Alternative power supply for NUC 8

[carburetor]

Question: Is it acceptable to use a universal 19v, 90W laptop AC adapter/charger as a power supply for a NUC8i5BEH?

Details: I put together a NUC8i5BEH a few days ago and the power supply included with it emits a squealing/chirping sound when in use. I can hear it from anywhere in the room and I find it unpleasant.

I already contacted Intel to see if I can get a replacement, but if that is just a problem intrinsic to the model they are using, I'm wondering if I could try something else with matching volts/amps and a compatible plug.

Also, the power supply included with the NUC has a 3-prong, grounded input plug, and many laptop AC adapters have only a 2-prong input plug. Does this matter?

[LeonWaksman]

You can use alternative power supply as long it will meet the description in para.2.2.4.6 on page 38 in Technical Product Specification: https://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/mini-pcs/nuc-kits/NUC8i3BE_NUC8i5BE_NUC8i7BE_TechProdSpec.pdf . If your laptop meet those requirements (i.e.output 19VDC, 90W and the inner connector is +), then you can use it.

Leon

[n_scott_pearson]

(Leon meant power supply, not laptop 😉)

You can check if replacement power supplies are available for direct purchase through Intel by going to this page: Intel NUC Spare Parts. I just checked and the one you want is there. You can also purchase compatible power supplies - and sometimes at a lower price - through Amazon and similar storefronts.

I personally prefer to have the extra protection that the 3rd prong's true ground connection provides, but 2-prong cords can be used as well. While you typically only see two-prong connectors on power supplies providing 60W or less, I have certainly seen 90W supplies with two-prong connectors.

Hope this helps,

...S

[LeonWaksman]

I meant "If your laptop power supply meet those requirements...".

The third pin in the Power Supply plug, is not serving as additional protection. It is designed to use for sensing pin to get the power capability of the Power Supply. Any way it is not used in NUC so, it doesn't make any difference if you have it in the alternate supply or not. See this post for full explanation: https://forums.intel.com/s/question/0D70P0000069DulSAE

Leon

[carburetor]

Thank you both very much. I will wait to see if Intel will send me one, and if that doesn't work I'll buy one from Amazon or Micro Center.

Leon, I was referring to the 3rd prong on the input side of the power supply -- the plug that connects to the wall outlet. Thanks for the link to that thread anyway.

[carburetor]

Okay, so I got my replacement power supply from Intel, and it solved the problem. No more annoying noise! The replacement power supply is made by Lite-On (Model PA-1900-32), and is the same one Intel sells on the NUC Spare Parts page. The original one that came with the kit is made by Asian Power Devices (Model DA-90J19).