Intel Frost Canyon NUC offers 6 cores and 12 threads
With the Intel Comet Lake SoCs, the 10th generation of Core processors is already available. Intel now also packs them into its Mini PCs, which are known as NUCs. We received two of these new bare-bones units from Intel to put them through their paces. We have already taken a closer look here at the smaller model with the Intel Core i5-10210U. In this review, however, we want to focus on the faster model based on the Intel Core i7-10710U.
Intel offers both NUCs in a flat version (36 millimeters/~1.42 in) but also in a slightly taller version (51 millimeters/~2 in). The advantage of the 51-millimeter (~2 in) variant is the available space for a second storage device. Our loaned unit is fully assembled and equipped with 16 GB of memory, an SSD and an HDD. This bundle that includes the Windows license is listed on various price comparisons, but without a price. According to Intel, the NUC10i7FNH is expected to cost $935 (~1,019 Euros). Of course, the 120-watt power adapter is also included in the box.
Case and connectivity
In terms of the case, there's not much new to report. Visually, the new NUCs are similar to the devices already available. There are also two case heights, 36 (~1.42 in) or 51 millimeters (~2 in). Our test device weighs 697 grams (~1.5 lb) fully equipped. In addition, the Intel NUC NUC10i7FNH comes with a 120-watt power adapter, which is also particularly heavy at 372 grams (~13 oz). For more information on the case and connectivity, please refer to the Intel NUC NUC10i5FNK review.
Performance - More than just an office computer
The Intel NUC NUC10i7FNH isn't just a simple office system, because the Intel Core i7-10710U, with its 6 cores, offers a lot of performance that goes beyond normal office work. Therefore, we see this Mini PC rather in the field of content creation, for example in image editing. Equipped with 16 GB of memory, which works in dual-channel mode thanks to two modules, Intel gets all the power available from the SoC. The 256 GB SSD houses the operating system, and the built-in HDD with 1 TB of storage space completes the system.
Processor
The Intel NUC NUC10i7FNH uses a mobile SoC with 6 cores and 12 threads as processor. This makes the small PC ideal for multithreaded applications. With the Intel UHD Graphics 620, this SoC also offers an integrated graphics unit for image output. Since the Intel Core i7-10710U is primarily mobile, the SoC is very energy-efficient. The base clock speed is 1.1 GHz. Nonetheless, the Core i7-10710U can reach up to 4.7 GHz in Turbo. If all cores are loaded, however, the maximum is reached at 3.9 GHz.
In our test, the Intel Core i7-10710U was definitely able to convince with good values. Thanks to its 6 cores, it clearly leads in the multithread benchmarks. But the single-core performance is also impressive, because the hexa-core processor is able to take the lead here too.
Blender - v2.79 BMW27 CPU | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 15 , Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Average Intel Core i7-10710U (468 - 892, n=4) | |
Intel NUC10i5FNK, Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Intel NUC10i7FNH, Intel Core i7-10710U |
Geekbench 4.4 | |
64 Bit Multi-Core Score | |
Intel NUC10i7FNH, Intel Core i7-10710U | |
Average Intel Core i7-10710U (11871 - 22969, n=2) | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 15 , Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Intel NUC10i5FNK, Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Intel NUC5i3RYK, Intel Core i3-5010U | |
64 Bit Single-Core Score | |
Intel NUC10i7FNH, Intel Core i7-10710U | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 15 , Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Average Intel Core i7-10710U (3959 - 5271, n=2) | |
Intel NUC10i5FNK, Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Intel NUC5i3RYK, Intel Core i3-5010U |
HWBOT x265 Benchmark v2.2 - 4k Preset | |
Intel NUC10i7FNH, Intel Core i7-10710U | |
Intel NUC10i5FNK, Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Average Intel Core i7-10710U (4.2 - 7.95, n=4) | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 15 , Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Intel NUC5i3RYK, Intel Core i3-5010U |
* ... smaller is better
Cinebench R15 multi-loop
The stress test with the Cinebench R15 multi-loop shows that the cooling system also handles the hexa-core processor well. The first result shows the run with the increased TDP, which is only available for a short time. After that, performance decreases somewhat and later settles at a stable 946 points.
