First NUC Build: Thoughts?

[Deleted member 233889]

I'm thinking this for my NUC build that will double as a HTPC and my computer:

Crucial Single 8GB DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) Notebook Module, CT102464BF160B

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Single-PC3...ory+module

Crucial 240GB mSATA SSD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...24G15X2755

Intel NUC D54250WYK, Mini HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, USB 3.0, Intel HD Graphics 5000, 4th Gen Intel Core i5-4250U

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-D54250WYK-Di...=D54250WYK

Intel Network 7260 HMWG WiFi Wireless-AC 7260 H/T Dual Band 2x2 AC+Bluetooth HMC

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Network-7260...etooth+HMC

Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 with Built-In Multi-Touch Touchpad

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless-...itech+k400

I'll pick up another 8GB to extend the RAM later. And the monitor is a:

http://pcmonitors.info/reviews/benq-gw2750hm

Thoughts?

 

[darckhart]

I'm planning on a nuc for htpc for my dad as well. Your parts list is pretty much what I was going to go with as well.

btw, I just saw in the other thread reviewing the D54250WYK that a new version D54250WYKH now has compatibility for 2.5" drives. I'm checking to see what other differences there are.
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1784852

 

[ExplodingTaco]

Going to pick one up next week as well. 2.5 would be nice but it looks substantially bigger

 

[martmann]

I have a D34010WYK & a D54250WYKH, the size difference isn't as big a deal as I thought, so I definitely recommend the NUCs with the 2.5" drive support.
For the Big NUC I went with:

NUC D54250WYKH1:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856102055

Samsung 840 EVO 250GB mSATA:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147316

G.Skill Ripjaws 16GB (2x8) DDR3 1600:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231705

Western Digital Blue 1TB 5400rpm storage HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236496

Intel 802.11AC + Bluetooth adapter:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833106190

Mounted on an ASUS 24" 5ms IPS monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236331

Connected with a mini-HDMI to HDMI cable:
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10242&cs_id=1024201&p_id=3644&seq=1&format=2

Running windows 8.1 that I got for building a PC for a friend (he's married to an MS employee, so got it from the MS store).

It's a hell of a PC, with a virtually silent fan profile (default) idles around 37C, running Real Temp sensor test maxes out at 71C. Running high bit 1080p, temps level off around 39C with dead quiet fan.

But for the $913 (not including monitor) it cost, you gotta really want that small size, I do.

 

[Machupo]

I have a tomb-quiet living room and unfortunately, my D54250WYK fan is quite noticeable when I'm not watching movies, so I've got an Akasa Tesla H on order

 

[CHANG3D]

My recommendation is to get a cheap 128 GB or under mSATA SSD, even a 60 GB SSD will work, and then get a large TB 2.5" HDD if you want to fill it up.

The use cases I know of for NUCs are 1) a good pc + media center without a NAS or 2) a more capable thin-client.

Essentially all you need is enough storage space to install the OS, a few productivity apps like office, visual studio/eclipse, and/or photoshop. So I really don't know why you would need an SSD of over 128 GB, unless it's cheap as heck not to get it.

The Samsung 840 EVO might be the best consumer SSD, but I doubt you'll feel much difference in that over say a Crucial M500 120GB mSATA with is nearly half the cost of a EVO 250GB on discount.

 

[martmann]

I have a tomb-quiet living room and unfortunately, my D54250WYK fan is quite noticeable when I'm not watching movies, so I've got an Akasa Tesla H on order

The D54250WYKH does have a few more vent holes than the D54250WYK, not enough to make that much difference IMO. My room is not "tomb-quiet". Also, I've worked around jet aircraft for over 16 years and play guitar and drums (loudly) every week, I do have some loss at 3KHz.
But others have said it was inaudible too.

 

[martmann]

...So I really don't know why you would need an SSD of over 128 GB, unless it's cheap as heck not to get it...

In my case (the 250GB Samsung) I do move the location of the Documents, Pictures, Music, & Video folders to the HDD, but not the Desktop (because I have had issues with moving the location of "Desktop" from C:\ ), I like the ability to temp move large folders & files to the desktop, as well as use the SSD as the scratch drive for video encoding.

Barring those things, which would be rare for most NUC builds, I agree.

I have no issues with Crucial SSDs, but have had very good luck with Samsung SSDs and buy them for their reliability more than the tiny speed advantage. (I use a lot of SSDs at work for prototype systems, if those systems move to production, and I have chosen flaky parts, it becomes a BIG issue).

 

[CHANG3D]

In my case (the 250GB Samsung) I do move the location of the Documents, Pictures, Music, & Video folders to the HDD, but not the Desktop (because I have had issues with moving the location of "Desktop" from C:\ ), I like the ability to temp move large folders & files to the desktop, as well as use the SSD as the scratch drive for video encoding.

Barring those things, which would be rare for most NUC builds, I agree.

I have no issues with Crucial SSDs, but have had very good luck with Samsung SSDs and buy them for their reliability more than the tiny speed advantage. (I use a lot of SSDs at work for prototype systems, if those systems move to production, and I have chosen flaky parts, it becomes a BIG issue).

Whoops... i thought you got the full 2.5" EVO instead of the mSATA (which would waste the drive slot), but you didn't, so good job! XD

On choosing the EVO: hey, it's your money!

 

[kurabii]

Good Configuration! Run with it