me  Intel NUC 11 Pro (Tall chassis) vibes. There are three different models of the Moonstone (R9, R7 & R5), with the higher-end R9 using the new AMD Zen 4 processor and the R7 and R5 using an AMD Zen 3+ processor.

  • CBM3r9MS
    • AMD Rzyen 9-7940HS
    • 8 Cores and 16 Threads
  • CBM3r7MS
    • AMD Ryzen 7-7735U
    • 8 Cores and 16 Threads
  • CBM3r5MS
    • AMD Ryzen 5-7535U
    • 6 Cores and 12 Threads

The Moonstone officially supports 96GB (DDR5 4800 SO-DIMM) memory with the R9 and 64GB (DDR5 4800 SO-DIMM) memory with the R7/R5. The R9 might be the very first 4×4 system that officially supports the new non-binary DDR5 48GB memory modules, even though the ASUS PN64-E1 was the very first platform that I was able confirm 96GB of memory was even possible. The Moonstone R9 fully recognize all 96GB of memory (Mushkin) which is great for anyone interested in running ESXi on the Moonstone! While I can not speak for the R7/R5 on whether 96GB of memory might work for those systems, this would be something to consider if you want a guarantee on a higher memory capacity system. As I have recently demonstrated with the Lenovo P3 Tiny, not all DDR5 capable systems will support the new non-binary memory modules.

Network


The networking as mentioned earlier is what really caught my attention with some of these newer AMD kits, which surprisingly uses an Intel network adaptor for its primary networking. The Moonstone comes with an Intel I225-V (2.5GbE), which ESXi fully recognizes as the required driver is now inbox with ESXi 8.0 and later. The chassis of the Moonstone is similiar to that of the “Tall” Intel NUC 11/12/13 Pro, which includes an expansion slot where you can add an additional 2.5GbE network adaptor.

At first, I was really happy to see that the Moonstone had simliar networking capabilities, that many of us have grown accustom to with the 4×4 Intel NUCs. However, after installing ESXi on the Moonstone, I noticed something odd with the additional network adaptor.

It turns out the network adaptor in the expansion slot is not actually connected using PCIe like an Intel NUC but rather it is using USB, which I thought was a peculiar design choice. The second and more important thing that I had noticed was that the second 2.5GbE network adaptor was not the same Intel I225-V but rather it was a Realtek-based USB network adaptor! Furthermore, because this was a USB-based network adaptor, it would not be recognized by ESXi out of the box unless you have the USB Network Native Driver for ESXi installed, which was exactly what I had setup not knowing that the driver would actually be required by the additional network adaptor.

I think the upside to this configuration is that if the network adaptor in the expansion slot was connected over PCIe, it would completely be unusable as Realtek does not provide any PCIe drivers for ESXi. I personally would have liked to see SNUC provide an Intel-based network add-on that uses PCIe instead, this way you have networking that ESXi can take full advantage of with no additional drivers. This  especially would have been useful for anyone looking to deploy VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) which requires at least two network adaptors (USB networking is not supported).

The Moonstone does also come with two USB 4 ports on the higher-end R9 model that you can add additional networking such as these Thunderbolt 10GbE solutions for ESXi or you can also look at adding more USB-based networking using the popular USB Network Native Driver for ESXi Fling.

Storage


The storage option on the Moonstone is not as expansive as I would have liked, especially using the taller 4×4 chassis. It only supports a single M.2 PCIe x4 Gen 4 (2280) which significantly reduces the storages options to just using VMFS storage as there is not enough storage devices to setup vSAN, which is a pretty popular deployment option. When compared with the “Tall” Intel NUC 11/12/13 Pro, it supports an additional M.2 PCIe x1 Gen 3 (2242) that could be used for vSAN which is not possible with the Moonstone.


With that said, if you would like to setup vSAN or add additional storage, the Moonstone does come with two USB 4 ports on the higher-end R9 model that you can use to connect some Thunderbolt M.2 NVMe solutions for ESXi. USB 4 is basically Thunderbolt 3 without the royalty fees being paid to Intel, so you get the exact same benefits as Thunderbolt 3 and if you are able to find any native USB 4 storage chassis, it can also extend the PCIe bus similiar to the screenshot above, which I was using a Netstor NA611TB3, which is a Thunderbolt 3-based unit. If you decide to go with the R7 or R5, there are no USB 4 ports and your only option for storage expansion is using USB-based storage for ESXi.

Security


I was hoping that the Moonstone might use a discrete TPM chip which ESXi requires for proper attestation capabilities but sadly it uses an fTPM, which is pretty common amongst consumer 4×4 systems including the Intel NUCs. In fact, the only 4×4 system that I am aware of today that provides a dTPM is the recent ASUS PN64-E1 and that is fully compatible with ESXi as it supports the FIFO protocol and not CRB, which you can see from the Moonstone BIOS settings. You most likely will want to disable the TPM device in the BIOS as you will not be able to use it and to get rid of the pesky messages from ESXi stating that it is unable to establish a connection with the TPM device.

Graphics


Depending on the specific Moonstone model that you choose, you will either have an AMD Radeon 780M, 680M or 660M iGPU respectively across the three models. One very important thing to be aware of with an AMD iGPU, which is something I came to learn about while working with other AMD kits is that when you passthrough the iGPU, it indirectly passes through the USB controllers as they seem to be wired up together internally.

This has a major implication if wish to use the expanded network adaptor that I had discussed above, because it is connected via USB, ESXi will not be able to use the network adaptor as it will also be passed through to the VM along with the iGPU, which is another unfortunate behavior of AMD-based kits. I do wonder if there are some internal limitations that these AMD 4×4 kits inherently have compared to a typical Intel system … 


I was able to successfully passthrough the AMD Radeon 780M to an Ubuntu 23.04 VM and the AMD graphics drivers was automatically picked up as you can see from the screenshot above. You will need to add the following VM Advanced Setting:

pciPassthru.use64bitMMIO = TRUE

or the VM will fail to power on.


On Windows, I was not as lucky and while I was able to passthrough the AMD Radeon 780M to a Windows 10 VM, after downloading and installing the Adrenalin Edition graphics drivers from AMD’s website, it fails to load as shown in the screenshot above. The error message is simliar to that of passing through an Intel iGPU to Windows VM with Error 43, so it seems AMD also has the the same fundamental graphics driver issues like Intel when using an iGPU on Windows.