System performance
The Intel NUC NUC10i7FNH easily completes the synthetic benchmarks for system performance and secures high scores. The installed components work very well together and with the generous memory (16 GB), users are very well equipped for multithreaded applications. This also applies, of course, primarily to the SoC with its 6 cores. The smaller NUC with the Core i5-10210U follows with a respectful distance in our test results.
PCMark 10 | |
Score | |
Intel NUC10i7FNH, Intel Core i7-10710U | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 15 , Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Average Intel Core i5-10210U (3448 - 4742, n=33) | |
Intel NUC10i5FNK, Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Average Intel Core i5-8265U (2247 - 4192, n=36) | |
Intel NUC5i3RYK, Intel Core i3-5010U | |
Productivity | |
Intel NUC10i7FNH, Intel Core i7-10710U | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 15 , Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Average Intel Core i5-10210U (5980 - 7332, n=33) | |
Intel NUC10i5FNK, Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Average Intel Core i5-8265U (2941 - 6755, n=36) | |
Intel NUC5i3RYK, Intel Core i3-5010U |
Storage
Our i7 test system is equipped with two storage devices. The operating system is located on the M.2 2280 SSD from Kingston. Of the 256 GB of storage space, the user will have a good 200 GB left for frequently used programs. In addition to the fast flash memory, there's still room for a 2.5-inch storage device in the taller NUC. In our case, a 1 TB hard drive from Seagate is installed, which doesn't produce an outstanding result in our test at just under 100 MB/s. The same applies to the built-in SSD. It uses the M.2 interface and offers PCI Express speed (PCIe x4). We expected better values in our tests though. However, the built-in SSD is not slow and for most users, the performance provided will be more than enough. If you buy the stripped device that lacks storage and memory, you can install a faster storage device. We recommend that you assemble an SSD-only system instead of using the traditional hard drive. In this way, you can bypass the bottleneck that the latter causes.
Graphics card
The already familiar Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU also serves as an integrated graphics unit in the NUCs. Compared to the Intel NUC NUC10i5FNK, the 3D performance of the Core i7 model is slightly better. However, the iGPU is only partially suitable for games.
You can find further benchmarks for the Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics unit here.
3DMark | |
1280x720 Ice Storm Standard Graphics | |
Intel NUC10i7FNH, Intel Core i7-10710U | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 15 , Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620 (13790 - 102010, n=66) | |
Intel NUC5i5RYH, Intel Core i5-5250U | |
Intel NUC10i5FNK, Intel Core i5-10210U | |
1920x1080 Ice Storm Extreme Graphics | |
Intel NUC10i7FNH, Intel Core i7-10710U | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 15 , Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620 (26409 - 59483, n=71) | |
Intel NUC5i3RYK, Intel Core i3-5010U | |
Intel NUC10i5FNK, Intel Core i5-10210U | |
1920x1080 Fire Strike Graphics | |
Intel NUC6i5SYH, Intel Core i5-6260U | |
Intel NUC10i7FNH, Intel Core i7-10710U | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 15 , Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Intel NUC10i5FNK, Intel Core i5-10210U | |
Average Intel UHD Graphics 620 (557 - 2608, n=213) | |
Intel NUC5i5RYH, Intel Core i5-5250U | |
Intel NUC5i3RYK, Intel Core i3-5010U |
3DMark 11 Performance | 2283 points | |
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 73725 points | |
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 10923 points | |
3DMark Fire Strike Score | 1298 points | |
3DMark Fire Strike Extreme Score | 614 points | |
3DMark Time Spy Score | 512 points | |
Help |
low | med. | high | ultra | 4K | |
Dota 2 Reborn (2015) | 81.3 | 52.5 | 22.4 | 19.9 | 7.3 |
X-Plane 11.11 (2018) | 11.6 | 13.5 | 11 | 6.61 | |
Ghost Recon Breakpoint (2019) | 13 | 7 | |||
Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order (2019) | 8.68 |
Emissions and energy
Temperature
Even under load, the temperatures of the Intel NUC10i7FNH remain in the uncritical range. The case's surface only heats up slightly. Under load with Prime95, we measure a good 40 °C (~104 °F). The cooling unit can keep the Intel Core i7-10710U in check without it having to be throttled due to heat. We didn't observe thermal throttling in our model. We measure 84 °C (~183 °F) as the maximum value in the stress test with Prime95. In the process, the hexa-core processor continues to operate at an average of 2.7 GHz. The thermal load is highest in the load test with Prime95, because in the stress test with FurMark, we measure only a maximum of 79 °C (~174 °F). If both applications are run in parallel, the SoC heats up to 81 °C (~178 °F). This had no lasting impact on 3D performance.
