Build an Ultra Energy-Efficient, Quiet Custom PC With an Intel NUC

Choose an Intel NUC With a TDP Under 10W

For an energy-efficient, quiet PC build, a CPU TDP under 10W is recommended.

Among Intel NUC models, the ones with a TDP under 10W include the following:

These are Celeron or Pentium models.

If prioritizing power efficiency, “NUC5PGYH (Pentium N3700)” is a strong option, since it has a 6W TDP while still scoring well.

If prioritizing processing performance, “NUC7PJYH (Pentium J5005)” is recommended because it has a higher benchmark score. That said, many Intel NUC CPUs—even in the Core i lineup—often have a 15W TDP, so if strict power limits aren’t a priority, a 15W U-series Core i model can also be a good choice. For example, “NUC8v7PNK,” which uses a 15W Core i7-8665U, boosts the benchmark score significantly to 3003.

Choose an SSD for Storage

If low noise is a priority, internal storage should be an SSD—no question.

Newer models include NVMe slots, so an NVMe SSD is recommended because it also helps keep airflow inside the Intel NUC.

Pay Attention to the Performance vs. Noise Relationship

When building an ultra energy-efficient, quiet PC, one key factor is how much workload the PC will be under.

For example, with an older system like the DN2820FYKH using a Celeron N2820, heavy tasks can push the system to run at maximum power constantly. Because the workload is high, the CPU fan may end up spinning loudly all the time. On the other hand, with a higher-spec model like the NUC8v7PNK using a Core i7-8665U, the same task can theoretically be done with one-tenth the power compared to a Celeron N2820, which can improve both power consumption and quietness.

With this in mind, when building an ultra energy-efficient, quiet Intel NUC PC, it’s helpful to check the CPU’s benchmark score per watt.

Looking at this, it’s clear that the newest model isn’t always the best choice. And in some cases, even if the TDP is higher, choosing a higher-TDP model may make sense when considering score per watt.

On the other hand, for use cases that don’t need much processing power (such as a media server), higher-priced Core i7 models are not very cost-effective. For those scenarios, a 6W TDP model is likely the best fit.

This guide covered how to build an ultra energy-efficient, quiet PC with an Intel NUC.

Intel NUC systems are desktops, but they use laptop-class CPUs, which makes them excellent for quiet operation and low power consumption—making them a great choice for an always-on PC as well.

Choose a model that matches the intended use case, and try building a quiet, power-efficient PC with an Intel NUC.