Conclusion
A powerful energy-efficient processor makes this barebone optimal for a more demanding office or for multimedia. Its format is minimalistic, which in other words always means a challenge that is often accompanied by various compromises. Nearly hundreds of measurements can tell you more about how the Taiwanese manufacturer managed to create simple but effective design. We also included tests without a fan.
Conclusion
Well done! Sure, there are few shortcomings here, but basic things work superbly well. Unfortunately, the BIOS is really limited and you cannot do much with poor processor settings. You can just choose the number of cores, (de)activate EIST, turbo boost, C states, and HT, but there is nothing more in advanced options. We presume that the possibility to lower the voltage would appeal to many of you.
The fan control is excellent. PWM regulation is finally rational. The “smart” profile is optimized for silent operation. It switches to higher RPM only with really high temperatures. With extreme load (which is quite difficult to achieve in common situations), the processor begins to lower the multiplier even at the maximum speed (6250 rpm) of the fan. However, it is more or less symbolic, from 31 to 30. It is still closer to the boost than to the base frequency even with really high temperatures.
Cooling is silent even during a more demanding work, for example when compressing images. When playing a video, you basically cannot hear anything and temperatures are totally fine, even those of VRM. Also, it is commendable that the configuration does not produce any other disturbing sounds. There is no need to worry about some annoying noise during evening work or while watching a movie. iGPU had no trouble with Jellyfish with high data rate (120 Mbps). Flawless image – that means from frame to frame in 16.67 ms (average). Peaks are 40 ms, but they are characteristic for this video.
Since it is a desktop, more USB ports or boosted Wi-Fi range would be nice. The price is relatively high, but we need to take into account that smaller things are usually more expensive. The volume is about 35 times smaller than the volume of a regular midi-tower. Furthermore, this is smaller serial production. SFF is still not a mainstream, although it could be at least in offices. And also, Intel charges quite a lot for the processor. The MSRP is 240 €. Compared to a desktop versions with similar performance, there is lower power consumption, which makes Shuttle NC03U5 more economical in the long run. By the way, the standby power consumption is 0.5 W.
| Shuttle NC03U5 |
| + really small size |
| + efficiency, power/watt ratio |
| + truly intelligent and silent PWM control. Only really high CPU temperatures are noticeable |
| + cooling design. None of the components will be overheated. Safe operation even with HDD |
| + serial COM port included |
| + massive stands + installation via VESA console |
| + good quality workmanship |
| – high noise level at the maximum load, which causes trouble for the cooler |
| – weaker Wi-Fi signal and no possibility to connect an external receiver |
| – only two USB 2.0 ports for peripheral connections |
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- Contents
- Parameters, details, and assembly
- Test procedures
- In idle
- Video decoding (HEVC)
- Image compression
- In burn (+ thermal images)
- No fan
- Performance tests: transcoding and Mafia II
- Synthetics: Cinebench and 3DMark
- Conclusion
