Intel NUC NUC5i5RYH with Intel Core i5 Processor and 2.5-Inch Drive Support

First off: I recommend buying a 7th-gen (Kaby Lake) or later NUC unless you want to run Windows 8.1 or earlier (most likely for Media Center DVR). Kaby Lake NUCs (e.g. NUC7i5BNK or BNK) have better graphics, can output 4K at 60 Hz, and (in the case of the 7i5 but not the 7i3) come with Thunderbolt ports, which can be used for a variety of peripherals (from high-res monitors to external GPUs). Second: If you buy a tall model (which usually ends in H) to add a HDD for data, make sure the HDD is 7mm tall or less. Some 2.5" HDDs (such as the 3TB or 4TB models) are 15mm tall and therefore won't fit in this machine. Now: I decided to buy a NUC for my home theater PC (HTPC) and settled on this unit due to its price (on sale at the time) and its compatibility with Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, which still run Media Center. (I previously bought a Kaby Lake model, but only Windows 10 is supported on it.) I've had it running 24x7 for several weeks with 8 GB of RAM, a 250 GB SSD, a 2 TB HDD (2.5", 7mm height), and a USB-attached tuner box installed, and its performance has been excellent. The IR feature is particularly cool; it works with RC6 remotes without any configuration whatsoever (although I've read that you can install programs that will let you remap keys). The biggest downsides of this unit are: - Mini-HDMI port is only HDMI 1.4 -- that means 4K at 30 Hz, not 60 Hz, which is fine for video but kind of unbearable for navigating Windows or an Internet browser. (You can purchase an adapter for less than $30 to convert the DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0, but see my second bullet.) - While the mini DisplayPort can supply 4K/60 and (active) adapters are available to convert that to an HDMI 2.0 port, it doesn't appear to work with the DRM that Windows Media Center employs (PlayReady), preventing CableCard-based tuners from working. I'm not sure whether this is a limitation of DisplayPort or the adapter. (My TV doesn't have a DisplayPort, so I can't test that.) - Occasionally the display will turn to snow -- like a bad analog channel, except more digital -- while we're watching a recorded show. I don't know whether this is an issue with my TV or the NUC (possibly a video driver issue), but I never saw this with my previous HTPC and this TV. I haven't tried a different mini-HDMI to HDMI cable or tried different display drivers, but those would be the next things to check. It's very infrequent (less than once per day) and I fix it by changing the HDMI input on the TV to a different one and changing it back, so I live with it. That's it, though. Everything else about the box is great. If you want to do more than what a TV stick or set-top box provides (like run a DVR or Plex server or play games with relatively low graphics intensity), then I highly recommend this NUC.

This little computer is amazing! I installed 16 gb 1600 RAM and installed a 250 gb PCIe M.2 card to use as the hard drive. With ubuntu, the computer boots in 1 sec and is much faster than even the big memory boxes that I use at the office. Fantastic performance. But my wife wanted Windows 7, so now it still boots reasonably quickly but is burdened by the overhead and other BS that plagues all Windows computers. Using a SSD instead of a spinning HD for the operating system is a good choice, and you still have room to install a 2.5-inch drive for data storage. Maybe the best thing about a bare bones computer like this is you install whatever operating system you want and are not burdened with the useless bloatware that comes on HPs or the trashy computers you buy at a big box store. Anyway, 2 months of use and all is well. Note: some people have commented on the fan. On our unit, it is barely audible. The audio output is very good quality. Highly recommended. This is an efficient way to replace the standard refrigerator-size floor-standing computer with its big power supply, cooling propellers, and wasted interior space. Change rooms or go on a trip: unplug your NUC and take it with you.

Adding a review after 7 years of usage. I bought it to run some servers on Ubuntu, and it delivered over the years! Even today, it still runs smooth and nice. Only problem that I had was the charger after about 3 years, which somehow, was replaced under the warranty. A very stable machine, that runs 24/7 in the last 7 years, with almost no issues. Noise wise, you hear it a bit, so I recommend that you don't install it in the room where you need complete silence, like your bedroom. In my case, it is installed in a cabinet in the kitchen, and it never bothers me. Highly recommend!

