User Guide for Intel® NUC 8 Enthusiast and Intel® NUC 8 Home

Before You Begin

⚠️ CAUTIONS

The steps in this guide assume familiarity with computer terminology, safety practices, and regulatory compliance for using and modifying computer equipment. Always disconnect the computer from its power source and network before performing any steps described in this guide. Failure to do so can result in personal injury and/or equipment damage, as some circuitry may remain active even when the power button is off.

Follow these guidelines before you begin:

• Always follow the steps in each procedure in the correct order.
• Create a log to record information about your computer, such as model, serial numbers, installed options, and configuration information.
• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage components. Perform procedures at an ESD workstation using an antistatic wrist strap and a conductive foam pad. If unavailable, wear an antistatic wrist strap and attach it to a metal part of the computer chassis for protection.

Installation Precautions

When you install and test the Intel NUC, observe all warnings and cautions in the installation instructions.

To avoid injury, be careful of:

• Sharp pins on connectors
• Sharp pins on circuit boards
• Rough edges and sharp corners on the chassis
• Hot components (such as SSDs, processors, voltage regulators, and heat sinks)
• Damage to wires that could cause a short circuit

If you do not follow these instructions, you increase your safety risk and the possibility of noncompliance with regional laws and regulations.

Guide Contents

This guide covers the following procedures:

• Upgrade memory (RAM)
• Change/install an M.2 SSD
• Use a VESA mount bracket
• Connect power
• Set up Microsoft® Windows® 10
• Keep device drivers current
• Recover the operating system

Open the Chassis

Unscrew the four corner screws on the bottom of the chassis and lift the cover.

Diagram showing the underside of the Intel NUC chassis. Four screws are indicated at the corners (labeled A and B). An arrow shows the cover being lifted off.

Upgrade System Memory

The Intel NUC Mini PC NUC8i7BEKQA has two 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets, pre-installed with two 8GB DDR4 2400 MHz SO-DIMMs.

The Intel NUC Mini PC NUC8i5BEKPA has two 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets, pre-installed with two 4GB DDR4 2400 MHz SO-DIMMs.

To upgrade memory, select modules that meet these requirements:

• 1.2V low voltage memory
• 2400 MHz SO-DIMMs
• Non-ECC

Find compatible memory modules in the Intel Product Compatibility Tool:

• NUC8i7BEKQA
• NUC8i5BEKPA

To upgrade or add memory, follow these steps:

1. Observe the precautions in "Before You Begin" on page 2.
2. Turn off all peripheral devices connected to the computer. Turn off the computer and disconnect the power cord.
3. Remove the computer's bottom chassis cover.

Upgrade to different memory

1. Remove the pre-installed memory module:
   1. Gently spread the retaining clips at each end of the memory socket, which causes the module to pop out of the socket (C).
   2. Holding the module by the edges, lift it away from the socket, and store it in an anti-static package.
2. Install the new memory module:
   1. Align the small space at the bottom edge of the memory module with the key in the socket.
   2. Insert the bottom edge of the module at a 45-degree angle into the socket (A).
   3. When the module is inserted, push down on the outer edges of the module until the retaining clips snap into place (B). Make sure the clips are firmly in place (C).

Diagram illustrating memory module installation into a socket. It shows a memory module being inserted at a 45-degree angle into a socket (labeled A), with retaining clips (labeled B and C) that snap into place.

Install an additional memory module

1. Align the small space at the bottom edge of the memory module with the key on the socket.
2. Insert the bottom edge of the module at a 45-degree angle into the socket (A).
3. When the module is inserted, push down on the outer edges of the module until the retaining clips snap into place (B). Make sure the clips are firmly in place (C).
4. Reinstall and reconnect any parts you removed or disconnected to reach the memory sockets.
5. Replace the computer's cover and reconnect the power cord.

Changing an M.2 SSD or Intel® Optane™ Memory Module

The Intel NUC Mini PC NUC8i7BEKQA supports an 80mm or 42mm M.2 SSD, pre-installed with one 512GB NVMe M.2.

The Intel NUC Mini PC NUC8i5BEKPA supports an 80mm or 42mm M.2 SSD, pre-installed with one 256GB NVMe M.2.

