A Fully Custom NUC 9 Extreme

Razer, an organization that types itself as ‘by avid gamers, for avid gamers’, has at the moment unveiled its newest product, a modular NUC dubbed the Tomahawk. Out there as each a barebones package deal and a high-tier gaming resolution, the Razer Tomahawk appears to supply a ‘innovative’ combination of performance, efficiency, and graphics card compatibility, all inside a NUC impressed chassis. A number of the key specs embrace an Intel ninth technology Core i9 processor, with a 512 GB PCIe 3.Zero x4 SSD, 2 TB of HDD storage, 16 GB of DDR4-2667 reminiscence, and an elective RTX 3080.

The time period NUC (Subsequent Unit of Computing) will get thrown round lots in relation to tremendous small kind issue desktop computer systems, even when NUC is technically an Intel time period. Going all the best way again to 2014, when Razer’s CEO unveiled a conceptual design for a modular PC dubbed ‘Project Christine,’ Intel appeared to have taken the concept a step ahead with what it referred to as Element. We have seen many Intel NUCs hit the market this yr, together with the NUC 9 Extreme (NUC9i9QNX), which we reviewed back in April. Razer being Razer has gone one step additional on this concept and created its personal model of the NUC, with the Razer Tomahawk.

What units the Razer Tomahawk other than different NUCs in the marketplace is its full-scale functionality to put in a full-sized graphics card with a most size of as much as 320 mm, with a most top of 140 mm. This strikes away from frequent small kind issue programs, which typically must go for smaller options such because the NVIDIA GTX 1650. The Razer Tomahawk includes a tool-less sled that enables customers entry to the system, which may very well be to improve the storage and even set up a brand new graphics card.

Whereas this can be a ‘modular’ system, it’s basically a PCIe backplane with two PCIe slots. In a single slot goes the graphics card, and within the different is ‘the remainder of the PC’. That remainder of the PC features a 45 W overclockable cell processor (unupgradable), reminiscence (upgradeable), and storage (upgradeable). Regardless of there being a barebones possibility, Razer pre-populates all fashions with a 512 GB NVMe SSD, a 2 TB HDD, and 16 GB of DDR4-2667 (Razer does not say if that is 1×16 or 2×8). On each fashions there’s a spare M.2 NVMe slot, and the barebones merely lacks the discrete GPU, however the built-in GPU can be utilized if there’s not a discrete GPU current.

It would not be a Razer product if it did not have RGB LEDs. It contains an illuminated inexperienced Razer brand on the entrance panel, with addressable RGB LEDs on the beneath of the chassis to offer a little bit of aptitude. Specializing in the scale, the Tomahawk chassis is 19.23 x 24.15 x 1.60 inches (HxWxD), so it’s svelte, and it additionally weighs in at 16.2 lbs. By way of quantity, the chassis itself is 10 L, which is large enough to suit all the elements in when designed effectively. 

Given the character of the {hardware} put in, Razer has opted to chill the processor actively and contains two top-mounted 120 mm chassis followers, with air flow on each facet panels and the highest panel. Powering the Tomahawk is a preinstalled 750W SFX energy provide, though Razer hasn’t specified the precise mannequin.

By way of connectivity, the Tomahawk contains 4 USB 3.2 G2 Kind-A ports, with two Thunderbolt Three USB Kind-C ports, and a single HDMI 2.0a video output. Customers choosing the complete package deal, together with an NVIDIA RTX 3080 Founders Version graphics card, provides three DisplayPort 1.4b and a single HDMI 2.1 video output. Networking contains two Gigabit Ethernet ports pushed by unspecified controllers, whereas there’s additionally an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 interface, which incorporates assist for BT 5.Zero gadgets. Nestled in between the motherboard and graphics, I/O is a single 3.5mm audio jack that may accommodate audio system or act as a TOSLINK combo port.

A number of attainable use case situations for these with bottomless pockets or shallow desks might discover this a really perfect system to take to LAN, to and from work, and even for an on the go content material creator. Whereas Razer did unveil its personal chassis referred to as the Tomahawk Elite again at CES 2019, the Tomahawk Gaming System is a higher-grade and RGB infused model of Intel’s NUC 9 Excessive. 

As beforehand talked about, the Razer Tomahawk gaming desktop might be accessible as barebones and not using a graphics card for a base value of $2400, whereas the complete mannequin outfitted with an RTX 3080 Founders Version will value $3200. It is not an inexpensive outlay, particularly for an Intel system that includes an RTX 3080, however the latter hasn’t been simple to supply of late.

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