ESXi


The latest release of ESXi 8.0 Update 1 installs fine on the Moonstone without any issues, no additional drivers are required as the Community Networking Driver for ESXi has been productized as part of the ESXi 8.0 release. With vSphere 8.0 Update 2 now officially available, I figured I would also put that to test and I am pleased to share that it also installs flawlessly on the Moonstone! If you want to install ESXi 7.x, you will need to use of the Community Networking Driver for ESXi Fling to recognize the onboard network devices.

As mentioned in the networking section, you will need to install the USB Network Native Driver for ESXi Fling if you add the additional network adaptor via the expansion slot, because it is connected via USB and hence it will be treated as a USB network device, which requires the driver to function.

Project Keswick

During VMware Explore US, I spotted a SNUC being used in the demo for the recently announced Project Keswick, I figured the Moonstone would make for another excellent candidate for running at the Edge, so I wanted to make sure it could also run Keswick!

 


As you can see from the screenshot above, I was able to deploy Keswick on the Moonstone and it successfully auto-registered with the Keswick Cloud Service, ready to deploy containers or VM-based workloads using GitOps!

 

News

SNUC Onyx NUC13OXv9 Review: 4×4 Mini PC with Intel Core i9-13900H

The SNUC Onyx range of mini PCs feature Intel’s 13th generation Raptor Lake “H” series processors and use the familiar 4×4 inch “NUC” form factor.

SNUC's Onyx Intel i9/v9 with Windows 11 powerful small form factor PC, hands-on review by Geeky Gadgets, ideal mini workstation pc for gaming
Read the original Lilyputting post here.
by Ian W. Morrison – Nov. 29, 2023

The SNUC Onyx range of mini PCs feature Intel’s 13th generation Raptor Lake “H” series processors and use the familiar 4×4 inch “NUC” form factor. They’re some of the newest systems from SNUC, a company that specialises in providing small form factor computing solutions for business and enterprise customers.The star of the lineup is the NUC13OXv9 model that sells for $999 and up, and features an Intel Core i9-13900H processor, making it one of the world’s first 4×4 NUC powered by an Intel Core i9 processor. We wanted to know what kind of performance users can expect from this small computer with such a powerful processor, so SNUC provided Liliputing with hardware for review purposes. The unit we tested was provided to Liliputing free of charge, without any requirement to return it, but this review is not sponsored by SNUC, and SNUC did not modify or approve the content of our review in any way.

Design & Specs

The SNUC Onyx has a 117 x 112 x 54 mm (4.61 x 4.41 x 2.13 inches) square plastic case with an internal metal frame for strength and rigidity. It has a detachable plastic top and metal bottom. As an actively cooled mini PC, it is available with a choice of either an Intel Core i5-13500H, Core i7-13700H or Core i9-13900H processor.

The review model’s Intel Core i9-13900H mobile processor has 14 cores in total, comprising of 6 “performance” cores which can boost to 5.40 GHz and 8 “efficient” cores which can boost to 4.10 GHz. Together they provide a total of 20 threads.

The processor also includes an integrated GPU from the Iris Xe Graphics family which has 96 execution units and a maximum dynamic frequency of 1.50 GHz. There is also support for vPro which enables remote access to the mini PC and is typically used by IT departments to manage the device and provide software and security updates.

Looking at the device front-on, there is a pin-hole digital microphone, a pin-hole illuminated disk activity light, a USB Type-A 2.0 port, a USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2×1 (10 Gbit/s) port, a 3.5mm headphone jack and an illuminated power button.

On the right-side there is a Kensington Lock slot.

There’s a microSD card port on the left side.

The bulk of the ports are on the rear. These include, from left to right:

  • 1 x power jack
  • 1 x USB4 Type-C port (above)
  • 1 x HDMI 2.1 port (below)
  • 1 x 2.5 Gb Ethernet port
  • 2 x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2×1 (10 Gbit/s) ports (stacked)
  • 1 x USB4 Type-C port (above)
  • 1 x HDMI 2.1 port (below)

There is also a removable plate which can be replaced with one containing additional ports for I/O expansion, although these are currently not available yet.

The plastic top, which has a dull matt and fingerprint-proof finish, can be removed simply by prising it off to expose a metal fan grill and two metal strips either side which form the Wi-Fi aerials.

Additionally, if Windows was purchased as part of the configuration, the Microsoft licence sticker will be found on the underside of the top.

Optionally the top can be replaced with one containing additional ports, again for I/O expansion, including further USB, Ethernet, HDMI, VGA or RS232 ports.

Turning the device upside down, once the four retaining screws with built-in rubber feet are loosened, the metal base can be carefully lifted off, as the underside is connected to the motherboard with a SATA ribbon cable. The base includes a metal heat sink and thermal pad to make contact with an M.2 2280 drive if present.

The base also includes a 2.5? SATA HDD (7 mm) slot. Attaching a drive is very easy as all that is required is to slide the drive into the bay. It can then be secured in place by replacing the four rubber grommets in the base with the screws included with the mini PC.

Helpful instructions are etched into the underside of the base plate as they are omitted from the Quickstart Guide.

The motherboard has dual SO-DIMM slots that support DDR5 memory.

For the review model they were populated with two Kingston 8 GB DDR5 5600 MHz sticks of memory configured to run at 5200 MHz, which is the highest speed supported by the Core i9-13900H processor.

There is also an M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe SSD slot which was occupied by a Kingston OM8PGP4256Q-A0 256 GB drive in the review model.

Underneath the NVMe drive is a M.2 2230 slot containing a Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675x (210NGW) card that also provides Bluetooth Version 5.3 (the LMP Firmware Version shows as LMP 12.13675).

The motherboard also includes several expansion headers including a USB 2.0 header, a USB 3.0 header, a COM header for RS-232/422/485 and most importantly, a 4-pin RGB header (although it is labelled as a second USB 2.0 header on the board).

The box containing the mini PC also includes the power supply and cable with a country specific plug, VESA mounting plate, a packet of screws and an English diagrammatic instruction sheet which is a very basic guide on how to set up the mini PC.

Unlimited performance?

