SimplyNUC Onyx v9 Power Consumption
The power consumption side was really interesting. We could get the system into the 6-10W idle range by dialing up power-saving features. Still, we had our results with the performance profiles, which pushed the idle power consumption up to 17-20W.
Maximum power consumption was somewhere in the 90W range for some time, then it slipped down to the 77-80W range. That is very good.
If you want to hear the system’s fans spin, check out the video section above.
Key Lessons Learned
The NUC form factor is great for being compact, and small features like the power supply retention hook show how mature it has become. At the same time, it feels like if the form factor was slightly larger it would allow for larger heatsinks and better cooling.
Inside the system, it is really easy to service, but at $999 for a 256GB NVMe SSD and 8GB of RAM model, that feels high. By the time one configures it on SimplyNUC with 32GB and 1TB, like many of the AMD mini PCs we review, it is $1389, or roughly twice the price of an AMD-based mini PC. Part of that is Intel pricing the Core i9-13900H at well over $600, setting a floor for system pricing. The other part, though, is that SimplyNUC is a Round Rock, TX company, not a small vendor from China. Round Rock is next to the old STH studio in Austin and also Dell. Since SimplyNUC is catering to business customers, would expect a premium for that.
Then there is the microSD card slot. Please, just make this a full SD card slot in the future so it is useful.
With that, let us get to our final words.
Final Words
Overall though, the message should be that the NUC is back. I cannot imagine what SimplyNUC thought the day Intel announced it was discontinuing the NUC line (STH broke that story.) Now, the company has really answered that it is producing its own NAS units after Intel’s exit.
One thing one notices going through this system is that the quality is very good. There are even simple things like the screening of port labels on the motherboard that we do not get on all systems these days. After using the system for some time, the SimplyNUC Onyx v9 is going to be a great option for those who want a fast desktop or server in a compact NUC package.
You’re right. I’m not sure $999 with those specs and expensive upgrades is good pricing. So I don’t see them targeting consumers
Quick question on the footer of the NUC’s – are the screws connected to the base with metal fasteners (a spring loaded clip)? I really appreciate that there options for a vesa mount but I am limited / unable to mount it as the screws are immovable from the original base so they are not lost.