According to "7th-gen-core-family-desktop-s-processor-lines-datasheet-vol-1.pdf":
2.5.8 describes the CPU display support info: "The HDCP 2.2 keys are integrated into the processor and customers are not required to physically configure or handle the keys. HDCP2.2 for HDMI2.0 is covered by the LSPCON platform device." (The LSPCON is the 3rd party motherboard soldered down solution.) DP supports HDCP2.2 with HDR (4k@60 10 bit) HDMI1.4 does supports HDCP2.2 but NO HDR (4k@30 8 bit) HDMI2.0 does supports HDCP2.2 but NO HDR (4k@60 12bit (YUV 420)) HDMI2.1 does supports HDCP2.2 with HDR (4k@60 12bit (YUV 420))
2.4.3.1 describes the CPU Hardware Accelerated Video Decode support: HEVC/H265 (8 bit) Profile: Main, Level: 5.1: Max Resolution: 2160p HEVC/H265 (10 bit) Profile: Main, BT2020, isolate Dec, Level: 5.1, Max Resolution: 2160p
It does not clarify if these are HEVC Version 1 profiles or HEVC Version 2 profiles. It does says "All supported media codecs operate on 8 bpc, YCbCr 4:2:0 video profiles.".
Of note is the CPU maxes out at HEVC level 5.1 whereas the HEVC spec goes up to level 6.2, and videos can be found online using levels above 5.1, thus they won't be able to be hardware decoded.
Hmm... Doesn't sound too good – I mean many people (including me) are probably hoping to playback HVEC encoded videos with GPU acceleration on their Kaby Lake computers. So you're saying this won't work with certain HEVC files over a certain level? I'm not deeply knowledgeable how HEVC works – this about levels is new to me.
Like all NUC form factor systems, this one is adorably cute! Cooling looks like its done via the internal fan and movement of air so it's a candidate for a collection of kitten stickers on the outside. Those won't hurt internal temps, I'm thinking because of the case being made from plastic.
Too bad about the heat issues. It probably won't be a problem under normal use right from the start, but dust buildup might take its toll over time. I do wish companies overbuilt their cooling systems a bit to tolerate fan slowdown and dust.
Does a company really need to do something like that with a NUC box? The CPU is soldered down and the motherboards can't be swapped out so the obsolescence is already implied. Designing and installing effective cooling probably would save a company money on in-warranty returns and build goodwill toward the brand by limiting failures and possible erratic behavior.
Your logic is sound, but most failures don't occur within the warranty period. Sometimes it seems they set the warranty period based on failure rates during QA testing. If they have a 50% failure rate on year 4 they just make sure the warranty is 3 years (oversimplified and inaccurate figures but that's the gist of it). Auto manufacturers have been doing this for decades, there was a reason most powertrain warranties went to 50,000 miles but massive head gasket failures or transmission failures would occur at 60k (I experienced both with GM products which is why they won't be getting any more of my hard earned money).
It's like you took the words out of my mouth, i really dislike fanned systems because of the dust build up that you will eventually get. No matter what you do, dust will always find its way into your system somehow. Also one of the reasons why i bought my self one of these. https://www.logicsupply.com/eu-en/ml100g-50/
Same experience on my i5-7600k with HD630...only reason I bothered trying was because my 1070 took a week longer to arrive than the rest of the parts. I wasn't optimistic going in but figured I'd see what Intel GPU's can do since I haven't really toyed with one since my 4th gen Haswell laptop.
I'm still incredibly dissapointed in intel's lack of improvements in the iGPU race. HD 630 is onyl, on average, 2FPS faster in games then the hd 4600 from haswell.
three years and a whole 2FPS, mostly thanks to a better memory controller. Why cant intel start offering more chips with iris graphics?
I haven't really looked into iGPU performance improvements at all since Ivy Bridge's HD 4000. Is that really all we've gained in the past few years out of non-Iris Intel graphics? They've got to be hitting some kind of shared system memory bottleneck that makes it a difficult prospect to wring more out of their iGPUs. Though that doesn't explain the A-series GPUs being fairly quick despite lacking any sort of additional memory bandwidth.
There's not much to look into unless you play mostly older games. People are creative and I've seen playable frame rates on non-Iris IGP newer games, but it usually involves 720p resolution and minimal settings or INI hacks to disable engine features. Even the most powerful Intel IGP (Iris Pro) chokes on games like Doom (2016) and Tomb Raider (latest). Context is everything. https://youtu.be/LV8Msa-Pxl8
Thanks for the response. I'd gotten a vague sense that Intel wasn't really leaping ahead with iGPU performance by the fact that the company's announcements stressed additional features as opposed to "x-times more performance" or "y-percent faster than last gen graphics" but I didn't realize things have gotten so stagnant recently. The fact that Iris exists sort of glosses over and distracts from the much more common eDRAM-less iGPU performance.
*rant disclaimer* Iris has really done a lot of damage to the GPU market in general. By raising the bar of iGPU performance to the point where lower end discrete cards are rivaled by Iris parts, Intel's effectively eliminated the low end discrete GPU segment altoghether. At the same time, Iris is an uncommon thing so while the performance exists, it's not available for purchase and there aren't GPUs available to fill the gap between the iGPUs you can actually buy and the bottom end of the current discrete GPU product stack. Thanks for that crap Intel. Thanks a lot for sticking us with the choice of a 75W TDP discrete card or an anemic iGPU that hasn't gotten faster in years.
The GTX630 (or 730, or whatever nvidia deems should fill its place) is your friend... 25watt max, faster than OBG... and only tends to add 3watts at idle...
I know...but money. It's an easy corner to cut, annoyingly. I can't tell you how many OEM systems I upgrade monthly from crap non-AC or crap 1x1 mPCIe adapters. And it's not the simplest part to upgrade, either, when you are dealing with Dell, HP and Lenovo's obsession with whitelisting specific parts.
"After some back and forth with ASRock, and getting hold of an updated LSPCon firmware and BIOS (v1.60), we were able to get Netflix 4K streams to work."
Any word on the availability of the updated LSPcon firmware? Is it available for download, are new units being shipped with it yet?...
AT's articles are broadly representative of what the computer industry is doing. Presuming you're interest is in DIY desktop computers, there are exactly two GPU companies and two CPU companies that release new products at predictable intervals with predictable increases in performance. Honestly, there's not much to talk about that would keep those sorts of people happy between release cycles. It'd therefore be more accurate to say that the computer industry no longer cares what Ranger1065 is interested in.
Could you advise me please, Im looking for NUC pc and choose two favorites: This model and Zotac Zbox CI543 Does this model make some noize ? It important because nettop will work 24 hours near my bed. Zotac is fanless and I guest its absolutely quite, but has older processor and video. Please help me to choose.
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
33 Comments
Back to Article
zepi - Tuesday, February 7, 2017 - link
Did you by any chance test HDR playback over HDMI 2.0 connection to HDR 4K TV?lordmocha - Tuesday, February 7, 2017 - link
According to "7th-gen-core-family-desktop-s-processor-lines-datasheet-vol-1.pdf":2.5.8 describes the CPU display support info:
"The HDCP 2.2 keys are integrated into the processor and customers are not required to physically configure or handle the keys. HDCP2.2 for HDMI2.0 is covered by the LSPCON platform device." (The LSPCON is the 3rd party motherboard soldered down solution.)
DP supports HDCP2.2 with HDR (4k@60 10 bit)
HDMI1.4 does supports HDCP2.2 but NO HDR (4k@30 8 bit)
HDMI2.0 does supports HDCP2.2 but NO HDR (4k@60 12bit (YUV 420))
HDMI2.1 does supports HDCP2.2 with HDR (4k@60 12bit (YUV 420))
2.4.3.1 describes the CPU Hardware Accelerated Video Decode support:
HEVC/H265 (8 bit) Profile: Main, Level: 5.1: Max Resolution: 2160p
HEVC/H265 (10 bit) Profile: Main, BT2020, isolate Dec, Level: 5.1, Max Resolution: 2160p
It does not clarify if these are HEVC Version 1 profiles or HEVC Version 2 profiles. It does says "All supported media codecs operate on 8 bpc, YCbCr 4:2:0 video profiles.".