It is well established that high powered processors produce a lot of heat. Mini PC manufacturer’s often employ Occam’s razor in addressing heat issues by simply reducing the processor’s power limits. With the NUC13OXv9, the default value for Power Limit 1 is set to 45 W which is the same as the “Processor Base Power”. The value for Power Limit 2 is set to 54 W even though the “Maximum Turbo Power” is 115 W.

As such, this will compromise the performance as it is leaving power on the table, in part however, because it just cannot use all of it due to limitations of the cooling system.

SNUC claims that “the Onyx delivers unmatched computing performance for modern business.” So far only two companies have released 4×4 inch “NUC” mini PCs with an Intel Core i9-13900H processor. Later I will cover the performance as measured by benchmarks and real-world experiences, and then look at verifying this claim through a comparison against the GEEKOM Mini IT13, which is the only other 4×4 “NUC” mini PC available with a Core i9-13900H processor.

But first, a brief discussion about the UEFI (BIOS).

Somewhat disappointingly it is just an Aptio configured version from American Megatrends. Unlike the later Intel’s NUC versions, which are polished and fine-tuned to the individual NUC model, and which are familiar to existing NUC owners, the NUC13OXv9 uses different keys to access and navigate.

Additionally there is nothing in the scant documentation provided with the mini PC that covers which are the most useful options available in it. In particular, from the Advanced menu page, under Power & Performance, there is a setting “PowerLimit Setting” where you can either manually set the Power Limits, or use one of the convenient preset modes of Silent, Balance or Performance.

Balance Mode is the default and will set Power Limit 1 to 45 W plus Power Limit 2 to 54 W, Performance Mode will set Power Limit 1 to 55 W together with Power Limit 2 to 64 W, and Silent Mode will set Power Limit 1 to 35 W and Power Limit 2 to 45 W to minimise the running of the fan. For anyone needing it, as the SNUC splash screen does not include any details, the Delete key gets you into the UEFI (BIOS) and the “Boot Menu” key is F7.

How it performs

The review model came with Windows 11 Pro Version 22H2 OS build 22621.900 which was activated once connected to the internet. However, I wanted to test using Version 23H2 and despite all updates being applied, I was not offered the required upgrade option.

So I forced the upgrade by downloading and running the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. Once upgraded and updated I was on OS build 22631.2715. But because Windows was installed with an OEM licence, the upgrade resulted in Windows reporting that no product key was found on the device, resulting in Windows no longer being active. It was necessary to prise off the lid to get to the Microsoft sticker, and then change the product key to the one originally installed as written on the sticker.

Now, with an activated Windows once again, I was able to personalise the layout and configure everything to my liking. I then shrank the Windows partition to create a new 50 GB partition into which I installed Ubuntu 22.04.3.

Some of the usual problem areas for mini PCs include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and audio output from the 3.5mm jack. But those all worked without any issues on both Windows and Ubuntu on the NUC13OXv9.

I started performance testing by using Crystal Dew World’s CrystalDiskMark to measure performance on Windows and a script using the “fio” or “flexible I/O tester command” to verify it on Ubuntu.

The drive’s performance was rather disappointing as the write speeds (? 1850 MB/s) were half the read speeds (? 3950 MB/s) and not as fast as expected from a PCIe Gen 4 drive. These speeds were also reproducible on Ubuntu confirming the drive’s slow writability.

For the micro SD card reader, I tested using both UHS-I and UHS-II cards. Unfortunately it didn’t really matter as the performance was even more disappointing than with the NVMe drive. Internally the NUC13OXv9 uses a Realtek USB 2.0 Card Reader which gave speeds of just under 30 MB/s for both read and write regardless of which card was used, and this despite “the mini PC with its powerful processor will save you hours when processing your photographs, only if you come back tomorrow after they’ve finished loading” said no one ever. If you want faster speeds it is better to purchase a USB 3.0 (USB 3.2 Gen 1×1) card reader as I was able to get ten times the speed compared to the included reader.

The USB Type-A ports all performed at expected speeds, although I did experience some difficulties in getting a good connection on the rear slots with cables whose metal sleeve was fractionally shorter than those that worked without issue. All the “problem” cables were longer than 12 inches (30 cm) and SNUC have advised that this might be the cause of the problem, which is a shame as they work with other devices.

The two USB4 ports are marked as 20 Gb/s however when tested on Windows they ran at 40 Gb/s.

Ubuntu was interesting as although they showed up as 40 Gb/s, with 2 lanes at 20 Gb/s, when a USB4 device was connected, it received data at 40 Gb/s but could only transmit data at 20 Gb/s.

The main inconvenience on Ubuntu was that whilst USB 3.x and Thunderbolt 3 devices were plug and play, USB4 devices only worked if they were plugged in prior to booting. This is currently an OS issue rather than a device/mini PC issue.

SNUC Onyx NUC13OXv9
Windows Storage
M.2 2280 NVMe SD UHS-I/II USB4 USB 3.2 USB 2.0
CrystalDiskMark
Seq1M Q8T1 Read 3938.89 29.14 3807.51 1065.45 44.16
Seq1M Q8T1 Write 1842.56 26.08 2980.10 1014.32 43.21
Seq1M Q1T1 Read 2443.61        
Seq1M Q1T1 Write 1846.15        
RND4K Q32T1 Read 669.79        
RND4K Q32T1 Write 475.74        
RND4K Q1T1 Read 81.22        
RND4K Q1T1 Write 349.25        

The “sbc-bench” results can be viewed online.

Whilst the Ubuntu results for the relevant benchmarks are similar to those on Windows, it must be noted that by default, Windows render uses Direct3D 11 graphics (Direct3D11) in the Heaven benchmark whereas Ubuntu uses Open Graphics Library (OpenGL) so a direct comparison cannot be made.

Interestingly, even just using Balance Mode, the NUC13OXv9 CPU Mark of 29862.6 is right on the average. The overall PassMark Rating is low however as it has been impacted by the performance of the NVMe drive whose Disk Mark was only 22823.1 due to the slow write speed.

For real-world testing of the integrated graphics, I played various YouTube videos in Edge on Windows and there were no issues encountered when playing videos up to 1080p 60FPS. However, from there up to 4K 60FPS, the videos kept dropping frames at a rate of between 1% and 2%. In contrast, Chrome had no issues. On Ubuntu, both Firefox and Chrome played YouTube videos flawlessly although I didn’t try any resolution greater than 4K 60FPS.

