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Intel Reveals Unlocked, Socketed Broadwell and Core i7 NUC With Iris Graphics

Posted by timothy on from the faster-all-the-time dept.

MojoKid writes Intel held an event at a location adjacent to GDC last night, where the company discussed some updates to its 5th Gen Core processor line-up, Intel graphics developments, the Intel Hardware SDK, and its various game developer tools. Chris Silva, Director of Marketing for Premium Notebook and Client Graphics teams disclosed a few details that a socketed, unlocked, 65W desktop processor based on Intel's Broadwell architecture, featuring Iris graphics, is due to arrive sometime in mid-2015. It's noteworthy because this will be Intel's first desktop CPU with Iris Pro graphics and because it is multiplier unlocked. It will be interesting to see what Iris Pro can do with some overclocking. Intel then showed off a new NUC mini PC powered by a 28W, quad-core Core i7 Broadwell processor, which also featured Iris graphics. The device has a tiny .63 liter enclosure with support for high-performance M.2 solid state drives and features an array of built-in IO options, like USB3, BT4, and 802.11ac WiFi. Bryan Langley, Principal PM for Windows Graphics also talked a bit about DirectX 12, disclosing that the company would be ready with DX12 support when Windows 10 arrives and that there are optimizations in DX12 and their drivers that would deliver performance enhancements to current and future Intel graphics platforms.

51 comments

  1. Unlocked by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Is the BIOS unlocked? I'm reluctant to trust anything from Intel, with their recent anti-freedom actions against Coreboot, locking BIOSes, and requiring mandatory digitally signed proprietary Management Engine firmware and microcode.

    1. Re:Unlocked by jbolden · · Score: 0

      These are CPUs there is no BIOS. Also a great deal of what you list above isn't Intel. Maybe you might want to know more about what you are objecting to.

    2. Re:Unlocked by halltk1983 · · Score: 2

      Pretty sure the NUC mini PC is a little more than a processor.

      --
      Watch for Penguins, they eat Apples and throw rocks at Windows.
    3. Re:Unlocked by jbolden · · Score: 0

      Sure the NUC is, but the point of the article seems to be the next generation of Intel processors.

      If he actually meant the NUC the core of the NUC is a kit for OEM's to create prototypes for embedded systems and hobbyists to do the same. The BIOS by default is Intel Visual BIOS which is designed for configuration even of things like fan speeds and clocking. And of course that BIOS can be blown away and replaced easily by design. So I'm not sure how that makes the problem of ignorance any better.

    4. Re:Unlocked by CajunArson · · Score: 0

      Wow there AC. You seem to have posted quite the copy & paste job there accusing Intel of all sorts of nefarious stuff.

      We all know that Intel is obviously just a vast evil criminal conspiracy whose entire purpose is to destroy Linux, which is why Linus Torvalds bravely chose to only run Linux on ARM starting in 1974. This article is a lie: http://www.linuxfoundation.org...

      So to whom do you give your fanboy allegiance that you use as an excuse to lie at will? AMD or somebody more creative? Have you considered kidnapping homeless people and harvesting their organs to raise money for Richard Stallman? We wouldn't want to be negative in the Freedom Dimension, now would we?

      --
      AntiFA: An abbreviation for Anti First Amendment.
    5. Re:Unlocked by stevel · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The NUC BIOS (EFI, really) defaults to having "secure boot" disabled. You can install any software you want on a NUC system. I just got one of the Core i3 Broadwell NUCs and it's delightful.

    6. Re:Unlocked by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      that's his point, Intel has recently added protections (starting with Haswell) that, if enabled, prevent the end user from replacing the BIOS/firmware with an alternative (eg, coreboot)

    7. Re:Unlocked by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      The NUC systems really are pretty damn nice from a geek perspective. They ship bare. No OS. Install-your-own storage, memory, peripherals. They explicitly support linux and windows. TPM/Secure boot are off by default (But you can enable them if you want/need them)

      They're made by Intel and thus have much better build quality and support than even the best taiwanese makers. Particularly when it comes to things like power management. (No 'It boots windows ship it!' shit-pile broken implementations)

      They're not /completely/ customizable, but keep in mind what they are. A tiny, VERY low power, system at a reasonable price. There are obvious thermal load and power limitations so you don't get much ability to overclock (Other than the ability to lightly tweak tweak or disable the thermal-throttled asymmetric core clocking scheme intel calls "Turbo Boost", on processors that sport said feature) They're also very tiny systems with limited room inside- Though you do have the abilty to pick your own memory, wifi, and SSD on most models.

    8. Re:Unlocked by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      A new socket requires new chipsets, which Intel does make. Intel does specify the BIOS, even if they don't write it. The management engine is all Intel. The microcode is all Intel.

    9. Re:Unlocked by jbolden · · Score: 2

      I understand. Coreboot depends on Intel Boot Guard. Intel Boot Guard gives whoever first buys the CPU a one time key, along with other features. I'm not sure what there is to not trust about that scheme.

    10. Re:Unlocked by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Indeed they haven't stripped everything out of the mother board yet.