Find compatible M.2 SSDs in the Intel Product Compatibility Tool:

• NUC8i7BEKQA
• NUC8i5BEKPA

To Change an M.2 SSD:

1. Remove the small silver screw from the 80mm or 42mm metal standoff on the board (A).
2. Remove the pre-installed SSD/Intel Optane Memory from the connector.
3. Align the space at the bottom of the new M.2 SSD to the key on the connector.
4. Insert the bottom edge of the M.2 SSD into the connector (B).
5. Secure the card to the standoff with the small silver screw (C).

Diagrams showing M.2 SSD installation. The first shows a small screw (A) securing an M.2 standoff. The second shows an M.2 SSD being inserted into a connector (B). The third shows the M.2 SSD secured with the screw (C). Dimensions 80mm and 42mm are indicated.

Close the Chassis

After all components have been installed, close the Intel NUC chassis. Intel recommends this be done by hand with a screwdriver to avoid over-tightening and possibly damaging the screws.

Diagram showing the Intel NUC chassis cover being reattached. Screws (labeled A and B) are shown being inserted.

Attach and Use the VESA Bracket (Optional)

Follow these instructions to attach and use the VESA mount bracket:

1. Using the four small black screws that were included in the box, attach the VESA bracket to the back of the monitor or TV.
2. Attach the two slightly larger black screws to the bottom chassis cover of the Intel NUC.
3. Slide the Intel NUC onto the VESA mount bracket.

Diagram illustrating VESA mount bracket attachment. First, the bracket is shown attaching to the back of a monitor using screws (A, E). Second, the bracket is attached to the bottom cover of the Intel NUC using screws (B). Finally, the Intel NUC is shown sliding onto the attached VESA bracket (C, D).

Connect Power

Each Intel NUC model includes either a region-specific AC power cord or no AC power cord (only the power adapter).

1. Connect AC power.

Diagram showing the power connection. A power adapter connects to the Intel NUC (A), the AC power cord connects to the adapter (B), and the other end of the AC cord connects to a wall socket (C).

Set Up Microsoft® Windows® 10

Microsoft Windows 10 is already installed on the Intel NUC. The first time you start the computer, you are guided through the Windows 10 setup steps, including:

• Selecting your region and language.
• Accepting the Microsoft Windows license terms.
• Personalizing Windows and assigning a PC Name.
• "Get Online" dialog to pick a wireless network (this step is optional).
• Choosing Express Settings or Customize.
• Assigning a User Name and Password.

Reinstalling the Operating System

If you upgrade or replace the computer's drive, you may need to install a new version of the operating system. See these resources:

• Supported Operating Systems
• Windows Setup Guide

Install the Latest Device Drivers and Software

Here are the options for keeping device drivers current:

• Allow the Intel® Driver & Support Assistant (Intel® DSA) to detect out-of-date drivers.
• Manually download drivers, BIOS, and software from Download Center.

For models:

• NUC8i7BEKQA
• NUC8i5BEKPA

Drivers are available for the following features:

• Bluetooth
• Chipset
• CIR (Infrared)
• Graphics
• Intel® ME
• Intel® Rapid Storage Technology
• Intel® Ready Mode Technology
• Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX)
• LAN (wired and wireless)
• Realtek Audio
• Realtek Card Reader
• Serial IO
• Thunderbolt

Operating System Recovery

There's a Windows recovery partition on the Intel NUC. You can use this partition to Refresh, Reset, or Restore Windows. Here is what each of these actions do:

Refresh

If your PC isn't performing as well as it once did, and you don't know why, you can refresh your PC. This action doesn't delete any of your personal files or change your settings. Refresh does the following:

• Files and personalization settings won't change.
• PC settings are changed back to their defaults.
• Apps from the Windows Store are kept.
• Apps installed from disks or websites are removed.
• List of removed apps is saved on the desktop.

Reset

If you want to recycle your PC, give it away, or start over with it, you can reset it completely. This process removes everything. Reset does the following:

• All personal files and apps are removed.
• PC settings are changed back to their defaults.
• Windows is reinstalled.

Restore

If a recently installed app or driver is causing problems with your PC, you can restore Windows back to an earlier point in time, called a restore point. System Restore doesn't change your personal files, but it can remove recently installed apps and drivers.

To access the recovery media:

If Windows starts

From Windows Start, type Recovery and select Recovery Options. See "Recovery options in Windows 10" for complete details on how to use the recovery options.

If Windows doesn't start

The recovery process should automatically start. If Recovery doesn't automatically start, you can try to initiate it as follows:

1. Press F8 during boot, when you see the prompt “F8 to Activate Windows 8.1/10 Recovery Mode”.
2. Follow the recovery steps.