Introduction and First Impressions
A mini-PC kit with Haswell and dual NICs
The Zotac ZBOX CI321 nano is a mini PC kit in the vein of the Intel NUC, and this version features a completely fanless design with built-in wireless for silent integration into just about any location. So is it fast enough to be an HTPC or desktop productivity machine? We will find out here.
I have reviewed a couple of mini-PCs in the past few months, most recently the ECS LIVA X back in January. Though the LIVA X was not really fast enough to be used as a primary device it was small and inexpensive enough to be an viable product depending on a user’s needs. One attractive aspect of the LIVA designs, and any of the low-power computers introduced recently, is the passive nature of such systems. This has unfortunately resulted in the integration of some pretty low-performance CPUs to stay within thermal (and cost) limits, but this is beginning to change. The ZBOX nano we’re looking at today carries on the recent trend of incorporating slightly higher performance parts as its Intel Celeron processor (the 2961Y) is based on Haswell, and not the Atom cores at the heart of so many of these small systems.
Another parallel to the Intel NUC is the requirement to bring your own memory and storage, and the ZBOX CI321 nano accepts a pair of DDR3 SoDIMMs and 2.5” storage drives. The Intel Celeron 2961Y processor supports up to 1600 MHz dual-channel DDR3L which allows for much higher memory bandwidth than many other mini-PCs, and the storage controller supports SATA 6.0 Gbps which allows for higher performance than the eMMC storage found in a lot of mini-PCs, depending on the drive you choose to install. Of course your mileage will vary depending on the components selected to complete the build, but it shouldn’t be difficult to build a reasonably fast system.
The only significant drawback that I saw at the outset was the clock speed of Celeron CPU, which is a scant 1.10 GHz, probably necessary for its Haswell cores to stay within its 11.5 W TDP. This still represents both lower clocks and higher power consumption than the Atom-based mini-PC's I’ve tested. Still, Haswell architecture will provide higher instructions per clock and that should mitigate the impact of such a low-speed CPU.
First we'll check out specifications:
Zotac ZBOX CI321 nano | |
---|---|
Processor | Intel Celeron 2961Y (dual-core, 1.1 GHz) |
Graphics | Intel HD Graphics |
Memory | 2 x 204-pin SO-DIMM (supports up to 16GB 1600 MHz DDR3L) |
Storage | SATA 6.0 Gb/s, 2.5-inch Hard Drive/SSD support |
Ethernet | 2x 10/100/1000Mbps |
Wireless | 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.0 |
Audio | 3.5mm analog stereo output, 8-ch via HDMI S/PDIF |
Card Reader | 3-in-1 (SD/SDHC/SDXC) |
Video Output | 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort |
USB Ports | 4x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0 |
OS | (Not included) Supports Windows 7, 8, 8.1 |
Price | MSRP $139 |
First Impressions
First we have a look at the packaging and contents.
Included with the ZBOX CI321 nano is a power adapter, optical digital adapter (for the unit's 3.5 mm combo audio jack) and a VESA mount. There is clearly a focus on the living room with this device, beginning with the passive cooling for silent operation.
There's quite a bit going on with the front panel, which in addition to the power button and activity lights also has an SDXC slot, combo 3.5 mm headphone/optical audio jack, 3.5 mm microphone jack, IR receiver, and two USB 3.0 ports. Of note is that 3.5 mm combo jack, which provides the digital audio output via the included toslink adapter. The front location would make it impossible to hide that cable completely in a home theater environment; though with the lights on the front it likely wouldn't be oriented that way in a living room anyway.
The back has the power jack, DisplayPort and standard HDMI, dual Gigabit NICs (nice!), another pair of USB 3.0 ports to go along with a single USB 2.0 port, and finally the removable wireless antenna.
Next we'll look at a quick build and see how this version of the ZBOX nano performed!
How would a box like this
How would a box like this perform streaming games from Steam on a high-end PC in the next room?
(Assuming that this little box is hardwired for network connection)
Also interested in this
Also interested in this
Great question, and I will
Great question, and I will test this out. There was a lot more to do to really explore the functionality of this mini PC. The dual NICs also provide a custom router possibility.
Ja, this may make one killer
Ja, this may make one killer pfSense box – dual GbE and AC???!??
https://youtu.be/DcJFdCmN98s
The low clock speed of the 2961Y with no turbo and no HT might interfere with Steam Streaming, but should be enough for a really nice router.
