The new intel NUC i7 looks interesting. But thinking out loud here, a 45TDP Xeon-D mini-itx motherboard with 10Gbase-T could be fun? Ok I'll admit it, it was the 10Gbase-T and 8 core that seemed fun, snappy enough? Not too bad pricewise, could a passive cooler tame 45TDP Watts in a small case?
SuperMicro X10SDV-TLN4F

SuperMicro X10SDV-DLN4F on skinflint.co.uk

DSP8000SE, DSP7200SEHC, DSP5200SE sides, DSP7200SE rears, 861v8, 210, Sim2 Ultranero 4, Stewart Cinecurve 2.35:1, XEIT CM-5E Anamorphic lens, Dune HD Duo Cinema 8K and Wireworld Platinum 48G HDMI -> UHD722 -> Shunyata Omega Ethernet. Shunyata/Furutech power-cables/filters. SR Master Fuse@861v8. Uptone Etherregen with 10MHz OCXO clock.