Marsha Stevenson 
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon is one of the most powerful small-form-factor PCs on the market. Boasting an Intel Core i7 processor, up to 2TB of solid-state storage, and up to 32GB of RAM, it offers desktop-level power in a package no bigger than a shoebox.
Let’s examine what this PC can offer and determine whether it’s still a small-form-factor PC.
Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon: is this still a small-form-factor PC?
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon is a small form factor PC with plenty of performance and great connectivity options. This new Intel NUC (Next Unit of Computing) model features a powerful 10th Gen Intel Core processor, Iris Plus Graphics, and up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, so it can handle graphic-intensive applications.
The integrated GPU can have impressive visuals with smooth frame rates for gaming or content creation. In addition, the USB Type C port provides reliable wired connections and a wireless AX201 WiFi 6 module enables fast internet speeds with low latency and improved performance in congested networks.
With an M.2 SSD which can be configured up to 1TB along with two additional SATA connectors for added storage capacity, this mini PC is a powerful workhorse that can easily fit into tight spaces like HTPC builds and other slim enclosures, making it perfect for any home office or small business setup.
Design and Features
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon (code-named Ghost Canyon NUC) is the latest small-form-factor PC from Intel. This PC has powerful features, including the latest Intel 11th Gen Core i7-11700K processor and up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM.
Despite its small size, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon offers enough computing power for everyday tasks and demanding workloads.
Let’s take a closer look at its design and features.
Size and Weight
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon is a small-form-factor PC with powerful performance in a compact package. The system features a 4.7” x 5.8” chassis and weighs just 2.41 lbs, making it incredibly easy to carry or mount. Despite its diminutive size, the NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon is surprisingly capable. It offers up to an 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, Intel Iris Xe Graphics and up to 64GB of 2933MHz DDR4 RAM for outstanding multitasking potential.
The robust set of ports include two Thunderbolt 3 ports for connecting external displays and high-speed peripherals, three USB Type-A ports for convenient accessory integration, two DisplayPort 1.4 ports for maximum 4K monitor support, one HDMI 2.0a port (supporting up to 3840×2160@30Hz), double audio jack inputs and an Ethernet port ready to handle ultrafast wired networking speeds as well as Wireless 6 compatibility via Wi-Fi 5/6 AX201 adapter support (included).
In addition, the NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon can be easily customized with optional memory upgrade kits and storage expansion components that elevate this system’s powerhouse even further in terms of overall performance, functionality and energy efficiency.
Connectivity and Ports
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon packs a lot of connectivity and features into its relatively small form factor, not least of which is an impressive array of ports. Consisting of 3 ports (1x USB-C 10Gbps and 2x Thunderbolt™ 4/USB4 40Gbps), the NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon boasts ultra-fast data transfer speeds more capable than most options out there.
Additionally, it also includes a separate HDMI port, plus DisplayPort. An Ethernet port completes this all-round package, allowing you to connect directly to your LAN without needing an extra device. With the Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 adapter delivering Gigabit Wi-Fi speeds, you can enjoy reliable and fast internet connections anywhere.
Specifications and Performance
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon is one of the most powerful and compact mini PCs on the market, offering cutting-edge processing power for serious computing. It features a 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processor with room for up to 64GB of memory and up to 2TB of storage for fast responses to all your tasks. With options for custom cooling, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon also supports a variety of industry-leading ports and accessories so you can have exactly what you need.
This mini PC packs quite a punch in terms of specifications and performance. The quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i9 processor provides superior performance with Turbo Boost speeds up to 4.9GHz (all cores). It’s also equipped with an immense 64GB DDR4 memory capacity, delivering enough power for heavy gaming sessions or professional content creation projects. And thanks to two onboard M.2 connectors, you can quickly add more storage while keeping your PC system lean — great news if you’re limited on space in your home or workplace. The NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon also offers other expansion options such as Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2, HDMI 2.0b and DisplayPort 1.4 for larger connected displays when necessary.
In short, whether you’re into serious gaming or professional computing tasks, this small-form factor Intel NUC 11 Extreme delivers maximum performance in a tiny package that won’t take up too much space on your desk or in your workspace — it still fits within the mini PC experience!
Pros and Cons
Intel’s NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon is smaller than a traditional desktop and provides a powerful performance in a compact package. But, is this small-form-factor PC still powerful enough to meet your needs? Let’s look at the pros and cons of the Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon and see if it can be a suitable solution for you.
Pros
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon is a powerful small-form-factor PC, packing all the cutting-edge features and performance of a traditional full-sized desktop computer in to a far more compact and portable chassis. But, of course, this type of specialist system offers advantages and disadvantages, so let’s take a closer look at what makes this Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF) PC a great choice for those seeking the absolute best computing performance in a discreet package.
Pros:
• Compact size: The NUC 11 is less than 4 inches across, making it easy to tuck out of sight behind other equipment or on the back side of a desk. This also makes transporting between meetings or home/work locations easy.
• Runs on 12V power: All you need is an outlet and your NUC will be ready to go without noisy fans or other large PSU components.
• Powerhouse features: Despite the small size, this machine packs up to 8th generation Intel Core processors, up to 32GB DDR4 RAM and plenty of PCIe storage capacity – making it an ideal choice for gaming and multimedia applications with serious hardware requirements.
• Highly configurable: Choose from several motherboard variants including microATX/miniITX options with NVMe M.2 storage slots (RAID 0/1 support) plus dedicated graphics cards (AMD Radeon Pro Vega 48) up to 25W TDP – perfect for many computationally demanding professional applications like 3D modeling or video editing.
Cons
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon is a powerful small-form-factor PC with some drawbacks. Because of its small size, users may struggle to upgrade components or add additional storage devices. Additionally, this model does not include a dedicated graphics processor, which may be an issue for some who need more computing power.
The size of the case may also cause issues with dissipating heat. This is something to remember if you plan on running intensive programs such as gaming and video editing.
Although the Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon is a powerful computer in a tiny package, it’s important to consider these potential cons before making your purchase.
Conclusion
The Intel NUC 11 Extreme Beast Canyon is an incredibly powerful small-form-factor PC, offering great performance in a relatively small package.
With a wide range of features and components, this PC can handle modern tasks and applications.
In conclusion, the NUC 11 Extreme is a great choice for those looking for a powerful, yet small-form-factor PC.
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