Networking is provided by either Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The 2.5 Gb Ethernet port when tested on Ubuntu averaged 2.22 Gbits/sec upload and 2.35 Gbits/sec download.

The Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675x (210NGW) card which supports dual-stream Wi-Fi in the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands, was also tested on Ubuntu by connecting to a Wi-Fi 6 router. The upload speed for a 2.4 GHz connection was 213 MBits/sec and the download was 191 MBits/sec. However, using the 5 GHz band the upload speed was a very impressive 1.40 GBits/sec with download at 1.46 GBits/sec.

A common criticism of some mini PCs is that the fan is loud. However loudness can be perceived differently by individuals for a number of reasons, the most obvious one being age. The frequency of a sound can alter both the perception of loudness and whether a sound is subjectively interpreted as being annoying. All of which is a long-winded way of saying what I hear may not be what you will hear.

Typically after booting, the fan starts and whilst idling, it cannot be measured by my sound meter next to the device, although a faint whirring sound can be heard. When under load, such as a stress test on Ubuntu, the fan noise increases and can reach up to around 40.9 dBA in Balance Mode.

Running a stress test in Performance Mode obviously generates more heat and the fan noise increases reaching up to 49.7 dBA. Silent Mode is just that. If you put your ear to the device you can just make out the fan operating very quietly.

Running a stress test is impressive because for the most part, the NUC13OXv9 stays silent. Although this mode relies on thermal throttling, occasionally it has to run the fan slightly faster for short bursts just to ensure the CPU temperature remains in the high 80s and below 90°C. These short couple of second bursts can be measured at around 31.4 dBA and are hardly noticeable.

To visually see the effectiveness of the cooling in Balance Mode, I monitored running Cinebench R23 Multi-Core on Windows.

 

I also ran a stress test of all cores on Ubuntu and recorded the key CPU numbers for Utilization, Frequency, Temperature and Power.

Once the temperature goes over 70°C the initial frequency drops from 3800 MHz to an average of 3500 MHz. Although the temperature continues to climb, it peaks occasionally at 80°C but stays at around 79°C.

Upping the Power Limits

Whilst the NUC13OXv9’s PassMark CPU Mark is already similar to scores reported for a Core i9 13900H processor, the Cinebench R23 Multi Core score of 15063 is low compared to the average reported on several websites: 17959 (Notebookcheck)17864 (NanoReview)18760 (CPU-Monkey).

So I set the PowerLimit Setting to Performance Mode and on running Cinebench R23 I got a Multi Core score of 17237, which is still slightly lower. I then manually set both Power Limit 1 and 2 to 80 W, to see the effect on the score. It improved to 17815 which is still just shy of the reported averages. I then reran the benchmark with monitoring on, which showed that the maximum temperature hit 93°C.

During both runs the fan noise reached 53 dBA and subjectively it was loud but in an acceptable way. Realistically, the Performance Mode setting is perfectly adequate to provide the balance of power versus noise, whilst still leaving some headroom for anyone wanting to push performance a little bit further using manual settings.

Whilst running in Performance Mode might be good for generating high CPU benchmark scores, I really wanted to see how it would affect office productivity activities. So for this I ran the Procyon benchmark which, as a reminder, measures various tasks using Microsoft’s Excel, Work, Powerpoint and Outlook. Interestingly the overall score was 7746 which is a drop of 2.5% from the Balanced Mode score of 7947. I thought this might be attributable to a benchmark margin of error, however after repeating the benchmarks several times it definitely gives a slightly lower score in Performance Mode.

The CPU improvements were also seen on Ubuntu. Running the PerformanceTest benchmark showed an increased CPU Mark from 30351 to 32474, and after running Geekbench, the Multi-Core improved from 12340 to 13002.

Adding an eGPU

Given the NUC13OXv9 has two USB4 ports, I was interested to see whether an eGPU would work given the confusion over the speed of the ports, and also what the performance might be like. I connected my self-made eGPU which consists of a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 housed in a ADT-Link K43SG and connects via a USB4 M.2 NVMe Enclosure and a USB4 cable.

The first game I tried was Shadow of the Tomb Raider selecting “Quality” for DLSS and the “High” preset for Graphics. Running the built-in benchmark resulted in an average FPS of 101 and the game was 100% GPU bound. Not surprising since I was only using an RTX 3050. Next I ran the Horizon Zero Dawn benchmark using the Preset “Favor Quality” and got an average FPS of 70. Finally I ran the benchmark in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. Using just the default settings I got an average of 55 FPS with the GPU causing 99% of the bottlenecks.

Obviously if you can afford the NUC13OXv9 you would probably be pairing it up with a better graphics card, which, based on the results seen here, would make for very good gaming performance.

How does it stack up?

The claim was “the Onyx delivers unmatched computing performance for modern business” so I feel it is justified to compare the NUC13OXv9 with the other Intel Core i9 mini PC on the market: the GEEKOM Mini IT13. Tabulating the results I got from running the same set of benchmarks under similar conditions on each device with default settings, shows the following:

Windows Benchmarks
  SNUC Onyx
NUC13OXv9
GEEKOM
Mini IT13
Variance
Default
(PL1=45 & PL2=54)
Default
(PL1=35 & PL2=80)
PerformanceTest 11.0
PassMark Rating 5651.2 5649.8 -0.02%
CPU Mark 29862.6 25578.6 -14.35%
2D Graphics Mark 942.3 593.5 -37.02%
3D Graphics Mark 3967.1 3760.5 -5.21%
Memory Mark 3733.4 3998.3 7.10%
Disk Mark 22823.1 38218.3 67.45%
3DMark
Night Raid Score 22207 19680 -11.38%
Graphics score 24959 22142 -11.29%
CPU score 13669 12075 -11.66%
Fire Strike Score 6050 5414 -10.51%
Graphics score 6452 5833 -9.59%
Physics score 27210 23646 -13.10%
Combined score 2298 2010 -12.53%
Procyon
Office Productivity score 7947 8251 3.83%
Word score 7664 7578 -1.12%
Excel score 8147 8616 5.76%
PowerPoint score 8153 8545 4.81%
Outlook score 7725 8366 8.30%
CINEBENCH R23
CPU (Multi Core) 15063 13089 -13.10%
CPU (Single Core) 2048 2048 0.00%
CINEBENCH 2024
CPU (Multi Core) 827 699 -15.48%
CPU (Single Core) 121 121 0.00%
Geekbench 6.2.1
Single-Core Score 2830 2846 0.57%
Multi-Core Score 12499 12077 -3.38%
OpenCL Score 17298 16253 -6.04%
Unigine Heaven 4.0
FPS 66.8 60.2 -9.88%
Score 1683 1515 -9.98%

