NUC 11 Extreme: DisplayPort In for discrete graphics over Thunderbolt/USB-C?

[MMUK]

Hi there,

It's my understanding the USB-C ports on the NUC 11 Extreme only output integrated graphics. Is there any DisplayPort In on the compute element which I can then connect the DisplayPort Out of a discrete graphics card to? Thereby allowing discrete graphics output on the NUC 11 USB-C ports and use of Thunderbolt accessories / USB-C displays etc?

If this feature is not present, can it be considered for the next revision of the Compute Element. This would allow Thunderbolt 4 to used to its full potential showcasing a great Intel tech.

BR,

Mark

[Alberto_R_Intel]

MMUK, Thank you for posting in the Intel® Communities Support.

"It's my understanding the USB-C ports on the NUC 11 Extreme only output integrated graphics", yes that is correct.

In reference to your question, "Is there any DisplayPort In on the compute element which he can then connect the DisplayPort Out of a discrete graphics card to?" Not at the present time with the current technology Intel® is working with.

"If this feature is not present, can it be considered for the next revision of the Compute Element", Sure, for Intel® all the feedback and recommendations provided by our customers is very important, that is why I will send your suggestions to the proper department for them to be aware of your remarks so hopefully in the future, the Intel® NUC Extreme will have the feature that you are looking for.

Any questions, please let me know.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[MMUK]

Thanks Albert, that's great. I currently use Windows on Mac via BootCamp and am looking at the Intel NUC for my startup because Mac is now moving to Apple Silicon and I need to keep using Windows (on Intel). The NUC 11 Extreme also allows use of an Nvidia RTX graphics card which is attractive.

Apple has done the engineering work to make discrete graphics come out of a Thunderbolt port - for example on my Intel MacBook Pro - and I am totally accustomed now to single-cable Thunderbolt docking and USB-C/Thunderbolt monitors. I would like to continue this positive experience with Intel NUCs. I would also like to continue to share the same monitors/docking for PCs and Macs (more flexibility and reduced cost). The rumoured new lower-cost Apple monitor will almost certainly be USB-C or Thunderbolt (without DisplayPort or HDMI) and I'd be keen to hook this up with NUCs and Macs!

So would be really great if the next generation of Intel NUCs can include this feature. A DisplayPort In seems the usual way to provide this feature in conjunction with customer GPU cards from what I can gather.

Thanks again for your reply,

Mark 

[MMUK]

Just thought I'd add, making your NUCs as attractive as possible replacements for Intel Mac Minis might well be a great business strategy as I suspect many Mac Mini users have workloads that can't (yet) transfer to Apple Silicon. For example I use Windows on a Mac Mini on my desk for software development - an Intel NUC seems the natural replacement as I want high-quality HW and to continue using Intel Windows.

BR,

Mark

[Alberto_R_Intel]

MMUK, You are very welcome, thank you very much for your response and your comments.

Perfect, excellent, I will add that information as well, your feedback and recommendations to the report in order for them to be fully aware of the reasons why it will be needed and helpful for Intel® to implement those features in future products.

Thank you very much. Any other inquiries or comments, do not hesitate to contact us again.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician