Key Points
- The Intel NUC 13 Pro and NUC Extreme are powerful desktop computers that offer impressive performance and versatility.
- The NUC 13 Pro is a compact and portable option, perfect for business or educational purposes, while the NUC Extreme is a larger, gaming-focused PC with a more traditional design.
- Both computers feature Intel Core processors, with the NUC Pro offering a powerful i7-1360P CPU and the NUC Extreme boasting an even more powerful i9-12900 processor with 24 cores.
- The NUC Extreme excels in graphics performance, making it a great choice for gaming and content creation, while the NUC 13 Pro offers a more balanced performance for multimedia and everyday tasks.
- The NUC Extreme comes with a higher price tag compared to the NUC 13 Pro, but offers additional storage options and higher RAM capacity.
There are many flavors of NUCs, but today we’re comparing two of the most potent: the Intel NUC 13 Pro vs. NUC Extreme. Can these little guys really back up their names? Or is it all hype?
The NUC series has been innovating desktop computing for the past decade. Their intricate, memorable designs make them a fierce competitor in their market.
These little computers are designed for seemingly anything you can put your mind to, but the Pro and Extreme versions give you even more horsepower to tackle heavy computing. Let’s find out how these two hold up against each other and against the competition from other desktops.
Intel NUC 13 Pro vs. NUC Extreme: Full Comparison
The Intel NUC 13 Pro is a bit unassuming at first glance. It shouldn’t be the number one choice for a gaming PC, and it certainly is not as flashy as many gaming PCs, but it is powerful enough to get the job done.
It features impressive upgrade potential, powerful processing speeds, and ample storage space. There is not much of a learning curve for this model, so it would be a practical purchase for beginners and experts alike.
The NUC 13 Pro is a better fit for business or educational purposes. Its competitor, the NUC Extreme, is an amazing gaming PC. Or at least it is trying to be. It even looks more like the fancy setups you see your favorite Twitch streamers use.
Based on a new thermal design, the NUC Extreme takes the good parts of older models and drastically improves them. The overall look and feel of the NUC Extreme are classy, sophisticated, and capable.
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Intel NUC 13 Pro vs. NUC Extreme: Side-By-Side Comparison
| NUC 13 Pro | NUC Extreme | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Compact | Large/Desktop |
| Processor | 13th Gen Intel Corei7-1360P, 12 cores (4P+8E), 16 threads, 18MB Intel L3 Cache, 35W TDP | Intel Core i9-12900 16 cores / 24 threads |
| Operating System | Windows | Windows |
| Storage | 512GB PCle X4 NVMe SSD, expandable up to 2TB of 2.5-inch PCleX4 Gen4 SSD or SATA SSD | 256GB (Or More With Upgrade, Up To 8TB) |
| Purpose | Business/Education | Gaming |
| Price | $750 – $1100 | $3000 – $6000 |
- Core i7-1360P CPU
- Up to 5.0 GHz
- 12 Cores
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- Windows 11 Pro
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 24 core CPU
- 64GB DDR5 RAM
- 4TB PCIe SSD
- Windows 11 Pro
Intel NUC 13 Pro vs. NUC Extreme: What’s the Difference?
Both machines are extraordinarily powerful, though they come in extremely different packages. The NUC 13 Pro is compact and portable, designed to do everything you’d expect from a high-performance computer without taking up tons of physical space.
The NUC Extreme follows a much more traditional format, though just as powerful as its smaller counterpart. An impressive gaming machine, the NUC Extreme can do much more than play games with ease. Its versatility is what sets it apart, making it a great choice for people with a number of priorities.
It can become a bit confusing for people who are deciding what computer to buy because both NUC models are occasionally advertised as gaming PCs, despite having completely different markups.
Shopping around for a minute or two, one thing becomes apparent: the NUC Extreme is absurdly expensive compared to the NUC 13 Pro. You’ll pay to the tune of a few thousand dollars more to get the latest NUC Extreme.
So, what do you actually get for this price difference?
Design
The NUC Extreme is a quintessential gaming PC by design. Featuring eye-catching embellishments like an LED skull, this PC is reminiscent of the setups you see used by popular Twitch streamers.
It’s important to note that the NUC Extreme is pretty massive. It’s one of the biggest designs in the NUC series. This is considerable for people who have small desks, rooms, or offices.
Conversely, the NUC 13 Pro could not be more opposite. This isn’t a bad thing; the NUC 13 Pro’s minimal design has its own benefits, but it is certainly made for a different audience. It suits a home office, home theater, or bedroom nicely without taking up any space at all.
The NUC 13 Pro is really small. It is a fraction of the size of the NUC Extreme. The small stature of the PC is what draws most potential buyers towards it.
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Processor
Both computers use Intel Core processors, which are highly competitive, for good reason. Intel Core processors are extremely capable for home desktops. They have completely changed the game for other manufacturers because they are energy efficient yet powerful.
You’ll get a surprisingly powerful Intel Core i7-1360P CPU with the NUC Pro. While not the most souped-up CPU on the market, it offers great bang for your buck with 12 cores and up to 5.00GHz of boost.
Since the NUC’s processor is so good at sipping power, it doesn’t generate a ton of heat when under load. This means that its cooling system can be shockingly small. If you’re wondering how a 13th-generation Intel Core processor can possibly breathe inside that little box, it’s all thanks to one solitary cooling fan.
If you opt for one of the preconfigured Intel NUC Extremes, you’ll get to enjoy the massively powerful Intel Core i9-13900K, an unlocked processor with a whopping 24 cores. This is a huge upgrade over the i7 and will come in handy for more advanced users who need the best video editing, 3D modeling, or computational capabilities.
Graphics
Since the NUC Extreme is designed for gamers and creators, graphics are a major priority. This is possible from the motherboard included in the computer’s kit. It may be small, but it doesn’t come with any restrictions. That way, the graphics are supported by more than a simple, fast CPU.
That said, the NUC Extreme can get very loud when running graphics-heavy programs or games. If you have trouble regulating your computer’s temperature because of your daily use, you might want to avoid this one.
As tempting as it is to get the latest and greatest, you should thoroughly understand your limitations.
Meanwhile, the NUC 13 Pro is less focused on graphics. They’re fine, certainly; however, the NUC Extreme takes the trophy for better graphics when compared directly to the NUC 13 Pro. Users can easily play most games with their NUC 13 Pro. However, if you’re running games that are graphics-heavy, you’ll want the NUC Extreme.
The NUC 13 Pro still does get a bit loud, despite not being graphics-heavy. You’ll learn its capacities relatively quickly, and it will alert you when it’s getting to be too much.
RAM And Storage
Both computers have incredibly large storage units. Adding to the NUC Extreme’s customizability, you can get up to 8TB of storage depending on how much you need, and how large your budget is.
The NUC 13 Pro comes with 16GB or 32GB of RAM. It also comes with 1TB of storage, giving it plenty of room right out of the box. Just like the NUC Extreme, the NUC 13 Pro can be upgraded to fit your needs.
They both offer competitive RAM and storage. The NUC Extreme doesn’t stand out a ton in this arena – instead, its benefits are primarily in the graphics and processing realm. They are arguably equal in this category.
Still, at least you get something extra for your investment with the NUC Extreme. The 4TB and 8TB SSD options are nice, and the 64GB DDR5 RAM preinstalled is worthy of any high-end desktop.
Their massive storage capacities are impressive, regardless of whether or not you’re using them for gaming or content creation. For example, content creators would benefit from both, since they allow a massive amount of space to store videos, books, pictures, and audio.
It is still a good idea to invest in an external hard drive for backup purposes. But the storage capacities on both NUCs are more than enough for most users to go about their day-to-day tasks.
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Software
Both computers also come with the latest Windows operating system. Windows 11 is a major upgrade from any previous edition, as it has taken the good components of Windows and made it better while also improving older issues that may have been discovered.
They both are able to run most apps available on the Google Play store. Again, the NUC Extreme is able to run games that require more from a computer internally.
Paired with the Intel Core processors, the PC’s software is the perfect choice for most operations. You can use them for complex or simple tasks, depending on your needs.
Windows doesn’t mind if you while away the hours scrolling through Facebook or YouTube. But if you like to tinker with the inner workings of software, you’ll be even more pleased to find out that both NUCs are compatible with Linux and Ubuntu.
You’ll have to install these on your own, since the NUC comes preinstalled with Windows. But you can save a few steps and some cash by getting the barebones version of the NUC, which comes without any SSD. This will allow you full control over which SSD you get and which OS you install.
Intel NUC 13 Pro vs. NUC Extreme: 8 Must-Know Facts
NUC 13 Pro:
- Features two ports (USB, HDMI) and a headphone jack in the front.
- More ports (USB-A, ethernet,ThunderBolt) in the back.
- Gets a little loud when it’s under full load.
- Supports Wifi 6-E and Bluetooth.
NUC Extreme:
- All ports (Wifi connector, USB Gen 2, 10G LAN, 2.5 LAN, Thunderbolt 4 Port, HDMI 2.1, Audio Jacks, Power Switch, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0) Port(s), Combo 3.5mm Audio Jack) are in the back of the unit.
- It can get really warm when used for long periods of time.
- Not too loud, for the most part.
- Supports Wifi 6-E and Bluetooth.
Intel NUC 13 Pro vs. NUC Extreme: Which One Is Better? Which Should You Use?
Simply put, the NUC Extreme is a better gaming PC. If gaming is your priority, you should get the NUC Extreme.
That is not to say the NUC 13 Pro cannot suffice as a gaming PC. There is a major cost difference between the NUC 13 Pro and NUC Extreme. You can get a similar quality product for a fraction of the cost with the 13 Pro.
You can get upgrades with the NUC 13 Pro to make it more suitable for gaming, but the NUC Extreme comes with many of these upgrades right out of the box.
NUC 13 Pro vs. NUC Extreme: Deciding Factors
They are both extraordinarily powerful, game-changing computers that are versatile for your home or office. The biggest difference between which NUC computer you choose is mostly what you need it for.
For example, if you need something to create content or play games on Twitch, the NUC Extreme should be your choice.
Conversely, if you’re starting a business from home, the NUC 13 Pro is absolutely wonderful without taking up much space on your desk.
The NUC Extreme is more graphics-heavy, but the NUC 13 Pro is a great multimedia machine. It would do well in a home theater, especially because it takes up little to no space wherever you decide to store it. Throw it behind the TV or even mount it to a compatible monitor mount or arm.
So, to recap:
| NUC 13 Pro | NUC Extreme | |
|---|---|---|
| What It Is | PC | PC |
| Primary Use | Multimedia/Business | Gaming/Content Creation |
| Name | 13 Pro | Extreme |
| Release | 2023 | 2022 |
| Brand | NUC | NUC |
| Size | Compact | Large |
| Operating System | Windows | Windows |
| Manufacturer | Intel | Intel |
- Core i7-1360P CPU
- Up to 5.0 GHz
- 12 Cores
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- Windows 11 Pro
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 24 core CPU
- 64GB DDR5 RAM
- 4TB PCIe SSD
- Windows 11 Pro
