Details on Intel’s next-generation NUCs, also known as Phantom Canyon have been revealed. These NUC models will feature a combination of Tiger Lake CPUs and Xe GPUs. Details of these NUCs have been revealed by FanlessTech who has also published a list of specifications.
Phantom Canyon NUC 11 Models Revealed
It looks like we will have two Phantom Canyon NUCs – the Phantom NUC 11 Extreme and the Panther Canyon NUC 11 Performance.
Both NUCs will be using the Tiger Lake generation of CPUs. Tiger Lake follows on from Intel’s 10nm Ice Lake generation. Tiger Lake will be using an improved 10nm+ process node with some improved design.
The Panther model will be targeted to mainstream PC users and the Extreme will be for PC enthusiasts who want the best performance and speed they can get.
Phantom Canyon NUC 11 Extreme
This NUC will be powered by Intel’s Tiger Lake-U 28W processors, which will be either a Core i7 or i5 variant.
For the GPU, it will have an integrated Xe GPU but there will also be alternative discrete graphics options. While we don’t know much about the GPU yet, it’s looking like it will feature either 6 GB or 8 GB of graphics memory.
Also featured is up to 64 GB of DDR4-3200 SODIMMs, two M.2 slots and a PCIe x4 Generation 3 NVMe port.
In terms of connectivity and ports, the Extreme model will also include an HDMI 2.0b port, Mini DisplayPort, Intel 2.5 Gbps LAN, Intel Wireless-AX 201, IEEE 802.11ax, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 as well as front and rear sided Thunderbolt 3 ports.
As you can see from the released images, it’s got a striking design with a light-up skull logo – something we’ve already seen from the Hades Canyon and Skull Canyon NUCs in the past.
Panther Canyon NUC 11 Performance
This NUC will also share a Tiger Lake-U CPU with SKUs featuring either Core i3, i5 or i7 variants.
The onboard graphics card will be an Intel Xe but there won’t be any discrete graphics options like the Extreme model offers, so there’s a bit less opportunity for boosting performance.
It looks like the Performance model will feature all the same input/output ports. The main difference is the box design, which doesn’t quite live up to the iconic light-up skull design that the Extreme has.
When Will They Be Available?
While there isn’t an official release date for Intel’s new NUCs, they are both expected to be released sometime later this year. So if you are looking to add to your home streaming setup or want a small form factor PC, either of these NUCs looks like they will fit the bill nicely.
If we hear more about these NUCs or get a firm release date, we will be sure to keep you updated.
Thunderbolt 3? I assume that’s a typo – should be Thunderbolt 4, no?