    11. Re:Unlocked by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no, you don't - it has nothing to do with the CPU. As a consumer, you have no access to the key, it's available only to the mainboard OEM, and there's zero chance of you getting it from them. So, one cannot flash coreboot onto a mainboard which has Boot Guard enabled and expect to have a functional device.

    12. Re:Unlocked by jbolden · · Score: 1

      You are making a different point. The claim originally was about not trusting Intel. Your claim is about the fact that you need specialized hardware to flash the CPU which is true. As far as wanting to install your own BIOS just buy one with Boot Guard not enabled if you want to install your own BIOS. Who are you are guarding against as a consumer?

    13. Re: Unlocked by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I agree. I too just got the new Broadwell i3 version and I'm am absolutely thrilled. The only thing I noticed in the bios when I first got it was the check-box for Hyper-Threading was not enabled. Easy fix, check.

  2. For those that don't read foreign by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    .62L is just under 40 cubic inches, given that 6.5L is about 400 cu. in.

    1. Re:For those that don't read foreign by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

      They'll never learn if you keep helping them convert in their kid-friendly system.

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    2. Re: For those that don't read foreign by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Could you do a car analogy?

    3. Re: For those that don't read foreign by Farmer+Tim · · Score: 1

      Roughly the same volume as the headlight from an original VW beetle.

      Well, you asked...

      --
      Blank until /. makes another boneheaded UI decision.
    4. Re: For those that don't read foreign by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      About 0.62 kilograms of water. Bit more fuel. Not sure about diesel. Is diesel more dense than water? I NEED to know!

      Funny how the world still speaks American as THE standard language. If you can't speak American you may as well just stay home.

    5. Re:For those that don't read foreign by BlackHawk-666 · · Score: 1

      How much is that in hogsheads?

      --
      All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
  3. Apple by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

    Those Intel NUC makes the Apple Mac mini look like an Apple Mac Maxi.

    Wake up, Apple. The company providing the CPUs for your computers can make computers smaller than your own.

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    1. Re:Apple by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

      ... just don't put stickers in the front.

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    2. Re:Apple by ArhcAngel · · Score: 2

      CompuLab's Fitlet does that to the NUC.

      --
      "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
    3. Re:Apple by itsdapead · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Those Intel NUC makes the Apple Mac mini look like an Apple Mac Maxi.

      Except the Mac Mini includes a built-in power supply, while the NUC needs an external power brick half as big as the computer.

      Maybe this new processor will mean the future return of the quad-core mini, though.

      --
      In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.
    4. Re:Apple by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Except you cant get a Quad i7 fitlet.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    5. Re:Apple by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Does that really matter? People who want Macs are only in the Mac market, and will have zero interest in a NUC. People who don't want Macs but are interested in somewhat small machines, might be interested in the NUC but will have no interest in Macs. The two boxes might look similar but they are in different markets.

      The car analogy is that I might be strongly considering a Honda Civic, but then you inform me that John Deere makes something that can pull a heavier plow. Strangely, this has little influence on my decision. Even weirder, you tell a farmer who is looking at tractors, that Honda makes something better suited for long road trips, and he doesn't care either. And yet you weren't wrong! You're actually a kick-ass fact machine! The problem is that what you said was completely irrelevant.

    6. Re:Apple by ranton · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Problem is this NUC with a quad i7, 16gb ram and 256gb SSD costs a lot more than the mac mini in the same configuration.
      I though Intel was supposed to be better performance at lower prices than apple.

      A Mac Mini with those specs costs $1400 with gen4 intel processors (will probably be the same price when gen5 is released). I didn't see any prices for the Intel versions but it will likely be under $1400.

      The 4th gen i7 Intel NUC is $400 after rebate from Amazon right now. Add 16 GB of SODIMM RAM for $150 and a 256GB SSD for $200 (both are high figures) and you have a Mac Mini equivalent for $750. I might be missing something, but probably not $650 worth of missed items.

      --
      -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
    7. Re:Apple by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Would you buy a laptop with such a stupid design?

      Yes. External power bricks are a PITA. Okay you prefer them, but many of us don't.

      I'm rocking multiple new mac minis, and the cabling and over all manageability is way neater for me than with external power bricks.

      I won't be buying a NUC while they insist on the fuggly, bulky, clumsy, separate PSU design. I guess I feel as strongly as you, but the other way. Good thing there's a market. I won't buy NUCs, and you can not buy Mac Minis.

    8. Re:Apple by fnj · · Score: 1

      Problem is this NUC with a quad i7, 16gb ram and 256gb SSD costs a lot more than the mac mini in the same configuration.

      Citation? A Mac Mini configured with an i7 and 16GB and a 256GB SSD is $1399 (I just went to store.apple.com to find out). The equivalent NUC is not going to be "a lot more" than that. In fact I will bet it will be not more at all. It will be less. But we're going to have to wait for the thing to actually be stocked anywhere so we can see the actual selling price.

      The Mac Mini in its current incarnation is also GIGANTIC. Check it out. 19.7x19.7cm compared to the NUC at 11.5x11.1cm. That is THREE TIMES the area.

