The Subor Z+ Console/PC Hybrid with AMD Fenghuang SoC Benchmarked

[dmartin]

Last August Chinese pC maker Zhongshan Subor announced a mysterious new console/PC hybrid called Subor Z+ with an interesting spec sheet. The most intriguing part of that machine was none other than a new AMD SoC custom with the code name 'Fenghuang/FireFlight'. Based on the Zen architecture instead of the Jaguar used in consoles such as the Xbox One X or PS4 Pro, this SoC has a CPU with 4 cores and 8 threads at 3.0 GHz a Vega-based GPU with 24 CUs at 1300 MHz, 8 GB GDDR5, 128 GB SSD and 1 TB HDD.

The preliminary tests that we could see thanks to DigitalFoundry have now been completed with a new series of benchmarks from a Chinese YouTube user in which we can see the Subor Z+ running different Windows games at more than 60 fps in some of them. The graphics power sits between a RX 570 and a GTX 1060 according to the content producer, and among the results we have different scores showing how far this can go. For example, Fire Strike Extreme (486 points), Time Spy (3288), Tomb Raider (74.81 fps without clarifying graphic config), Cinebench (110/581) or PUBG, which was running at around 50-55 fps at 1080p and with low level of detail.

The Subor Z+ will be able to behave in console mode (a customized version of Windows will be used in this case) and in PC mode. According to the official website, the Subor Z+ will use Windows 10 IoT Enterprise as the base OS, so their functional aspects for the end users could be limited. The price of this hybrid machine is 4998 RMB, which translates to around $730, or $625 if we don't include Chinese taxes.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[darkangel0504]

RX 480 2304 cores
This GPU only 1536 cores ?
50% more cores but not 50% performance
Interesting!

 

[Konceptz]

Looks like the mutated off spring of a PS4 Pro and Xbox One X

 

[kastriot]

Total failure, who is gonna buy this crap for 650-730$? maybe for 250-300$ it would make sense.

 

[fynxer]

We are talking China, sh!tload of people, so there is no problem selling 10-20 miljon pcs.

Games optimized for the soc should perform on par with 1060 3GB

Is this pure VEGA or could it be a little bit of Navi in the mix?

 

[GreiverBlade]

Total failure, who is gonna buy this crap for 650-730$? maybe for 250-300$ it would make sense.

well i bought a Alienware Alpha R1 i3-4130T, a custom GTX 750Ti 2gb (well ALW did name it GeForce GPU 2gb without specifying what model but it was a 750Ti and ran without issue at the frequencies of a desktop model) win 8.1 and a custom KODI for console mode, for 626chf (almost same in $) and this thing has higher specs and performance ... so, why not (granted the Alpha R1 had some extra with it )

 

[silentbogo]

Why so late, @dmartin ? DF had this up since September, I think.

Is this pure VEGA or could it be a little bit of Navi in the mix?

It's pretty much the same GPU module that Intel is using in their Kaby Lake G series (Vega M GH), except it does not have the HBM memory on the SoC.
Instead they've opted in for a shared 8GB GDDR5 buffer (back in Sept the split was 6GB system / 2GB VRAM)

Total failure, who is gonna buy this crap for 650-730$? maybe for 250-300$ it would make sense.

Doubt that's the case.
It was supposed to be a chinese product for internal market, and we are kind of getting to a point where it might start selling worldwide.
And, since there was no kickstarter or any other public fundraising for this project, I can only assume that these guys already have a clear idea of what's the target audience and the approximate market size for this thing.

 

[jabbadap]

Why so late, @dmartin ? DF had this up since September, I think.

It's pretty much the same GPU module that Intel is using in their Kaby Lake G series (Vega M GH), except it does not have the HBM memory on the SoC.
Instead they've opted in for a shared 8GB GDDR5 buffer (back in Sept the split was 6GB system / 2GB VRAM)

Doubt that's the case.
It was supposed to be a chinese product for internal market, and we are kind of getting to a point where it might start selling worldwide.
And, since there was no kickstarter or any other public fundraising for this project, I can only assume that these guys already have a clear idea of what's the target audience and the approximate market size for this thing.

Yeah wondered the same a bit too. Anandtech have the machine too, they haven't really reviewed it though. Software on this thing ain't ready.

 

[Daven]

Total failure, who is gonna buy this crap for 650-730$? maybe for 250-300$ it would make sense.

At least to see if they are in the ballpark, a quick check on Newegg should give us the answer:

Cooler Master HAF 912 $60
WD 1TB Blue 7200 RPM $45
ASrock B350 $90
Seasonic 550W $70
GSkill 8 GB (2x4GB) DDR4 2400 MHz $60
Ryzen 1500X $140
Windows 10 64-bit OEM $100
Asrock Radeon 570 4GB $150
Total $715

Of course you can modify this up and down by $100, but other than one's preference for manufacturer, you at least can't build anything on the same performance level for much less.

