ZimaBoard 2: the home server that thinks big
Test of the Intel N150 microserver with two 2.5GbE ports, two SATA ports and one PCIe slot: enclosure, accessories, ZimaOS, performance, power consumption and temperatures.
Today, the ZimaBoard 2 goes on the workbench. This new generation of IceWhale's microserver combines an Intel N150, two 2.5 GbE network ports, two SATA ports and a PCIe slot in an aluminium case barely larger than a packet of biscuits. The goal is to check whether this format can really serve as a NAS, an advanced router or a small laboratory for containers and local AI.
Introduction
The ZimaBoard 2 presents itself as a silent home server, a router capable of serious network segmentation and an x86 experimentation platform. Its quad-core Intel N150 processor accepts standard Linux software, while the PCIe interface opens the door to NVMe, a 10 GbE card, a SATA controller or an external graphics card.
In this test, I examine the 1664 model, its chassis, the kit accessories, the ZimaOS interface and above all its thermal behaviour. The question is not only whether it is fast, but also whether passive cooling is sufficient when the machine works for an hour.
Specifications
The 832 and 1664 models share the same processor and connectivity. The choice mainly comes down to RAM and eMMC: 8/32 GB for the former, 16/64 GB for the latter.
| Specification | ZimaBoard 2 832 | ZimaBoard 2 1664 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel N150, 4 cores, up to 3.6 GHz, 6 MB cache | Intel N150, 4 cores, up to 3.6 GHz, 6 MB cache |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics, 24 EU, up to 1 GHz | Intel UHD Graphics, 24 EU, up to 1 GHz |
| Memory | 8 GB LPDDR5X 4800 MHz | 16 GB LPDDR5X 4800 MHz |
| eMMC | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Network | 2 × 2.5 GbE | 2 × 2.5 GbE |
| Expansion | Physical PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, x2 electrical link | Physical PCIe 3.0 x4 slot, x2 electrical link |
| Storage | 2 × SATA 3.0 at 6 Gbit/s with power | 2 × SATA 3.0 at 6 Gbit/s with power |
| USB | 2 × USB 3.1 Type-A | 2 × USB 3.1 Type-A |
| Video | Mini DisplayPort 1.4, up to 4K 60 Hz | Mini DisplayPort 1.4, up to 4K 60 Hz |
| Power supply | 12 V / 5 A | 12 V / 5 A |
| CPU TDP | 10 W | 10 W |
| Cooling | Passive case, fan included | Passive case, fan included |
| Dimensions | 140 × 83 × 31 mm | 140 × 83 × 31 mm |
| Supplied OS | ZimaOS+ | ZimaOS+ |
| Initial Kickstarter price | from 169 USD | from 239 USD |
Exterior
In hand, the ZimaBoard 2 looks like a small block of dense, cold and matte aluminium. The edges remain sharp and the whole thing feels more like miniature network equipment than a decorative computer case. The metal is not just a covering: the ribbed part directly dissipates the processor's heat.
The connectivity is remarkable for this size: two 2.5 GbE networks, two USB, two powered SATA, Mini DisplayPort and an open PCIe. You can therefore build a NAS, a firewall or a compute node without exclusively relying on USB peripherals.
Accessories and assembly
The fan, the 12 V/5 A power block and the Y-SATA cable are supplied with both versions. The cardboard packaging can even become a first stand for the case and two 2.5-inch disks. The idea is clever for a quick test, but the cardboard gets loose after a few weeks and does not replace a durable chassis.
The most complete configuration adds a frame for two 3.5-inch disks, a PCIe riser and the necessary fasteners. The result looks unusual, but it makes the hardware fully accessible and remains more compact than a classic tower.
To install the fan, you need to open the chassis and screw it onto the heatsink. The operation therefore requires a little more than a simple connection, but the supplied fan proved to be practically inaudible. The thermal tests demonstrate above all that it is not a superfluous accessory for continuous load.
What the PCIe slot allows
PCIe transforms this microserver into a true project platform. Larger desktop cards will remain visible on the outside, but the open slot is precisely assumed: you choose the expansion according to the machine's role.
| Category | Examples | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Network | 10 GbE card | Speeding up a NAS, a workstation or a gateway. |
| Storage | NVMe adapter, SATA/HBA controller | Adding fast cache or multiple additional disks. |
| Graphics | Low-power external GPU | Local AI, video encoding or experimentation. |
| Specialized project | Capture card, accelerator, FPGA | Building a machine tailored to a specific need. |
Three limits to keep in mind
- Bandwidth: the physical x4 slot uses two PCIe 3.0 lanes. A powerful graphics card will therefore not be able to express its full potential.
- Power supply: the supplied block is suitable for the server and two disks. An LSI card, multiple 3.5-inch HDDs or a GPU may require a more powerful and separate power supply.
- Size: the case is very thin. A large card will protrude and require support or an external dock.
ZimaOS+ in daily use
The official hardware comes with a lifetime ZimaOS+ license. On another x86-64 machine, ZimaOS remains available for free with a limit of four disks and three members; the Plus license at 29 USD removes these limits. Nothing prevents you from installing Debian, Ubuntu, Proxmox VE, TrueNAS, OpenMediaVault, pfSense or another system suited to the project either.
The ZimaBoard 2 is an open x86-64 machine: ZimaOS is convenient, but it is not a requirement.
ZimaOS extends CasaOS's approach with a web desktop, a file manager, storage, a Docker-centric App Store and ZVM for virtual machines. An application missing from the catalog can be added as a container or a Docker compose. The 16 GB of the 1664 model offers more headroom, even if the soldered memory cannot be upgraded.
Performance, power consumption and temperature
The Intel N150 processor achieves a good result for this category. Geekbench 6 measured 1,266 single-core points and 3,278 multi-core points. In my personal ranking, it comes just ahead of the TerraMaster F4-425 Plus, but the gap is so small that the two machines are practically at the same level. The TerraMaster required more aggressive tuning to reach its score, while the ZimaBoard 2 delivered this result with its default configuration.
With two 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, the observed consumption rises to around 23 W under load and drops below 10 W at idle. This is very reasonable for a home server capable of hosting multiple containers and two multigigabit network interfaces.
Passive cooling, on the other hand, is the main point of vigilance. Without a fan, the processor reached 101 °C after one hour of load and started to reduce its frequency. With the supplied fan, the temperature did not exceed 80 °C during an hour of continuous load and no heat-related performance drop was observed.
Verdict
The ZimaBoard 2 is not yet another closed mini-PC. It is a small x86 chassis designed as a construction set: Intel N150, two 2.5 GbE ports, two SATA and above all an open PCIe. You can add NVMe, a 10 GbE card, multiple disks or an accelerator depending on the project.
The hardware is fast enough for a home NAS, Docker services, a router, a media server or a light Proxmox lab. ZimaOS facilitates handling and the kit provides the essential accessories. The trade-off is a deliberately open presentation, non-expandable memory and passive cooling that reaches its limits under heavy load.
My opinion is therefore positive on one condition: considering the fan as necessary for heavy tasks. For those who like to build a server around a specific need, the ZimaBoard 2 is a compact, silent base and significantly more flexible than a closed NAS.
- Official store · promotional code
AlexandrLinux15: 15 USD discount.
References
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About the author
Jeremy Kraft runs the infrastructure and the self-hosted services of the IBCSC. These guides describe configurations that were actually deployed and re-checked before publication.
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