    9. Re:Apple by Red+Herring · · Score: 4, Interesting

      > People who want Macs are only in the Mac market, and will have zero interest in a NUC

      My Hackintosh would disagree. NUCs make great iMacs... just velcro them to the back of a display of your choice. Combined with a nice VISA mount, provides a very clean setup with acceptable performance, for 1/4 the cost of 'real' Apple hardware.

      I will admit to lusting after a 27" 5K display, though...

      --
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    10. Re:Apple by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      I'm rocking multiple new mac minis

      Are you "rocking" them? Really?

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    11. Re:Apple by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Are you "rocking" them? Really?

      He's rocking them like rocks all day, in his cradle of love, which also rocks.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    12. Re:Apple by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

      I've never installed a credit card at the back of my monitor, but if that works for you then I'm happy.

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    13. Re:Apple by Kjella · · Score: 1

      My Hackintosh would disagree. NUCs make great iMacs... just velcro them to the back of a display of your choice. Combined with a nice VISA mount, provides a very clean setup with acceptable performance, for 1/4 the cost of 'real' Apple hardware.

      Haven't you heard that NFC is now the hip, cool thing? That is so last year.

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    14. Re:Apple by munwin99 · · Score: 1

      He's rocking them like rocks all day, in his cradle of love, which also rocks.

      [coffee spilt] Oh for mod points - +1 funny :-)

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    15. Re:Apple by toddestan · · Score: 2

      Keep in mind that the Intel NUCs can be had with a quad-core i7. The Mac Mini is only available with the mobile dual-core i7. So besides being cheaper, you also get twice the cores.

  4. Not bad... by ddtmm · · Score: 2

    Off hand the specs look pretty attractive. All that remains is the price point. This will either bury the Mac Mini or prompt Apple to get back in the game.

    1. Re:Not bad... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They might work well for a Hackintosh...

    2. Re:Not bad... by ddtmm · · Score: 1

      exactly

    3. Re:Not bad... by slazzy · · Score: 1

      I really wish Apple would offer the i7 quadcore again in the mini. This looks like a great new option for me.

      --
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  5. Re:I like beta by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That would make it difficult to type.

  6. Bay Trail NUCs are lousy: Buyer beware by Big_Breaker · · Score: 3, Insightful

    My first D54250WYKH couldn't even get through the OS install. It had IO errors that were unrecoverable every time. The second NUC would consistently take a Kubuntu install but has intermittent kernel panics and reboots for seemingly no reason. And it near bricks using any kind of suspend mode in Linux - everyone is having that problem. You have to disassemble the whole NUC and pull the CMOS battery to get it to boot after any sort of suspend. Suspend is pretty important because these small cases use small, loud fans. Just a modern desktop, an idling modern desktop, is enough load on the GPU to throttle up the fan to full RPM.

    I posted about my troubles on the NUC forums, along with many others. Intel says they don't officially support Linux so it's on you to fix. That's interesting because they sell the NUC with no OS. If it's intended to be windows only they should sell it with windows. Also in the firmware notes they talk about fixing a bug that was effecting Openelec, so obviously Linux is part of their testing.

    1. Re:Bay Trail NUCs are lousy: Buyer beware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your experience is odd. I've had the exact same D54250WYK model for about 15 months. I've been running Fedora on it since day one and have had zero problems. I have not experienced a single kernel panic or random reboot like you describe. This is my main desktop computer so it gets daily use. Maybe you have some bad RAM or its just Kubuntu that has issues.

    2. Re:Bay Trail NUCs are lousy: Buyer beware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You need to keep the NUC firmware up-to-date. As with some other Intel embedded platforms (such as the SoCs), you don't get updated firmware blobs from the usual sources (such as the public intel microcode package) unless it happens to be shared with the regular mobile/desktop parts. And these updates do matter, they fix hideous crashes, suspend/resume/power management issues, perf monitoring issues (which can show up in Linux because they might be in use behind the scenes for something the kernel or the userspace stack wants to do), etc.

  7. Wait a minute.. by edxwelch · · Score: 1

    Isn't desktop Skylake, the successor to Broadwell, launching at the same time? This will be the first Intel CPU that's already out of date at launch

    1. Re:Wait a minute.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There are rumors that Intel will be tapering the number of socketed processors they sell.

      Soldered-on cpu systems are more reliable, cheaper, have much fewer parts, and are more compact.

      Socketed processors exist today, quite literally, for supply chain and financial reasons. That's it.

      The CPU is a big chunk of a system's cost, and it's logistically easier to marry them to systems at other than build time. There's also accounting issues that come up when you order, say, 100,000 at a time. Sometimes the loan you need to cover the processor order won't come in when the other parts are ready, or vice versa.

      Progress is eliminating the reasons to keep processors socketed in most markets, so you'll see them go away. They'll probably remain for enthusiast systems and workstations. For everything else they'll dissapear.

  8. Re:I like beta by __aanbvm4272 · · Score: 1

    room for all 10 of them fingers?