For what it’s worth, my
For what it’s worth, my A10-4657m stutters through 1080p60 HTML5 ever since a driver update a couple months ago, but it isn’t due to the CPU load (around 20% on all cores). Is it possible the intel drivers just aren’t cooperating on this machine too? It seems like a dual core Haswell part even at only 1.1GHz could handle 1080p60 if the hardware acceleration is working.
That might be the case,
That might be the case, actually. I used the driver provided by Zotac on the product page, but I can try a new clean install and get the latest Intel drivers.
I thought immediately this
I thought immediately this could be a neat little pfSense box
I thought the same thing
I thought the same thing about a driver issue perhaps as it’s really incredible that even a low clocked Haswell part would have trouble playing BlueRay or mkv files decently.
For a HTPC I bought a Zotac
For a HTPC I bought a Zotac Zbox Nano at the beginning of the year, but I bought the Quad Core version. It said 4K ready, and does an awesome job at playing Blu-Ray movies. I haven’t tested it at 4K but have been very impressed with the 1080p performance! It also does well at streaming my games from my main pc.
Would you try installing
Would you try installing openelec this pc? Openelec is a custom version of linux that uses kodi for media. It has built in support for video acceleration on Intel hardware.
That sounds interesting. I’ll
That sounds interesting. I'll try it out. I think there have been enough good suggestions in the comments to warrant a followup post!
This is what I’m looking for.
This is what I’m looking for. I wonder why others (inclding intel) use bay trail with inferior igp instead.
Interesting, personally i
Interesting, personally i think i would have preferred a review on the AMD version, just because there isnt a heck of a lot of info on that one from sites i trust, might just bite the bullet though
I purchased one of these
I purchased one of these little guys and what a fantast machine. Enough USB ports for added storage, disc drive and much more.
Morning
Thanks for the
Morning
Thanks for the review
How is this cpu compared to the CI320 which is
quad core and 1.8Ghz clock?
thanks
This CI321 was noticeably
This CI321 was noticeably faster across the board compared to the Bay Trail N2808 I used in the ECS LIVA X computer, and the CI320 uses an N2930 (also Bay Trail) Atom CPU that isn't much faster than the N2808.
The Haswell-based processor in the CI321 might only have two cores running at 1.1 GHz, but it seemed a heck of a lot more powerful than the quad-core Bay Trail SoCs I've tried. Still, I need to go back and do some CPU benchmarking to find out in a more scientific way (and not just drawing conclusions subjectively).
A direct comparison with both
A direct comparison with both single and mult-threaded loads would be very welcome. At $139, this is tempting even with the limited CPU.
are these intel nics?
are these intel nics?
would really like to know
would really like to know this as well!!
OK I found it on their web
OK I found it on their web site. The driver download says Realtek GLAN so I believe it is safe to say they are not Intel NICs. Deal breaker.
When will the CI321 show up
When will the CI321 show up in the US and who will have them?
Just purchased this online,
Just purchased this online, it will be my new pFsense box =) Hopefully works good with it. Cant wait to receive it!
I have just purchased one. I
I have just purchased one. I was thinking about installing a sleek Linux distro, but finally decided to go with Windows 8.1, as I am much more familiar with it, and I needed to use the machine for productivity immediately. I installed 4GB 1600 RAM and a 60GB relatively fast SSD, and I use a single full HD screen. The goal was to keep total costs at a minimum. I can confirm that the CI321 is totally excellent for standard office work: Email client, browser with multiple windows, Office2013 (Word and PowerPoint), and music streaming run perfectly in parallel. I admit that as a lawyer I am not a power user in terms of complexity (no big docs, databases, graphics, videos), but for my needs it is perfect. I do not experience slowdowns, noticeable waiting times, etc. And this is a _big_ compliment, as the previous system I used was a HP EliteBook with Core i7 and SSD. I am not saying the single fan in the HP was noisy, as it was not, but still, sitting all day long in complete silence is such a refreshing change!!
This looks like a great
This looks like a great little box for a home router but I can’t find one for sale! Neither Newegg nor Amazon carry it. Anybody know where to get one?
I share your pain. It’s been
I share your pain. It’s been more than half a year since the introduction of the CI321 and they seem to be unavailable in the U.S. No retailers have U.S. Zotac CI321 systems. Emails to Zotac go unanswered or they get a worthless ‘check with distributors’, none of whom seem to know anything about the CI321.
Newegg has them in stock.
Newegg has them in stock.
I wonder what the wattage is
I wonder what the wattage is at the wall socket, in idle and under heavy load. Don’t you think that for a device like this, that is one of the most important questions?