 

Ubuntu Benchmarks
  SNUC Onyx
NUC13OXv9
GEEKOM
Mini IT13
Variance
Default
(PL1=45 & PL2=54)
Default
(PL1=35 & PL2=80)
PerformanceTest 11.0
CPU Mark 30351 25518 -15.92%
Memory Mark 3731 4020 7.75%
Geekbench 6.2.1
Single-Core Score 2777 2765 -0.43%
Multi-Core Score 12340 11787 -4.48%
Unigine Heaven 4.0
FPS 61.3 54.8 -10.60%
Score 1545 1380 -10.68%

Some may (and will) argue it is an unfair comparison as the Power Limits are different. The counter argument is: this is how the devices are shipped by the manufacturer and given there is no advice provided with either device on changing the Power Limits, it must be assumed that this is how the manufacturer’s see the performance of the device for the majority of usage cases.

Certainly the CPU and GPU benchmarks seem to favour the NUC13OXv9 whereas the office related tasks as measured by Procyon are better on the Mini IT13. However I believe there is a reason for this.

SNUC have basically shot themselves in the foot with their choice of NVMe drive. If just these office tests were repeated having switched the drives around, it would be interesting to see the result. Unfortunately it is not that easy to do so without spending time with reinstallations and driver updates on both machines. So whether it stacks up or not, I’ll let you decide in the comments.

Power Usage

Power consumption, rounded to the nearest Watt, was measured as follows:

  • Powered off (shutdown) – 1 Watts
  • UEFI (BIOS) – 20 Watts
  • GRUB menu – 39 Watts
  • Idle – 13 Watts (Windows) and 9 Watts (Ubuntu)
  • CPU stressed* – 82 Watts (Windows “cinebench”) and 77 Watts (Ubuntu “stress”)
  • Video playback** – 30 Watts (Windows Edge 4K60fps) and 30 Watts (Ubuntu Firefox*** 4K60fps)
  • Maximum power reading observed.
    ** The power figures fluctuate so the value is the average of the median high and median low power readings.
    *** Chrome browser power usage on Ubuntu is much higher at 44 Watts.

Verdict

The SNUC Onyx NUC13OXv9 has a lot to offer, especially for the business community. Importantly it supports vPro and comes with a three year warranty which are two criteria that typically rule out most “Chinese” mini PC alternatives. Using DDR5 makes it future proof memory-wise, although that did impact the relevant benchmarks but this could just be related to how those scores are calculated.

The faster than Gigabit Wi-Fi was impressive and shows that the design and layout of the aerials is spot on. But above all, it was the effectiveness of the cooling coupled with the quietness of the fan that makes this mini PC so good.

But, there is room for some improvements. The terrible M.2 NVMe drive should be replaced with one whose write speeds at least match its read speeds and that both are faster than PCIe Gen 3.

The UEFI (BIOS) is very different both visually and with the short-cut keys for anyone used to an Intel NUC. This may be a compatibility issue for any company that has written IT operations manuals or user documentation, and who would be reluctant to either rewrite it or modify it to cater for multiple devices. Not only that, but the existing support documentation on SNUC’s website aligns with Intel NUCs and needs to be updated to support the NUC13OXv9. Finally, having the speed of the USB4 ports labelled as 20 Gb/s when they function at 40 Gb/s in Windows is somewhat confusing.

It is also unclear who is responsible for support when connecting USB4 devices to them on Ubuntu given there are a couple of issues. SNUC has clarified that the labelling is due to certification purposes and that whilst the processor does support Thunderbolt capabilities, the ports do not have Thunderbolt certification. However the labelling is the “USB 20Gbps Port Logo” which is one of the USB Performance Logo trademarks owned by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). The USB Performance Logo Usage Guidelines state that using the 40Gbps logo must have been “submitted to and passed the USB 40Gbps Test Procedure, and has been posted on the USB-IF Integrators List”. So one can only assume that the USB4 ports have just a “20Gbps” certification at this point.

The high price for the NUC13OXv9 will likely be the barrier that prevents potential consumer sales. People may prefer to wait to see what ASUS offers, or hold out for a Core i9-14900H or even a “Meteor Lake” processor which Intel is rumoured to be close to launching.

I’d like to thank SNUC for providing the review unit. It’s available for purchase from SNUC’s website, and prices for a SNUC Onyx system with a Core i9-13900H processor start at $999 for a model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The configuration featured in this review (91R-WH28-001) costs $1239.00.

News

SNUC® Launches Bloodhound: Revolutionizing IoT and Edge Computing Solution

SNUC unveils Bloodhound, an ultra small form factor rugged computer, featuring cutting-edge technology. Bloodhound is not just a computing device; it's a transformative solution for modern IT demands.

Bloodhound - rugged computer - small form factor rugged pc - edge computing pc - IOT applications - internet of things mini pc

SNUC unveils Bloodhound, an ultra small form factor rugged computer, featuring cutting-edge technology.

AUSTIN, Texas; BELFAST, United Kingdom; DUNLEER, Ireland; November 13,2023

SNUC, Inc, a leading customized mini PC solutions company, proudly announces the launch of Bloodhound, the game-changing small form factor PC specifically developed to elevate any IT infrastructure at the edge. Bloodhound is more than just a computer device; it’s an essential rugged component designed to last in harsh environments, offering an array of capabilities from network security to edge computing and IoT analysis.

With an Intel Celeron N5105 CPU and the ability to support up to 32GB of RAM, Bloodhound ensures lightning-fast operations and computing performance. Bloodhound’s 8TB capacity provides ample storage and flexibility, effortlessly handling bulk data or storing local CCTV footage.

“Bloodhound is not just a computing device; it’s a transformative solution for modern IT demands,” said Jonny Smith, CEO at SNUC. “It’s built to meet the rigorous demands of edge computing, IoT gateways, and more, empowering our customers’ computing needs to excel in any environment.”