lordmocha - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
Of note is the CPU maxes out at HEVC level 5.1 whereas the HEVC spec goes up to level 6.2, and videos can be found online using levels above 5.1, thus they won't be able to be hardware decoded.vdpauinfo output would be nice to see
star-affinity - Saturday, February 18, 2017 - link
Hmm... Doesn't sound too good – I mean many people (including me) are probably hoping to playback HVEC encoded videos with GPU acceleration on their Kaby Lake computers. So you're saying this won't work with certain HEVC files over a certain level? I'm not deeply knowledgeable how HEVC works – this about levels is new to me.star-affinity - Saturday, February 18, 2017 - link
Sorry HVEC = HEVC there the first time I mentioned it.mikeroch - Monday, February 20, 2017 - link
Wow, it just look great. I believe it will rock and boost the system of http://http-192-168-1-1.net/DanNeely - Tuesday, February 7, 2017 - link
Is it just weird perspective, or is the computer shown on the packaging a much longer model than the one that was reviewed?BrokenCrayons - Tuesday, February 7, 2017 - link
Like all NUC form factor systems, this one is adorably cute! Cooling looks like its done via the internal fan and movement of air so it's a candidate for a collection of kitten stickers on the outside. Those won't hurt internal temps, I'm thinking because of the case being made from plastic.Too bad about the heat issues. It probably won't be a problem under normal use right from the start, but dust buildup might take its toll over time. I do wish companies overbuilt their cooling systems a bit to tolerate fan slowdown and dust.
fanofanand - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
That would blow up the "planned obsolescence" strategy.BrokenCrayons - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
Does a company really need to do something like that with a NUC box? The CPU is soldered down and the motherboards can't be swapped out so the obsolescence is already implied. Designing and installing effective cooling probably would save a company money on in-warranty returns and build goodwill toward the brand by limiting failures and possible erratic behavior.fanofanand - Thursday, February 9, 2017 - link
Your logic is sound, but most failures don't occur within the warranty period. Sometimes it seems they set the warranty period based on failure rates during QA testing. If they have a 50% failure rate on year 4 they just make sure the warranty is 3 years (oversimplified and inaccurate figures but that's the gist of it). Auto manufacturers have been doing this for decades, there was a reason most powertrain warranties went to 50,000 miles but massive head gasket failures or transmission failures would occur at 60k (I experienced both with GM products which is why they won't be getting any more of my hard earned money).OzzyLogic - Monday, February 20, 2017 - link
It's like you took the words out of my mouth, i really dislike fanned systems because of the dust build up that you will eventually get. No matter what you do, dust will always find its way into your system somehow. Also one of the reasons why i bought my self one of these. https://www.logicsupply.com/eu-en/ml100g-50/thesloth - Tuesday, February 7, 2017 - link
I probably just need to RTFA properly, but I don't see any graphics or mention of noise (dB). For a HTPC I would have thought that relevant.Sene - Tuesday, February 7, 2017 - link
Why don't you test the GPU with MadVR. Even if it has limited power it would be interesting to know the best settings it can supportDavid_K - Tuesday, February 7, 2017 - link
From my testing with a 7700K and its build in HD 630, madVR is just too heavy for the gpu, on 4K videos it becomes a stutterfest.Samus - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
Same experience on my i5-7600k with HD630...only reason I bothered trying was because my 1070 took a week longer to arrive than the rest of the parts. I wasn't optimistic going in but figured I'd see what Intel GPU's can do since I haven't really toyed with one since my 4th gen Haswell laptop.TheinsanegamerN - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
I'm still incredibly dissapointed in intel's lack of improvements in the iGPU race. HD 630 is onyl, on average, 2FPS faster in games then the hd 4600 from haswell.three years and a whole 2FPS, mostly thanks to a better memory controller. Why cant intel start offering more chips with iris graphics?
Raven ridge cant get here soon enough.
