User Manual
Intel® NUC 11 Compute Element Product Specification
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2.10 Thermal
The fundamental design of the Intel® NUC 11 Compute Element relies on the carrier board
enclosure for proper cooling. Both internal components and external skin temperatures are
critical parameters in proper cooling and should be considered in any design. For best cooling
performance, direct contact with a thermal management device to the bottom of the Compute
Element such as a heatsink or enclosure surface is recommended. This can be accomplished with
active or passive cooling design approaches. Non-contact convection only cooling may be
possible but will likely result in performance limitations or compromises in skin temperature
levels relative to a conductive design approach.
The Integrated Heat Spreader side of the Compute Element is the primary heat source. To
provide adequate cooling of the Compute Element while maintaining safe skin temperatures a
thermal solution that contacts the entire metal portion of the Integrated Heat Spreader is
recommended. Localized contact with the primary heat source on the Compute Element bottom
is not recommended as the location is subject to change with different generations of the
Compute Element. The Mylar side of the Compute Element does not typically require contact
with a thermal solution, however proper air flow over the top of the Compute Element is
recommended. The below information is critical for the design of a thermal solution.
• The Thermal Design Power (TDP) of the processors used in the NUC 11 Compute Element
CM11EBC4W is 15W.
• The Thermal Design Power (TDP) of the processors used in the NUC 11 Compute Element
CM11EBI38W, CM11EBI58W, CM11EBV58W, CM11EBI716W and CM11EBV716W is
configurable from 12W-28W.
• The Power Limit 1 (PL1) default setting in the BIOS of the NUC 11 Compute Element
CM11EBC4W is 15
• The Power Limit 1 *PL1) default setting in the BIOS of the NUC 11 Pro Compute Element
CM11EBI38W, CM11EBI58W, CM11EBV58W, CM11EBI716W and CM11EBV716W is 28.
• The Junction Temperature Range (T
j
) of the processor used in the NUC 11 Compute
Element is 0C -100C.
• The TDP specification temperature range of the processor used in the NUC 11 Compute
Element is 35C -100C