This is probably the best mini PC on the market right now. * What's good: - Price is competitive. - i5 5th generation computer that can rest on your palm. Running 24/7 with minimal of heat issue, low power usage, great performance. - Good display adapter with HDMI video AND audio out; Displayport output is also supported. - 802.11ac Wifi built-in, gigabit Ethernet port. - 4 USB 3.0 ports. - Room for 2 DDR3L memory up to 16Gb. If you buy one bar 8Gb, install it in the lower slot. Room for 2.5" hard drive. I put Samsung SSD EVO 850 and it is perfectly fit in. - Latest drivers are up to date on Intel's web site, supporting latest Windows 10. * What I don't like: - Mini HDMI instead of regular HDMI. I have to buy an adapter just to convert it back to regular (standard) HDMI. Most people are having existing standard HDMI cable at home. - DDR3L memory only. It would be great if it also supports DDR3 which will save laptop-convert buyers some $, but this is acceptable for the benefits of its size and performance. - This is what I hate: Product description should be clearer: (maybe just Amazon.com) + Model ended with RYK and RYH. Most people will overlook the differences. If RYH clearly states supporting 2.5" HDD, RYK should be states ONLY mSATA is supported to avoid wrong order. Most people who need 2.5" HDD support may just look at the price and slimmer profile of RYK and placing a wrong order because of that. + Product title should clearly state the generation of its processor so buyers won't place a wrong order of previous generation by just looking at the price and processor type (i3, i5, i7...) + Intel (or Amazon.com) delicates a whole big section of "From the manufacturer" to introduce stuffs that I think most potential buyers of NUC will just not interested at all. Where is the detail technical specification section? The spec will save buyers from unnecessary hassles. Take my case, I ordered the NUC and later on found that it only supports DDR3L, Amazon Prime Now was helpful and saved my day to put DDR3L memory order in. All items were arrived as plan within hours and I thought it should be all set. When I opened the box at night, I found that it's a mini HDMI, not standard HDMI port. Stores are all closed at the time. It sucks throwing the toy back to the box and have to wait for a darn HDMI adapter purchase tomorrow, it just ruins all the fun.

Desde que lo compré hasta que le puse los componentes y lo hice funcionar ha pasado mucho tiempo y vamos, el "ordenador" (lo pongo entre comillas porque ya no parece un ordenador) va como un tiro. Digo que no parece un ordenador porque es ínfimo, Si organizas bien los cables no ocupa espacio apenas y encima no hace prácticamente nada de ruido. Me compré dos SSDs (uno para el de 2,5'' y otro para el hueco m.2) y un blister de 8Gb de RAM y me sobra para jugar, editar/ver documentos (Word,Excel,PDF,PPT... que por cierto los abre a una velocidad de vértigo) y como HTPC (Home Theater Personal Computer). Que más decir... le he puesto Windows 10 y va de lujo. Eso y un teclado/ratón (véase el Logitech K400) inhalámbrico y ya tienes un ordenador perfectamente funcional para casi todo (menos para renderizar vídeo, maquetar y diseñar gráficos 3D que ya pide mucha caña).

Great Value. No clutter. Responsive and quiet.

parfait

J'y ai ajouté un disque SSD de 256Go pour Windows 10 et les logiciels et un autre disque de 1To pour les données, ainsi que 8Go de RAM. Accroché à l'arrière de mon écran incluant des enceintes, c'est une vraie solution gain de place. J'ai un ordi rapide, performant et silencieux, que du bonheur pour un usage bureautique et Web.

Hasn't done much yet as i am rebuilding my home/office room. But initial thought is that this a great piece of machine that will support my needs. I used mostly for support (remotely) to my clients. I paired it with a 27 inch screen with 16 GB RAM and an SSD drive, it works well.