BrokenCrayons - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
I haven't really looked into iGPU performance improvements at all since Ivy Bridge's HD 4000. Is that really all we've gained in the past few years out of non-Iris Intel graphics? They've got to be hitting some kind of shared system memory bottleneck that makes it a difficult prospect to wring more out of their iGPUs. Though that doesn't explain the A-series GPUs being fairly quick despite lacking any sort of additional memory bandwidth.nathanddrews - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
There's not much to look into unless you play mostly older games. People are creative and I've seen playable frame rates on non-Iris IGP newer games, but it usually involves 720p resolution and minimal settings or INI hacks to disable engine features. Even the most powerful Intel IGP (Iris Pro) chokes on games like Doom (2016) and Tomb Raider (latest). Context is everything.https://youtu.be/LV8Msa-Pxl8
BrokenCrayons - Thursday, February 9, 2017 - link
Thanks for the response. I'd gotten a vague sense that Intel wasn't really leaping ahead with iGPU performance by the fact that the company's announcements stressed additional features as opposed to "x-times more performance" or "y-percent faster than last gen graphics" but I didn't realize things have gotten so stagnant recently. The fact that Iris exists sort of glosses over and distracts from the much more common eDRAM-less iGPU performance.*rant disclaimer* Iris has really done a lot of damage to the GPU market in general. By raising the bar of iGPU performance to the point where lower end discrete cards are rivaled by Iris parts, Intel's effectively eliminated the low end discrete GPU segment altoghether. At the same time, Iris is an uncommon thing so while the performance exists, it's not available for purchase and there aren't GPUs available to fill the gap between the iGPUs you can actually buy and the bottom end of the current discrete GPU product stack. Thanks for that crap Intel. Thanks a lot for sticking us with the choice of a 75W TDP discrete card or an anemic iGPU that hasn't gotten faster in years.
fanofanand - Thursday, February 9, 2017 - link
This is probably why they are tapping AMD for iGPU's, or at least those are the rumors.surfnaround - Tuesday, February 21, 2017 - link
The GTX630 (or 730, or whatever nvidia deems should fill its place) is your friend...25watt max, faster than OBG... and only tends to add 3watts at idle...
Sene - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
thanks but I want to use only for 1080p, no 4K files. Would that be OK with basic settings ?HideOut - Tuesday, February 7, 2017 - link
When they gonna learn to use 2x2 AC wireless...Samus - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
I know...but money. It's an easy corner to cut, annoyingly. I can't tell you how many OEM systems I upgrade monthly from crap non-AC or crap 1x1 mPCIe adapters. And it's not the simplest part to upgrade, either, when you are dealing with Dell, HP and Lenovo's obsession with whitelisting specific parts.fanofanand - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
You are undoubtedly right but it's still a big impact on the user experience waiting for videos to buffer. Seems like another stupid beancounter idea.lordmocha - Wednesday, February 8, 2017 - link
"After some back and forth with ASRock, and getting hold of an updated LSPCon firmware and BIOS (v1.60), we were able to get Netflix 4K streams to work."Any word on the availability of the updated LSPcon firmware? Is it available for download, are new units being shipped with it yet?...
ganeshts - Thursday, February 9, 2017 - link
Latest LSPCon firmware with HDCP 2.2 support is already available for download in the Utilities section here:http://www.asrock.com/nettop/Intel/Beebox-S%20Seri...
I will check with them on the BIOS...
Ranger1065 - Friday, February 10, 2017 - link
It's abundantly clear that Anandtech no longer gives a damn about what its readers are interested in.BrokenCrayons - Friday, February 10, 2017 - link
AT's articles are broadly representative of what the computer industry is doing. Presuming you're interest is in DIY desktop computers, there are exactly two GPU companies and two CPU companies that release new products at predictable intervals with predictable increases in performance. Honestly, there's not much to talk about that would keep those sorts of people happy between release cycles. It'd therefore be more accurate to say that the computer industry no longer cares what Ranger1065 is interested in.Unton - Wednesday, March 15, 2017 - link
Could you advise me please,Im looking for NUC pc and choose two favorites:
This model and Zotac Zbox CI543
Does this model make some noize ?
It important because nettop will work 24 hours near my bed.
Zotac is fanless and I guest its absolutely quite, but has older processor and video.
Please help me to choose.
david123 - Wednesday, August 23, 2017 - link
Wow, it just look great. I believe it will rock and boost the system of http://192-168.bizadam22 - Friday, September 15, 2017 - link
Thanks for great review. Where can i find it at lower price ? http://www.192168.info