Noise emissions
The Intel NUC10i7FNH is rather restrained when idle and under moderate load. During the stress test, however, the fan turns up properly and the high-frequency fan noise becomes a bit unpleasant in the long run. Unfortunately, the fan rarely stops even when idle, which is why a silent operation is impossible. Since our test device is equipped with a hard drive, it can also be heard under low load. In office operation, the fan operates much quieter than under full load, which improves noise pollution. Subjectively speaking, the work noise of the hard drive remains somewhat equally loud and is quietly audible.
Energy consumption
The small Mini PC scores points when it comes to power consumption. Nevertheless, 86 watts is pulled out of the wall socket under load. However, compared to a large desktop computer, the Intel NUC NUC10i7FNH is still very energy-efficient. When idle, we measure 8.4 watts for our test device. This rises under load to an average of 60 watts though. The power adapter has a capacity of up to 120 watts. Therefore, the load peaks can be easily balanced.
Off / Standby | 0.8 / Watt |
Idle | / 8.4 / Watt |
Load |
/ 86 Watt |
Pros
Cons
Verdict - energy-efficient workhorse in small format
The Intel NUC NUC10i7FNH is a powerful Mini PC. The new Comet Lake SoC offers 6 cores and 12 threads, which make the device very interesting for multithreaded applications. If you go for the hexa-core NUC, you will receive 16 GB of memory, an SSD with 256 GB of storage space and a 1 TB HDD in addition to the Intel Core i7-10710U. There's also a Windows 10 license. If you want to equip the device yourself, you can also acquire the NUC without storage and RAM. Nevertheless, a Windows license must also be purchased separately then. At least 570 Euros (~$622) are needed for the "empty" NUC.
Six cores in a Mini PC – Intel combines this in the NUC 10 NUC10i7FNH. In this way, multithreaded tasks can be completed in no time.
Intel has chosen to install state-of-the-art components, because with Wi-Fi 6 and the Intel Core i7-10710U, one is well equipped for the future. In addition, the small computer has a very modern port configuration. The fact that the current NUC has only one HDMI output is not a problem, since the Thunderbolt 3 port is far more productive and versatile. There is also an SD card reader including UHS II support.
Unfortunately, not much has been changed in terms of optics, which makes it hard to tell the NUC apart from its predecessors. However, connoisseurs will quickly recognize the current version based on the existing ports. The aesthetics of the Mini PC are true to the idea that what is familiar is good and it shouldn't be changed. In doing so, its look and workmanship are convincing, although we would've liked a slightly more robust alternative for the top. We also criticize the cooling system, because the high-frequency noise is exhausting in the long run.
But which NUC is the better one? In the end, it is up to each user to decide which priorities prevail. Having such a small system with 6 cores and 12 threads is quite something. But it also comes with a price. The slightly cheaper Core i5-10210U model is not noticeably slower in everyday life. If simple office applications are required, the smaller model is enough. However, the NUC 10 NUC10i7FNH is also suitable for more processing-intensive applications such as image editing or simple video editing. But the high-performance NUC is also suitable as a small workstation for virtual machines.