The Intel NUC i3 8th Gen refers to the Intel NUC8i3 Mini PC kits (NUC8i3BEK, NUC8i3BEH, NUC8i3CYSM and NUC8i3CYSN), built around a dual-core 8th generation Intel Core i3 processor with Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 or discrete Radeon 540 graphics. The closest Thinvent alternative is the Thinvent Treo Mini PC with Intel Core i3-1215U, a 6-core 12th generation processor with up to 64 GB of RAM and 2 TB of SSD storage.
Intel NUC i3 8th Gen vs Thinvent Treo Mini PC (Intel Core i3-1215U)
| Intel NUC i3 8th Gen (NUC8i3BEK / NUC8i3BEH) | Thinvent Treo Mini PC, Intel Core i3-1215U | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3, 8th generation | Intel Core i3-1215U (12th generation) |
| Cores/Threads | 2 cores (dual-core) | 6 cores, up to 4.4 GHz |
| RAM | Not stated | 4 GB to 64 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | M.2 SSD slot; 2.5" HDD bay on NUC8i3BEH | 128 GB to 2 TB SSD |
| Form Factor | Mini PC kit | Mini PC |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 | Not stated |
| Wireless | Not stated | No WiFi or Dual Band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
Key differences
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Thinvent Treo offers up to 64 GB of RAM, while the NUC8i3 kits do not state a RAM maximum in the provided facts.
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Thinvent Treo offers a 6-core processor, compared with the dual-core 8th generation Intel Core i3 in the NUC kits, giving it more processing capacity for multitasking.
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Thinvent Treo offers SSD storage up to 2 TB, and the NUC kits support an M.2 SSD plus a 2.5" HDD on the NUC8i3BEH.
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Thinvent Treo offers a newer 12th generation processor, while the NUC8i3 kits use an earlier 8th generation Intel Core i3.
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The NUC8i3 kits are notable for Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and triple 4K display support, which are features the provided Thinvent Treo details do not state.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Intel NUC i3 8th Gen if you want a compact, customisable Mini PC kit with Thunderbolt 3 and Intel Optane memory support for light work and media streaming. Choose the Thinvent Treo Mini PC if you need more cores, up to 64 GB of RAM and up to 2 TB of SSD storage for demanding multitasking and business workloads.