Bloodhound is designed for rugged deployments, featuring three 2.5Gb LAN ports, offering versatility to connect multiple IP devices. With the built-in PoE+ on the primary LAN port, it streamlines cabling while enabling connectivity to network devices. Its slim form factor and VESA mount enable easy integration into hard-to-reach places while ensuring accessibility through the front panel header for external power sources and status LEDs.

At just under 0.5L, Bloodhound’s fanless, all-metal chassis with no moving parts ensures long-lasting reliability. Rated at IP53 and rigorously tested for 24/7 operations over temperatures ranging from 0-60°C, it’s the ideal choice for diverse environments, from dusty warehouses to factory floors to outdoor installations with spraying water. Bloodhound is built to endure, regardless of the challenges. 

Get in touch with our dedicated sales team at sales@snuc.com to discover how Bloodhound can revolutionize your computing experience today.

Formed in 2015 and headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, SNUC, Inc. is a global systems integrator and OEM specializing in mini computers. SNUC provides fully configured, warrantied, and supported mini PC systems to businesses and consumers, as well as end-to-end NUC project development, custom operating system installations, and NUC accessories. For more information about SNUC visit www.simplynuc.com.

 

News

SNUC® Presents Zircon the New Standard of Affordable Computing Powered by Intel’s N95 Processor

With its exceptional performance and an array of connectivity options, Zircon sets a new standard for affordable computing in a compact form factor, making it an indispensable component for IT deployment.

Zircon Intel N95 - mini computer pc - smart home mini computer - compact mini pc

SNUC unveils Zircon: a cost-effective NUC and easy to deploy component of any IT project, no matter the size.

AUSTIN, Texas; BELFAST, United Kingdom; DUNLEER, Ireland; October 3, 2023

What is the value proposition of the Intel N95 processor for budget-conscious businesses?

The Intel N95 processor offers a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious businesses by delivering modern quad-core performance and excellent energy efficiency at a fraction of the cost of higher-end CPUs. This makes it the ideal choice for deploying large fleets of units in applications like entry-level digital signage, thin clients, and general office productivity tasks.

Key Business Applications for Affordable Mini-PCs (Zircon):

  • Digital Signage and Kiosks: Provides sufficient graphical power to run 4K content and interactive media displays reliably in a 24/7 commercial setting.
  • Office Productivity and Thin Clients: Acts as a highly capable and energy-efficient workstation for basic tasks, email, web browsing, and remote desktop access.
  • IoT Gateways and Controllers: Functions as a low-cost, low-power controller for industrial IoT applications, managing sensor data collection and basic local processing.
  • Education and Training Labs: Offers an affordable and durable computing platform suitable for classroom environments and student-accessible computer labs.

 

AUSTIN, Texas; BELFAST, United Kingdom; DUNLEER, Ireland SNUC, Inc, a leading mini PC solutions company, announced the launch of Zircon, a mini PC featuring Intel’s powerful N95 processor. With its exceptional performance and an array of connectivity options, Zircon sets a new standard for affordable computing in a compact form factor, making it an indispensable component for IT deployments of any size.

“We are excited to introduce Zircon as an essential piece for our customers’ IT deployments,” said Jonny Smith, CEO at SNUC. “Zircon’s exceptional performance at an affordable price point with customization options make it the go-to solution for businesses looking to maximize their computing capabilities without breaking the bank.”

Priced at $199, the Zircon NUC comes preconfigured with 8GB of DDR4-3200 RAM and a 256GB SATA SSD. It is now available for pre-order on SNUC’s global websites. For further customization options, you can contact the SNUC sales team. Find more information about Zircon by visiting our Zircon page.

Equipped with dual HDMI 2.0, quad USB Type-A, a USB Type-C, and 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, Zircon provides a diverse set of I/O options to ensure seamless connectivity. Additionally, SNUC offers custom branding and imaging services, enabling businesses to personalize their Zircon units according to their unique requirements.

In the era of artificial intelligence and machine learning, Zircon shines as an affordable solution to drive your AI and ML initiatives. Whether you’re a tech-savvy consumer looking to integrate smart home features, a multinational enterprise seeking low-cost edge devices, or a retailer in need of entry-level media players, Zircon’s N95 processor delivers cost-effective computing power. Its compact design and built-in Intel GNA co-processor for audio and speed-centric AI workloads make Zircon an ideal choice for entry-level AI and ML clusters. With Intel AC 7265 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and a 2.5Gb LAN port, Zircon provides multiple connectivity options to ensure seamless data transfer. The included VESA kit allows for easy mounting on monitors, workbenches, or walls.

Powered by a quad-core Intel Alder Lake-N processor, Zircon offers outsized computing power and performance. Backed by SNUC’s 3-year warranty, Zircon ensures long-lasting performance and peace of mind. Whether Zircon is leveraged for kiosks, intelligent vending machines, digital signage, IoT devices, or edge computing solutions with remote monitoring and predictive maintenance, its affordability and reliability make it the go-to choice for businesses of all kinds.

Formed in 2015 and headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, SNUC, Inc. is a global systems integrator and OEM specializing in mini-computers. SNUC provides fully configured, warrantied, and supported mini PC systems to businesses and consumers, as well as end-to-end NUC project development, custom operating system installations, and NUC accessories. For more information, visit SNUC.

News

SNUC® Unveils the World’s First 4×4 NUC Powered by an Intel® Core™ i9 Processor

Onyx is the culmination of customer-driven innovation and sets the new standard for ultra-small form factor compute power and performance.

Onyx Intel i9 NUC small form factor mini PC workstation for gaming

Featuring Intel’s 13th Gen Raptor Lake 45W processors and kept cool with SNUC’s Dual Exhaust Cooling solution, the Onyx NUC delivers a performance level never achieved before in a 4×4 inch chassis.

AUSTIN, Texas and BELFAST, United Kingdom and DUNLEER, Ireland, Aug. 23, 2023 — In a groundbreaking leap forward for small form factor computing, SNUC, Inc, a leading mini PC solutions company, is thrilled to announce the launch of a new product family called Onyx. Powered by Intel’s 13th Gen Raptor Lake “H” series processors, Onyx is the world’s first 4×4 NUC to feature a Core i9 option. With support for up to an unprecedented 96GB of DDR5-5200 memory, up to 16TB of storage, and never before seen benchmark results, Onyx delivers unmatched computing performance for modern business.

