Skull Canyon and eGPU

[Oaktown]

I've been working on making a very portable and modular small format desktop computer in the $2,500 range so here is what's I'm currently testing:

• - Intel NUC6i7KYK Mini PC NUC Kit - Skull Canyon
  - Crucial 32GB DDR4 2133 MHz SO-DIMM Memory Kit (2 x 16GB)
  - Microsoft Windows 10 Pro
  - Samsung 250GB 960 EVO NVMe M.2 Internal SSD for OS
  - Samsung 512GB 960 PRO M.2 Internal SSD for Media
  - Planar Systems PCT2485 24" 16:9 Multi-Touch LCD Monitor
  - AORUS GTX 1080 8GB TB3 Gaming Box

and I'm happy to report that it kicks ass and it's very stable!

I will post results on the benchmark spreadsheet later but here are quick stats @ 30FPS in the meantime:

• - 15 layers of clean 4K
  - 11 layers of noisy 4K
  - 24 layers of 4K in 8 groups of 3 using the content from the example file scaled up to 3840x2160

[Arvol]

I like where this is going.
How does it perform in a very hot environment?

Essentially you could build a custom monitor mount and have your PC and eGPU mounted to the monitor
Like this:
Then just have a travel Pelican case with your monitor, mouse, keyboard, midi controllers, and input card (USB3).
And show up to a gig ready to go.

Would having a single 1TB m.2 be a cheaper solution?

What advantage would this setup have over a Razer Blade or a Sager, which are respectably in the same price range?
Or is this a "just because I can" fun project?
Either way, Love it!

[Oaktown]

Here is what it looks like with the Skull Canyon mounted to the Planar screen:

What advantage would this setup have over a Razer Blade or a Sager, which are respectably in the same price range?
Or is this a "just because I can" fun project?

Various reasons:
1) the ability to use all these parts independently as needed.
2) in case of failure I can easily and cost effectively replace any of the parts
3) 24" touch screen is awesome?
4) a comparable laptop with a 1080 card and 32GB RAM is not easy to find for $2,500
5) I can use the Skull Canyon on its own without the touchscreen or eGPU for smaller projects and it's easy to deploy.
6) The same setup can be used as a rendering station when I'm a bigger gig
7) This can also work with Dataton Watchout other media server type software such as Notch, Touch Designer, MadMapper, and VMix (since it has a TB3 port I can use other chassis with PCIe cards)
8) And yes, "just because I can"

[Empyfree]

Looks like a great rig!

[Arvol]

Here is what it looks like with the Skull Canyon mounted to the Planar screen:
IMG_0377.JPG

What advantage would this setup have over a Razer Blade or a Sager, which are respectably in the same price range?
Or is this a "just because I can" fun project?

Various reasons:
1) the ability to use all these parts independently as needed.
2) in case of failure I can easily and cost effectively replace any of the parts
3) 24" touch screen is awesome?
4) a comparable laptop with a 1080 card and 32GB RAM is not easy to find for $2,500
5) I can use the Skull Canyon on its own without the touchscreen or eGPU for smaller projects and it's easy to deploy.
6) The same setup can be used as a rendering station when I'm a bigger gig
7) This can also work with Dataton Watchout other media server type software such as Notch, Touch Designer, MadMapper, and VMix (since it has a TB3 port I can use other chassis with PCIe cards)
8) And yes, "just because I can"

Beautiful! Well done

[Arvol]

Got a co-worker who uses this for his MA on PC/MA3D and Pangolin Beyond:
https://www.zotac.com/us/product/mini_p ... windows-10

Here's one with a 1080:
https://www.zotac.com/us/product/mini_p ... ws-10-home

These models run from $1,600 - $2,300 depending on the GPU

All this talk about micro PC's is exciting

[Oaktown]

Here is a quick update to report on this NUC Skull Canyon/eGPU system.

I've used it extensively for long-run shows over the last few months and I've had absolutely no issues with it.

My typical setup would be to use the AORUS GTX 1080 8GB TB3 Gaming Box with two outputs:
[*]Displayport to the 24" multi-touch monitor
[*]Dual-Link DVI with a Gefen Dual-Link DVI to Fiber Optic adapter to send signal to a Datapath X4 at 3840x2160/30 or 3840/2400/30 to be split into four outputs

I've built rather large compositions with many layers and the system is always very stable at 30fps.

My next project is to build a couple NUC8i7HNK (Hades Canyon) units with similar setup as this one and test them without eGPU as our new highly portable media server.

[Slingfinger]

My next project is to build a couple NUC8i7HNK (Hades Canyon) units with similar setup as this one and test them without eGPU as our new highly portable media server.

Hey Oaktown,

New member here.

Bump on this, was curious about the how the Hades Canyon unit was working for you, with and without the eGPU?

[Oaktown]

Hey Slingfinger, I've been sidetracked by a bunch of projects and didn't get a chance build/test one yet but maybe someone else on the forum has tested one.

[playstatixn]

Hey, im trying to build a mini server with a nuc8 hades canyon and i have some questions
Which external gpu you recommend? (Still aorus?)
If i install OS X? I mean, i know the built in gpu is not supported by osx yet, but if i use an egpu supported would it be the way? Or just dont...
Which enclosure d you recommend for bm capturers pci
Thanks in advance