Intel NUC 12 Extreme “Dragon Canyon” Punches Above Its Footprint

However, if you plan to play a lot of intense games, you may want to invest in an NVIDIA or AMD-designed GPU. To make use of that, you’ll need the newly announced Intel NUC 12 Extreme Compute Element, which gives you access to a small chassis for your NUC 12 Extreme to fit into. The chassis itself is only 4.72-inches wide, 7.44-inches tall, and 14-inches long. That makes it easy to store in a workspace without having to worry about compromising performance capabilities.

The Intel NUC 12 Extreme Compute Element features support for discrete graphics like an NVIDIA or AMD GPU and even offers some additional M.2 key slots for expanding the system itself. You’ll also find that it is equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 ports and six USB 3.2 Type-A connectors. The model likewise has an Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 card installed, allowing you to connect seamlessly to the internet via ethernet or wireless.

The NUC 12 Extreme will be available starting in Q2 2022 and will range from $1,150 to $1,450, depending on the processor you choose. Considering the size and the amount of power you’re capable of with this kind of system, the Intel NUC 12 Extreme is a great option for people who want a small system with a lot of juice backing it. Unfortunately, Intel hasn’t shared any details on the price of the NUC 12 Extreme Compute Element just yet.