“With the launch of Onyx we’re redefining what is possible from a 4×4 NUC,” said Jonny Smith, Co-CEO at SNUC. “Onyx is the culmination of customer-driven innovation and sets the new standard for ultra-small form factor compute power and performance.”

The launch of the Core i9-powered 4×4 NUC marked a significant victory for small form factor enthusiasts and professionals, offering unprecedented desktop-level performance in a compact chassis. To see how this powerful hardware performs under real-world testing conditions, you can read the detailed Onyx V9 review by independent sources, which verifies the thermal efficiency and sustained output of the Intel Core i9-13900H processor.

Starting at $699, four Onyx models will be available for pre-order from SNUC starting next week. Powered by Intel’s 13th Gen Raptor Lake 45W processor, the Onyx product line delivers powerful processing capabilities for even the most demanding workloads. The NUC13OXv9 model featuring the 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-13900H processor with Intel® vPro® Technology on the high-end pushes the boundaries of what is possible in a compact 4×4 inch chassis. To accommodate a variety of price points, more cost-effective options are also available with the NUC13Oxi7, NUC13OXv5, and NUC13OXi5 models with the entry level based on the 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-13500H processor. Units are expected to begin shipping in September. More information on the Onyx product line can be found at: Onyx.

Select Onyx SKUs come equipped with Intel vPro technology, enabling remote management of computer fleets and ensuring secure communications across networks. Businesses can confidently rely on Onyx’s uncompromised and highly reliable 24/7 processing power, providing a significant edge in today’s competitive landscape. Initial Onyx SKUs will come in a taller chassis providing for I/O expansion and 2.5-inch SSDs, but low-profile versions of Onyx are planned in the near future. In addition, SNUC plans to offer Onyx NUC kits through their channel partners later this year.

The Onyx NUC features dual HDMI 2.1 ports, dual USB 4.0 Type-C ports, and a 2.5Gb Ethernet port. Designed with flexibility in mind, Onyx enables users to expand its feature set to match their specific needs. The rear I/O expansion panel and replaceable lid offer a wide range of additional I/O options, such as USB, HDMI, LAN, or serial ports. This adaptability makes Onyx the ideal choice for office workstations, on-prem heavy edge computing, robotics, sophisticated IoT networks, and much more.

The launch of the Core i9-powered 4×4 NUC marked a significant victory for small form factor enthusiasts and professionals, offering unprecedented desktop-level performance in a compact chassis. To see how this powerful hardware performs under real-world testing conditions and verify its thermal management, read the detailed Onyx NUC13OXV9 technical review. To see how this powerful hardware performs under real-world testing conditions and verify its thermal management, read the detailed Onyx V9 review, an Intel Core i9-13900H NUC.

Formed in 2015 and headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, SNUC, Inc. is a global systems integrator and OEM specializing in mini computers. SNUC provides fully configured, warrantied, and supported mini PC systems to businesses and consumers, as well as end-to-end NUC project development, custom operating system installations, and NUC accessories. For more information about SNUC visit snuc.com.

To keep up to date with the latest information from SNUC, check out our latest news articles.

Announcements

SNUC® to Double Down on Continued NUC Innovation and Growth

On the heels of Intel’s announcement to stop investment in the NUC product line, SNUC is ready to take the lead.

On the heels of Intel’s announcement to stop investment in the NUC product line, SNUC is ready to take the lead.

AUSTIN, Texas; BELFAST, United Kingdom; DUNLEER, Ireland; July 11, 2023; SNUC, Inc, a leading mini PC solutions company, announced they are prepared to continue ramping their investment in mini PCs and the NUC product line as Intel has announced their intentions to stop investment in this area and pivot their strategy to enable ecosystem partners to continue NUC innovation and growth.

“I am privileged to have helped start up the NUC business at Intel,” said John Deatherage CMO of SNUC. “SNUC has a strong portfolio of branded products and remains 100% focused and committed to delivering small form factor solutions.”

Over the last eight years, SNUC has been building up a comprehensive portfolio of OEM branded products with the initial intent of filling gaps in Intel’s NUC portfolio with product lines like the fanless Porcoolpine and Everglades, and long-life mini PCs with a
seven-year supply commitment. Subsequently SNUC launched standard 4×4 Intel-based NUCs with Topaz and Emerald, and AMD-based minis with the Ruby product lines.

“We’ve come a long way with our own branded product lines,” said Aaron Rowsell co-CEO of SNUC. “This year, I’m excited to say we’ve been pushing the envelope of innovation with AMD-based Moonstone – the highest performing 4×4 mini PC to ever launch; and we are working on an Intel-based 4×4 product line which will launch later this year that will achieve a completely new tier of NUC performance. With SNUC, we’ve got you covered.”

Formed in 2015 and headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, SNUC, Inc. is a global systems integrator and OEM specializing in mini computers. SNUC provides fully configured, warrantied, and supported mini PC systems to businesses and consumers,
as well as end-to-end NUC project development, custom operating system installations, and NUC accessories. For more information about SNUC, visit www.simplynuc.com.

Contact: John Deatherage, CMO, johnd@simplynuc.com

News

SNUC® Launches Moonstone, the Best Performing 4×4 Mini PC on the Market

Equipped with the latest AMD Ryzen™ 7000 processors in a compact 4x4 design with an innovative cooling solution, Moonstone delivers top-tier computing performance for a wide range of usages.

Take your performance to the moon with SNUC’s Moonstone mini PC featuring AMD Ryzen™ 7000 series processors and RDNA-based Radeon™ Graphics.

AUSTIN, Texas; BELFAST, UK; DUNLEER, Ireland, June 13, 2023

SNUC, Inc, a leading mini computer solutions company, today announced a new SNUC designed and branded mini PC product family called Moonstone. Equipped with the latest AMD Ryzen™ 7000 processors in a compact 4×4 design with an innovative cooling solution, Moonstone delivers top-tier computing performance for a wide range of usages. Supporting up to 64GB of DDR5-4800 high-speed RAM and up to 16TB of storage, Moonstone will increase your computing output while keeping a minimal footprint on both your desk and energy bill.

