NUC Compute element upgrade paths

[virtuallyjohnny]

Hi

I would like to understand upgrade paths for NUC compute elements.

If purchasing a NUC9 Extreme: can I upgrade from i5 to i9

If purchasing a NUC11 Extreme: can I upgrade from i7 to i9

If purchasing a NUC12 Extreme: can I upgrade from i7 to i9

If purchasing a NUC9 Extreme: can I upgrade to NUC11 Extreme or NUC12 Extreme

If purchasing a NUC11 Extreme: can I upgrade to NUC12 Extreme

Please also advise if there are other considerations to be had for the upgrades, for example is RAM and discrete graphics cards also compatible.

Many thanks

[Alberto_R_Intel]

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

In regards to your question, no, the upgrade options you are referring to are not available for the Intel® NUCs. Actually, we always recommend to use the device at stock configurations with the default BIOS settings.

In reference to the other considerations you mentioned, by using the complete model of the Intel® NUCS on our Intel® Compatibility Tool, you will be able to find the parts that were tested by Intel® as fully compatible based on the model being used, including Memory RAM and video cards. It is important to mention that there are parts that are not listed in the tool and that still are fully compatible, is just that Intel® haven't tested them:

https://compatibleproducts.intel.com/?Lang=en-US

Any questions, please let me know.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[virtuallyjohnny]

Hi Albert

Thanks for getting back to me.

This is from the Intel marketing department...

"Build a true mini gaming PC without compromising on performance. Intel® NUC 9 Extreme kit (NUC9i9QNX) with an upgradeable Intel® NUC Compute Element provides the building blocks to give you the power to build the exact Intel® NUC you need."

source: https://www.mwave.com.au/product/intel-nuc-mini-pc-extreme-nuc-i9-9th-gen-16gb-1tb-w10-pro-ac44956

The promo material from the Intel website makes similar claims about being upgradeable.

https://www.intel.com.au/content/dam/www/public/us/en/zip/nuc/gtc/nuc9-i9i7i5-qnx-product-documents-all.zip

If a NUC containing a Compute Element isn't upgradeable, then why go to the effort of using a Compute Element in the first place? It would be easier and cheaper just to build them with soldered down processors and fixed boards like the cheaper NUCs.

And NUC 9, NUC 11 and NUC 12 one page outlines all have the same chassis but with Compute Element options, which suggests they are at least interchangeable within the NUC series.

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hi virtuallyjohnny, You are very welcome, thank you very much for sharing that information.

Ok, I will confirm those details and provide the response on this thread as soon as possible.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hello virtuallyjohnny, I just received an update on this matter.

After reviewing the case we can confirm that you can upgrade the element and for some scenarios, the processor, but cannot use a different family element into another case/baseboard for limitations related to the size and power consumption, i.e. NUC 9 uses 19V500W, NUC11 12V500W, and NUC12 12V650W.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[virtuallyjohnny]

Thanks Albert. How do I go about finding those "some scenarios"? That is, I am interested in finding out about the processor upgrade, I didn't realise that was possible on the Compute Elements.

[Alberto_R_Intel]

virtuallyjohnny, You are very welcome, thank you very much for your response.

I will do further research on this matter to gather the details you are looking for, as soon as I get any updates I will post all the information on this thread.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Alberto_R_Intel]

virtuallyjohnny, I just received an update on this matter.

In this case, since the processor is Socketed it can be replaced, the Intel® TPS indicates the compatible processors, but applies only for Intel® NUC12. For the other ones the processor is Soldered so the replacement of the unit is not possible. About the scenarios, depends on the compatibility with the Baseboard, this can be reviewed in the Intel® TPS as well:

Intel® NUC9 TPS:

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/intel-nuc/nuc-kits/NUC9QN_TechProdSpec.pdf

Intel® NUC11 TPS:

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/intel-nuc/NUC11BT_DB_TPS.pdf

Intel® NUC12 TPS:

https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/intel-nuc/NUC12DCM_NUC12EDB_TechProdSpec.pdf

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hello virtuallyjohnny, I just wanted to check if the information posted previously was useful for you and if you need further assistance on this matter?

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[virtuallyjohnny]

Hi Albert

The information has been useful, but I don't have time at the moment to digest it all, in order to decide my next steps.

John

[Alberto_R_Intel]

Hi virtuallyjohnny, Thank you very much for sharing those details.

Perfect, we are glad to hear the information provided was useuful for you.

Any other inquiries, do not hesitate to contact us again.

Regards,

Albert R.

Intel Customer Support Technician