What performance can I expect from an Intel NUC?

[ipomrawh]

I'm looking into an Intel NUC to build an emulation box. For dolphin, what kind of performance can I expect? I don't necessarily need better graphics than the original gamecube, as long as the majority of the games runs. The NUC contains an i5 4250U@2.6ghz, and Intel's HD5000. Does anyone used a NUC before, or has some data for comparable hardware?

[Anti-Ultimate]

That thing would be too slow for Dolphin in many ways:

1. It's a U processor, meaning it runs slower and thus produces less heat.
2. Intel HD Graphics aren't really the fastest, but they have gotten a lot faster lately. I'd even go about saying that if you play at 1x IR, the CPU will bottleneck you.

There's a CPU benchmark going on right now, you might want to check into that.

[ipomrawh]

Thanks for the information, do you have a link to the cpu benchmark thread? I was hoping I could squeeze some performance out of the NUC's small form factor, which would fit exactly in my emulation box.

[Shonumi]

I just built my own little box (Gigabyte Brix based, actually smaller than most NUCs) for emulation, so I've done a bit of research in this area. Dolphin is most likely out of the question except for those games that are extremely light on the CPU (TimeSplitters 2 comes to mind). Dolphin tends to stress the CPU a lot, thus generating heat, which is the enemy of Turbo Boost. You'll only ideally be able to play a handful of games (some of which may be of no interest to you) without getting noticeable slowdowns.

On the plus side, you'll do fine with a host of other emulators (Desmume, PPSSPP for examples).

EDIT - Here is the link for the benchmark: https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-new-dolphin-cpu-benchmark-no-game-required

[Anti-Ultimate]

(01-19-2014, 02:58 AM)ipomrawh Wrote: Thanks for the information, do you have a link to the cpu benchmark thread? I was hoping I could squeeze some performance out of the NUC's small form factor, which would fit exactly in my emulation box.

https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-new-dolphin-cpu-benchmark-no-game-required

[KHg8m3r]

Here's some comparable hardware, Gigabyte Brix boxes:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164012 Has an i7-4770R w/ Iris graphics
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856164011 Has an i5-4570R w/ Iris graphics

They're not low power CPUs, and have high clock speeds, so they should be powerful enough to run most games that don't require overclocking (am I right?)

[DJBarry004]

What would that -R stand for in the model number (admin89, where are you?).

[Kodiack]

The -R CPUs have Iris Pro 5200 integrated GPUs. The Iris Pro 5200 is basically a beefed-up integrated GPU that can semi-compete with lower-end dedicated video hardware. You can see some benchmarks here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6993/intel-iris-pro-5200-graphics-review-core-i74950hq-tested

[ipomrawh]

Nice, I actually forgot about the brix. I'll look into those, thanks for the heads up. And thanks for the benchmark link!

[NaturalViolence]

The brix systems are a lot faster than the system that you are looking at. Do not base any performance expectations on benchmarks of those systems.

I can tell you how fast the system will be if it hits is theoretical maximum performance levels. However I don't know how close it will get to that as that depends on cooling efficiency. The colder you can keep it the closer it can get. Also your ambient temperature (room temperature), placement in the room, and airflow around that area of the room will effect this.

With that in mind I could make reasonable approximations based on typical conditions if you told me which games you want to run.

R suffix CPUs have the GT3e IGP (Iris Pro 5200), BGA packaging (they're embedded), a higher cost than K editions, and overclocking features disabled. It's on wikipedia and dozens of other popular sites if you just google it.