“Perfect for working or gaming, we saw an opportunity to set the new standard of innovation-driven mini PC performance,” said Aaron Rowsell, SNUC co-CEO, “Moonstone is the highest performing 4×4 ever launched.”

Starting at $699, three Moonstone models are now available to preorder from SNUC across their global sites, with units expected to ship in July. The CBM3r9MS model based on the 45W AMD Ryzen 7940HS processor is intended for usage where high computing performance is desired such as workstation applications and AAA gaming. To accommodate a variety of price points, more cost-effective options are also available with the CBM3r7MS model based on the AMD Ryzen 7735U processor and the CBM3r5MS model based on AMD Ryzen 7535U processor. More information on the Moonstone product line can be found at our: Moonstone page.

Moonstone harnesses Radeon™ graphics to deliver the best visual experience possible from a small form factor PC, with features like DirectX® 12 Ultimate allowing ray tracing and AMD FidelityFX, an open-source image quality toolkit, both to expand and enhance graphics-heavy workloads and gaming experiences. Moonstone also features dual HDMI 2.1 ports and dual USB-C with Alt-DP ports, allowing crystal clear graphics on up to four 4K displays or a single 8K display.

Peripherals can easily be connected via the four USB-A ports, 2.5Gb LAN port, and dual USB-C ports. Further expand the system with its replaceable lid or expansion panel for additional I/O.

AMD’s Zen4 architecture offers 8 cores with 16 threads of computing power, without drawing too much energy thanks to the new power management design, allowing Moonstone to put unused cores to sleep, preventing excess power draw. And SNUC’s patented Dual Exhaust Cooling solution will keep your Moonstone cool and quiet even during the most performance-hungry tasks. Upgrade your computer power and enjoy earth-shattering results with a customized Moonstone mini PC based on your exact computing needs.

Formed in 2015 and headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, SNUC, Inc. is a global company specializing in mini computers. SNUC provides fully configured, warrantied, and supported mini PC systems to businesses and consumers, as well as end-to-end NUC project development, custom operating system installations, and NUC accessories. For more information about SNUC visit www.snuc.com.

News

SNUC® Launches Fanless Rugged Mini PC Powered by Latest 13th Gen Intel® Core Processors

Arena Canyon Porcoolpine Launch - small form factor mini computer pc - fanless mini computer pc - rugged mini computer pc -

Arena Canyon Porcoolpine, SNUC’s newest Mini PC, features the latest 13th Gen Intel® Core processors, with VPro technology, in an ultra-reliable rugged fanless chassis.

AUSTIN, Texas; BELFAST, United Kingdom; DUNLEER, Ireland; June 6, 2023 


 

What are the benefits of using a fanless, rugged mini-PC in industrial settings?

The primary benefits of using a fanless, rugged mini-PC in industrial settings are drastically improved reliability, lower maintenance costs, and extended operational life. These devices are purpose-built to survive harsh environments where traditional PCs would quickly fail due to dust, temperature extremes, or vibration.

Key Advantages of Rugged Mini-PC Deployments:

  • Zero Maintenance Failure: The fanless design eliminates the most common point of mechanical failure, preventing shutdowns caused by dust ingestion or mechanical wear.
  • Environmental Durability: Rugged chassis and extended temperature tolerance ensure continuous, reliable operation in environments like factory floors, outdoor cabinets, or vehicles.
  • Increased Uptime: Designed to withstand shock and vibration, the hardware guarantees maximum system availability for critical industrial automation and control processes.
  • High Performance Density: Leveraging latest-generation processors (like 13th Gen Intel Core) provides high computational power for demanding industrial AI and real-time vision systems in a compact form factor.

 

, a leading mini computer integration company, recently announced their Intel Rugged NUC Pro, codenamed Arena Canyon Porcoolpine, a new SNUC branded Rugged Mini PC product family. As the fanless version of the newly released Arena Canyon family, Arena Canyon Porcoolpine delivers outsized performance in a small form factor and blends the power of Intel’s 13th Gen Core Processors with the reliability of no moving parts in a robust and rugged fanless chassis.

“Whether it’s used in a harsh environment or for a silent desktop experience, we saw an opportunity to create a fanless mini PC using the latest Intel 13th Gen Processors,” said Charles Abdouch, SNUC CTO, “With the addition of Arena Canyon Porcoolpine, we can now offer customers a rugged mini PC to meet any of their rugged application needs with the latest Intel technology.”

Starting at $779, three new Arena Canyon Porcoolpine models (NUC13ANFi7, NUC13ANi5, and NUC13ANFi3) are available for pre-order from SNUC across their global sites.The i7 NUC13ANFi7 model based on the 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1360P processor is intended for usage where higher performance is most essential.To accommodate a variety of price points, more cost-effective options are also available with the NUC13ANi5 model based on the Intel® Core™ i5-1340P processor, and the NUC13ANFi3 model based on the Intel® Core™ i3-1315U processor. Units are expected to begin shipping in June. More information on the Arena Canyon Porcoolpine product line can be found at: https://snuc.com/arena-canyon-porcoolpine/.

The Rugged NUC 13 Pro is a feature-rich device with a plethora of I/O options, equipped with dual HDMI 2.1 ports, dual Thunderbolt 4, and four USB-A ports as standard. Further expand the functionality of the unit via the rear expansion panel, making the Arena Canyon Porcoolpine adaptable to a user’s specific use case. The Arena Canyon Porcoolpine also features an onboard 2.5Gb LAN port and can be expanded to add an additional 2.5Gb via the rear expansion panel. Further upgrade the Arena Canyon Porcoolpine Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 with external antennas allowing for a clean, seamless, and powerful mini PC experience, in an ultra reliable fanless chassis. 

Select Arena Canyon Porcoolpine SKUs come with Intel vPro technology, making it ideal for office and factory deployments with its remote manageability and added hardware-level security features. From performing remote updates to securing your files from instructions, the Rugged NUC 13 Pro will keep you protected and productive 24/7.

Formed in 2015 and headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, SNUC, Inc. is a global systems integrator and OEM specializing in mini computers. SNUC provides fully configured, warrantied, and supported mini PC systems to businesses and consumers, as well as end-to-end NUC project development, custom operating system installations, and NUC accessories. For more information about SNUC visit www.simplynuc.com.

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