Is the Intel NUC suitable for running digital modes in the Hamshack

My Dell OptiPlex PC running Windows 7 Pro is long in the tooth and I am thinking of an Intel NUC to replace it for running digital modes running HRD, WSJT-X, JTAlert, GridTracker and for general web browsing related to operating such as uploading logs to QRZ, LoTW, eQSL, etc.

I will probably get it configured with Win10 Pro, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. I have a network storage device so the small drive is not an issue for me. The model I am looking at has dual HDMI ports so I can drive both my monitors, an SD card slot, and multiple USB ports.

Anyone know of problems with the audio in the NUC when running WSJT-X or HRD ?

I like the small footprint for the shack. I can hang it on the back of a monitor so it's totally out of sight but will probably keep it on the desktop where I can access the USB ports and SD Card slot quickly.

The OptiPlex is running fine just not sure it's up to running Win10 as the hardware is 10 years old.

 

Should be just fine. Plenty of horsepower - NUCs are used EVERYWHERE in the corporate conferencing room world where audio and video are very much a part of the performance requirement. Digital modes are audio only - shouldn't be a problem.

Dave
W7UUU

 

I have had three NUCs, I really liked the idea of them on paper. One i5 and two i7s, three different generations. I gave up on them about a year ago

The firmware and software always seemed to be an afterthought. For many months we had to deal with horrible screen flicker until new drivers and firmware were developed. One died completely and had to be replaced.

The video performance was mediocre at best.

Unless you really need to conserve space I can't recommend them.

There are quite a few models, so it's hard to say yes or no about running your shack. There are models that are only suitable for streaming TV and such, definitely not up to the task of panadapters and other graphics.

Buy another optiplex.

 

Not all NUCs are equal.... it's a generational family of products, not just one. You can't lump all NUC computers into one category.

I work around them all the time in the corporate conferencing world with totally adequate 1080p video conferencing and 20-20k digital audio

Dave
W7UUU

 

Looking back, you'll see I talked about the model, generations and processors.

Conferencing is alot like streaming TV, it doesn't take much, so a NUC could be a good match in that environment.

I also think corporate IT is hard to compare to shack IT.

Corporate has lots of skill, training, exposure, and resources. In this thread we have a ham asking about replacing a ten year old machine.

Very different environments.

 

I have one that runs Linux and I really like it.

I would not screw it up running Win 10. But if you like Win 10 it may be worth a try.

Please do report back all of the problems Windows 10 causes.

Have Fun.

 

agreed. They are quite capable little machines. Most ham radio uses are not that CPU or HDD intensive anyway. I think even the SSD drive is overkill for this application. (but they are cool!)

 

At my former job, we flew Lady Gaga into the superbowl with an NUC. It was a quick replacement for a blown console (Power spike).
It impressed me

Ed

 

The Intel NUC is certainly capable of running software for digital modes. The Windows install will account for the vast majority of resource usage. If a computer can run Windows well, you should not have any problems running the software you will need for digital modes.

My shack computer is a Raspberry Pi 4, and up until recently was a Raspberry Pi B3+. Fldigi and WSJT-X run well on both.

 

The only draw back to these small computers is Video Power and Screen Refresh Speed.

Just one of those things, Because they require very little power to operate.

Streaming video lags audio. Lip Sync is a good test.