Intel is preparing a new series of next-generation NUC mini-PCs known as the Phantom Canyon, which will include Tiger Lake and Xe GPU processors . FanlessTech, a fanless mini-PC site, has announced full specifications for future NUC 11 projects.
According to the details, there will be two Phantom Canyon NUCs: the Phantom Canyon NUC 11 Extreme and the Phantom Canyon NUC 11 Performance. Both NUCs will offer completely different chassis options, while the Performance option will be more user-friendly, while the Extreme option will target enthusiastic users who want maximum performance.
Phantom Canyon NUC 11 Extreme will run on 28 T Intel Tiger Lake-U processors. The processors introduced in the NUC will be either Core i7 or Core i5, but although they will use the integrated Xe GPU, there will also be a variant with discrete graphics. The GPU specification is unknown, but it is mentioned that it is third-party, with 6 or 8 GB of graphics memory. It is likely that Intel will create its own discrete graphics based on the Xe graphics architecture, which will provide much higher performance than the integrated graphics processor. You can configure NUC 11 Extreme with SODIMM DDR4-3200 up to 64 GB. There are two M.2 slots (1x 22 × 80/110 and 1x 22 × 80) and a PCIe x4 Gen 3 NVMe port.
Other details include a rather futuristic design with the SKULL logo, which is illuminated by LEDs. You can place the NUC directly on the table or on a vertical stand. NUC 11 Extreme will include HDMI 2.0b, Mini DisplayPort, front and rear Thunderbolt 3 ports, Intel 2.5 Gb / s LAN, Intel Wireless-AX 201, IEEE 802.11ax, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
The NUC 11 Performance will also feature 28-watt 28-watt Tiger Lake-U processors with Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 options. The Intel Xe graphics chip will be built-in and there will be no discrete graphics option, like the Extreme version. Like the Extreme variant, the input / output would be almost the same, with the only difference being the standard NUC package design.
The generation of Tiger Lake processors occurs after the generation of Intel Ice Lake 10 nm. Tiger Lake processors will use a more advanced 10nm process and improved architecture. Although the Willow Cove cores used in Tiger Lake processors will have all the basic technologies presented on Sunny Cove-based processors, they will also be able to redesign the cache and enhanced security features to provide much better performance and clock speed than 10nm processors. It is stated that both NUC will enter the market in the second half of the year.
