Razers First Modular PC The Tomahawk: A Fully Custom NUC 9 Extreme

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Razer, a company that styles itself as by gamers, for gamers,has today unveiled its latest product, a modular NUC dubbed the Tomahawk. Available as both a barebones package and a high-tier gaming solution, the Razer Tomahawk looks to offer a cutting edge mixture of functionality, performance, and graphics card compatibility, all within a NUC inspired chassis. Some of the key specifications include

an Intel 9th generation Core i9 processor, with a 512 GB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD, 2 TB of HDD storage, 16 GB of DDR4-2667 memory, and an optional RTX 3080.

The term NUC (Next Unit of Computing) gets thrown around a lot when it comes to super small form factor desktop computers, even when NUC is technically an Intel term. Going all the way back to2014, when Razers CEO unveiled a conceptual design for a modular PC dubbed Project Christine, Intel looked to have taken the idea a step forward with what it called Element. Weve seen many Intel NUCshit the market this year, including the NUC 9 Extreme (NUC9i9QNX), which we reviewed back in April. Razer being Razer has gone one step further on this idea and created its own version of the NUC, with the Razer Tomahawk.

What sets the Razer Tomahawk apart from other NUCs on the market is its full-scale capability to install a full-sized graphics card with a maximum length of up to 320 mm, with a maximum height of 140 mm. This moves away from common small form factor systems, which generally have to opt for smaller alternatives such as the NVIDIA GTX 1650. The Razer Tomahawk features a tool-less sled that allows users access to the system, which could be to upgrade the storage or even install a new graphics card.

While this is a modular system, it is essentially a PCIe backplane with two PCIe slots. In one slot goes the graphics card, and in the other is the rest of the PC. That rest of the PC includes a 45 W overclockable mobile processor (unupgradable), memory (upgradeable), and storage (upgradeable). Despite there being a barebones option, Razer pre-populates all models with a 512 GB NVMe SSD, a 2 TB HDD, and 16 GB of DDR4-2667 (Razer doesnt say if this is 1x16 or 2x8). On both models there is a spare M.2 NVMe slot, and the barebones simply lacks the discrete GPU, but the integrated GPU can be used if there is not a discrete GPU present.

It wouldnt be a Razer product if it didnt have RGB LEDs. It includes an illuminated green Razer logo on the front panel, with addressable RGB LEDs on the underneath of the chassis to provide a bit of flair. Focusing on the size, the Tomahawk chassis is 19.23 x 24.15 x 1.60 inches (HxWxD), so it is svelte, and it also weighs in at 16.2 lbs. In terms of volume, the chassis itself is 10 L, which is big enough to fit all of the components in when designed efficiently.

        Razer Tomahawk Gaming NUC Desktop
	
	
        Component
        Barebones
        Full System
	
	
        CPU
        Intel Core i9-9980HK (Coffee Lake)
        8 Core / 16 Thread
        2.4 GHz Base
        5.0 GHz Turbo
        45 W TDP
	
	
        GPU
        Optional
		
        (Intel UHD 630 if none)
        NVIDIA RTX 3080 Founders Edition
        1.71 GHz Boost
        10 GB GDDR6X
	
	
        Memory
        16 GB DDR4-2667
	
	
        Storage
        512 GB NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4
        2 TB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
        1 x M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 (open)
	
	
        Networking
        2 x Gigabit LAN
	
	
        Wireless
        Intel AX200 (Wi-Fi 6/BT 5.0)
	
	
        I/O
        2 x USB 3.2 G2 Type-C (Thunderbolt 3)
        4 x USB 3.2 G2 Type-A
        1 x 3.5 mm audio jack
        2 x Gigabit RJ45
        1 x HDMI 2.0a
	
	
        Audio
        3.5 mm TOSLINK combo port
	
	
        Power
        750 W SFX Power Supply
	
	
        Dimensions
        19.23 x 24.15 x 1.60 inches (HxWxD)
	
	
        Weight
        16.2 lb/7.35 kg
        18.3 lb/8.3 kg
	
	
        Pricing
        $2400
        $3200
	
	
        Availability
        ???

Given the nature of the hardware installed, Razer has opted to cool the processor actively and includes two top-mounted 120 mm chassis fans, with ventilation on both side panels and the top panel. Powering the Tomahawk is a preinstalled 750W SFX power supply, although Razer hasnt specified the exact model.

In terms of connectivity, the Tomahawk includes four USB 3.2 G2 Type-A ports, with two Thunderbolt 3 USB Type-C ports, and a single HDMI 2.0a video output. Users opting for the full package, including an NVIDIA RTX 3080 Founders Edition graphics card, adds three DisplayPort 1.4b and a single HDMI 2.1 video output. Networking includes two Gigabit Ethernet ports driven by unspecified controllers, while theres also an Intel AX200 Wi-Fi 6 interface, which includes support for BT 5.0 devices. Nestled in between the motherboard and graphics, I/O is a single 3.5mm audio jack that can accommodate speakers or act as a TOSLINK combo port.

A few possible use case scenarios for those withbottomless pockets or shallow desks could find this an idealsystem to take to LAN, to and from work, or even for an on the go content creator. While Razer did unveil its own chassis called the Tomahawk Eliteback at CES 2019, the Tomahawk Gaming System is a higher-grade and RGB infused versionof Intels NUC 9 Extreme.

As previously mentioned, the Razer Tomahawk gaming desktop will be available as barebones without a graphics card for a base price of $2400, while the full model equipped with an RTX 3080 Founders Edition will cost $3200. Its not a cheap outlay, especially for an Intel system featuring an RTX 3080, but the latter hasnt been easy to source of late.

Gallery: Razer Gaming NUC - To Edit Title

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