Intel NUC 8 Mainstream-G new models with Radeon 540X GPU

From the Intel website we found information about the new Intel NUC 8 Mainstream-G in two versions NUC8I7INH and NUC8I5INH, two versions that surprise us with the inclusion of the dedicated GPU Radeon 540X with 2GB GDDR5 that will allow us to play powerful titles with the adequate settings. This models as always with a GPU combined can give us some headaches in the streaming aspect as we saw in the review of Intel Hades Canyon.

Processor, RAM and storage

The Intel NUC 8 Mainstream-G miniPC has two versions, the NUC8I5INH version with the Intel Core i5-8265U processor with four cores and eight threads running up to 3.9 GHz and the NUC8I7INH version with the Intel Core processor i7-8565U with four cores and eight threads running up to 4.6 GHz. The two integrate an Intel HD Graphics 620 GPU, the consumption is variable between 10/15/25 W TPD. In the graphical section we have a Radeon 540X GPU with code name Lexa, based on Polaris architecture that has 512 SPs and has 2 GB of GDDR5 memory.

This model in semi-barebone format opts for the option of integrating memory on the board and offers 8GB of LPDDR3 memory at 1866MHz, a peculiar option that can integrate DDR4 with much more speed and lower consumption. As for storage we can choose to buy it without any with a 128GB / 256GB M.2 NVMe disk or with an Intel Optane Memory unit in addition to a 1TB hard disk in SATA 2.5″ disk.

Connectivity and other features

This miniPC includes at Wireless connectivity the Intel adapter with WiFi aC and Bluetooth 5.0. As for connection ports we have 3 USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-A ports, another USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C, HDMI 2.0b video output, Mini DisplayPort 1.2 connector, 3.5mm audio jacks and a Gigabit network connector. It includes a VESA support and external power adapter, in models with disk included the operating system installed as standard is Windows 10.

Price and where to buy

• Intel NUC 8 Mainstream-G is now available on Amazon.com or Newegg.com from about $500 to $1000