User Guide for NUC8i7BEHGA, NUC8i5BEHFA and NUC8i3BEHFA

Intel® NUC8 Enthusiast, a Mini PC with Windows® 10 – NUC8i7BEHGA

Intel® NUC8 Home, a Mini PC with Windows® 10 – NUC8i5BEHFA

Intel® NUC8 Home, a Mini PC with Windows® 10 – NUC8i3BEHFA

User Guide

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 User Guide for NUC8i7BEHGA, NUC8i5BEHFA and NUC8i3BEHFA

Before You Begin

CAUTIONS
The steps in this guide assume you’re familiar with computer terminology and with the
safety practices and regulatory compliance required for using and modifying computer
equipment.
Disconnect the computer from its power source and from any network before performing any of
the steps described in this guide.

Failure to disconnect power or networks before you open the computer or perform any procedures
can result in personal injury and/or equipment damage. Some circuitry on the board can continue
to operate even though the front panel 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 the procedures
described in this chapter only at an ESD workstation using an antistatic wrist strap and a
conductive foam pad. If such a station isn’t available, you can provide some ESD
protection by wearing an antistatic wrist strap and attaching it to a metal part of the
computer chassis.

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

Observe Safety and Regulatory Requirements

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

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This guide tells you how to:

• Upgrade memory (RAM)

• Change/install an M.2 SSD
• Change/install a 2.5-inch drive
• Use a VESA mount bracket
• Connect power
• Set up Microsoft® Windows® 10
• Install the latest device drivers and software
• Recover the operating system

Open the Chassis

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

Upgrade System Memory

 The Intel NUC Mini PC NUC8i7BEHGA have two 260-pin DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets, pre-
installed with one 8GB DDR4 2400 MHz SO-DIMM.

 The Intel NUC Mini PC NUC8i5BEHFA and NUC8i3BEHFA have two 260-pin DDR4 SO-
DIMM sockets, pre-installed with one 4GB DDR4 2400 MHz SO-DIMM.

To upgrade memory, be sure to select memory modules that meet these requirements:
 1.2V low voltage memory
 2400 MHz SO-DIMMs
 Non-ECC

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Find compatible memory modules in the Intel® Product Compatibility Tool.

 NUC8i7BEHGA
 NUC8i5BEHFA
 NUC8i3BEHFA

NOTE If you plan to install only one memory module, install it in the lower memory
socket.

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

a. Remove the pre-installed memory module
i. Gently spread the retaining clips at each end of the memory socket, which
causes the module to pop out of the socket (C).
ii. Holding the module by the edges, lift it away from the socket, and
store it in an anti-static package.
b. Install the new memory module
i. Align the small space at the bottom edge of the memory module with
the key in the socket.
ii. Insert the bottom edge of the module at a 45 degree angle into the
socket (A).
iii. 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).

Install an additional memory module

a. Align the small space at the bottom edge of the memory module with the key on the
socket.
b. Insert the bottom edge of the module at a 45 degree angle into the socket (A).
c. 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

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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 NUC8i7BEHGA support an 80mm or 42mm m.2 SSD, preinstalled
with one 32GB Intel Optane Memory.

 The Intel NUC Mini PC NUC8i5BEHFA and NUC8i3BEHFA support an 80mm or 42mm m.2,
preinstalled with one 16GB Intel Optane Memory.

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

 NUC8i7BEHGA
 NUC8i5BEHFA
 NUC8i3BEHFA

NOTE Before changing the Intel Optane memory module, it needs to be disabled. Follow
Removing Intel Optane Memory on this page first, before taking the module out.

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).

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Changing a 2.5” SSD or Hard Drive

 The Intel NUC Mini PC NUC8i7BEHGA support an additional 2.5” Solid State Drive (SSD) or
Hard Disk Drive (HDD), pre-installed with one 2TB HDD.

 The Intel NUC Mini PC NUC8i5BEHFA and NUC8i3BEHFA support an additional 2.5” Solid
State Drive (SSD) or Hard Disk Drive (HDD), pre-installed with one 1TB HDD.

Find compatible 2.5” drives in the Intel Product Compatibility Tool.

 NUC8i7BEHGA
 NUC8i5BEHFA
 NUC8i3BEHFA

1. Unscrew the four screws holding the current drive in the bay.

2. Remove the pre-installed drive from the drive bay.

3. Slide the new 2.5” drive into the drive bay, ensuring the SATA connectors are fully seated into
the connectors of the SATA daughter card (A).

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4. Secure the drive into the drive bay with the four screws that were used in step 1. Set the drive
bay bracket down inside the chassis (C).

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.

Attach and Use the VESA Bracket (Optional)

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

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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.

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

Product codes Power cord type

BOXNUC8i7BEHGA No power cord included. An AC power cord needs to be purchased
BOXNUC8i5BEHFA separately. Power cords are available at many Internet sites for use in
BOXNUC8i3BEHFA multiple countries. The connector on the power adapter is a C5 type
connector.

BOXNUC8i7BEHGA1 US power cord included.

BOXNUC8i5BEHFA1
BOXNUC8i3BEHFA1
BOXNUC8i7BEHGA2 EU power cord included.
BOXNUC8i5BEHFA2
BOXNUC8i3BEHFA2
BOXNUC8i7BEHGA3 UK power cord included.
BOXNUC8i5BEHFA3
BOXNUC8i3BEHFA3
BOXNUC8i7BEHGA4 Australia/New Zealand power cord included.
BOXNUC8i5BEHFA4
BOXNUC8i3BEHFA4

Connect AC power.

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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 assign 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.

 NUC8i7BEHGA
 NUC8i5BEHFA
 NUC8i3BEHFA

The following device drivers and software are available.

 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:

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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.

Caution - Before performing a Refresh or Reset:

 Make sure to back up all personal data to external storage.

 Remove SD card from the card slot, if one is inserted.

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.

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