Intel Unveils The Smallest VR Ready CPU

The newest version of Intel’s tiny ‘NUC’ PC is VR capable, says Intel spokesperson. Attributed to the power of AMD’s discrete Radeon Vega M graphics, the latest NUC can power “premium” VR experiences at 90 FPS.

Image courtesy: Intel

Unveiled at this week’s CES 2018, Intel debuted a new version of their NUC computer line of tiny PCs. The new NUC8i7HVK model is equipped with 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8809G with discrete Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics mounted directly to the CPU. The two longstanding rival companies announced last year that they would begin collaborating on GPU/CPU products.

Image courtesy: Intel

Intel says the new NUC is the “smallest VR capable system ever,” at just 1.2 liters in volume (221 x 142 x 39 mm). Based on information provides by Intel, the systems is capable of 90 FPS gaming which means the PC meets “VR Ready” specifications listed by Oculus and HTC.

Image courtesy: Intel

Intel NUC8i7HVK Specifications

•CPU/GPU

•8th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-8809G

•3.1 GHz to 4.2 GHz Turbo, Quad Core, 8 MB cache, 100W

•Radeon™ RX Vega M GH graphics, 1063 MHz – 1190 MHz

•Unlocked [for overclocking]

•RAM

•Dual channel DDR4-2400+ SODIMMs, 1.2V, 32GB maximum

•M.2 & SDXC

•2x M.2 22×42/80 (key M) slots for SATA3 or PCIe x4 Gen3 NVMe or AHCI SSD, RAID-0 and RAID-1 capable

•SDXC slot

•Connectivity

•2x rear Thunderbolt™ 3 (40 Gbps) and USB 3.1 Gen2 (10 Gbps) and DisplayPort 1.2 via USB-C™ connector

•Front USB 3.1 Gen2 via USB-C™ and front USB type-A connector

•Front charging USB 3.0, 4x rear USB 3.0, 2x internal USB 3.0 and 2x USB 2.0 via headers

•Front Consumer Infrared port

•Video Outputs

•Front and rear HDMI 2.0a (4K 60Hz, HDR) connectors

•DisplayPort 1.3 via 2x rear Mini DisplayPort ports, and 2x rear Thunderbolt™ USB-C™ ports

•All ports support HDCP 2.2

•Networking

•2x Intel® 10/100/1000 Mbps (i219-LM and i210-AT) Ethernet ports

•Intel® Wireless-AC 8265 M.2 22×30 card, IEEE 802.11ac 2×2 + Bluetooth v4.2, internal antennas

•Audio

•Up to 7.1 multichannel digital audio via HDMI or DisplayPort signals

•3.5mm front headset jack, 3.5mm rear speaker / TOSLINK combo jack

•Internal Headers

•Common I/O header with Front Panel, CEC, 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB2.0 signals

Image courtesy: Intel

Pricing hasn’t yet been released.The company says the systems will be available beginning Spring 2018. Previous NUC PCs have ranged in price from $200–$900. However, Intel tells the new NUC will

“sold as bare-bones kits, targeted to DIYers who are looking for small, sleek and powerful mini PCs,”

Image courtesy: Intel