EDIT: Of course small form factor is worth something to many people and my build doesn't take that into consideration.

 

[M2B]

At least to see if they are in the ballpark, a quick check on Newegg should give us the answer:

Cooler Master HAF 912 $60
WD 1TB Blue 7200 RPM $45
ASrock B350 $90
Seasonic 550W $70
GSkill 8 GB (2x4GB) DDR4 2400 MHz $60
Ryzen 1500X $140
Windows 10 64-bit OEM $100
Asrock Radeon 570 4GB $150
Total $715

Of course you can modify this up and down by $100, but other than one's preference for manufacturer, you at least can't build anything on the same performance level for much less.

EDIT: Of course small form factor is worth something to many people and my build doesn't take that into consideration.

Both the R5 1500X and RX 570 are significantly faster than the CPU&GPU inside this thing.
this product isn't quite worth it, performance wise at least.
Also you can get an Xbox One X that is Cheaper and has a way more capable GPU.
The only good thing about this product is the small form factor which you mentioned.

 

[sepheronx]

I like the case. If they could come up with a case like this but to house regular PC components I would be all over it.

 

[HimymCZe]

Awesome idea... PS/Xbox/PC - MULTiboot/WM machine
...now lets see if it'll live longer than Ubuntu Touch... :/

 

[silentbogo]

At least to see if they are in the ballpark, a quick check on Newegg should give us the answer:

Cooler Master HAF 912 $60
WD 1TB Blue 7200 RPM $45
ASrock B350 $90
Seasonic 550W $70
GSkill 8 GB (2x4GB) DDR4 2400 MHz $60
Ryzen 1500X $140
Windows 10 64-bit OEM $100
Asrock Radeon 570 4GB $150
Total $715

Of course you can modify this up and down by $100, but other than one's preference for manufacturer, you at least can't build anything on the same performance level for much less.

EDIT: Of course small form factor is worth something to many people and my build doesn't take that into consideration.

Here's a closer equivalent in performance and price:
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/RM9jsZ

Also add a Windows 10 Enterprise cost on top of it, and you basically get what you pay for (only in a smaller form factor and with better efficiency).
Plus, we don't know how much of an advantage can you get from GDRR5 memory pool in comparison to traditional desktop DDR4.

Although, to be fair we should probably compare it to a $1000 Hades Canyon NUC barebone (yes, it's not $1k for a PC but for a barebone), since both are kind of built for the same purpose.

Also you can get an Xbox One X that is Cheaper and has a way more capable GPU.

Except with an XBO you are locked into an ecosystem of overpriced games. No Steam seasonal sales, no DRM-free GOG games, lackluster selection of F2P games... nothing appealing there.
Also, no guarantee that your next Xbox is going to be compatible with your older games. That's why consoles are cheaper than PCs.

XBOne X has polaris-based GPU (roughly an equivalent of RX470-480). This makes it only slightly faster than Vega24 in Subor Z+ (should be fairly similar to existing benchmarks for i7-8809G, if not CPU-bound).

Plus, Subor is a PC which runs Windows or Linux. You can upgrade your SSD, you can install/delete software, you can use it as HTPC or NAS when it gets outdated (there is a removable tray for SATA HDD, just like on an old PS3 Fat).

I like the case. If they could come up with a case like this but to house regular PC components I would be all over it.

Check out Fractal Design Node 202 or Silverstone Raven. Those are my favorites for those kinds of builds.

 

[R0H1T]

Yeah wondered the same a bit too. Anandtech have the machine too, they haven't really reviewed it though. Software on this thing ain't ready.

It has full win10, I doubt it'll get more ready than that

 

[Imsochobo]

Total failure, who is gonna buy this crap for 650-730$? maybe for 250-300$ it would make sense.

Find me an 650-730$ pc with the specs.
gpu and cpu alone is 400$... case and psu another 100, memory and yeah...
This is the type of pc Most of the market out there use, not RTX, not GTX1070, not I9's, R7's etc...

 

[sepheronx]

@silentbogo

I was looking at the Node 202. Wanting to get it but not wanting to shell out for a SFX powersupply atm.

 

[R0H1T]

Find me an 650-730$ pc with the specs.
gpu and cpu alone is 400$... case and psu another 100, memory and yeah...
This is the type of pc Most of the market out there use, not RTX, not GTX1070, not I9's, R7's etc...

This is better than the PC majority of desktop or notebook users have, in fact the vast majority.

 

[jabbadap]

It has full win10, I doubt it'll get more ready than that

I don't talking about OS, look that digitalfoundry video.

 

[Kamgusta]

At least to see if they are in the ballpark, a quick check on Newegg should give us the answer:

Cooler Master HAF 912 $60
WD 1TB Blue 7200 RPM $45
ASrock B350 $90
Seasonic 550W $70
GSkill 8 GB (2x4GB) DDR4 2400 MHz $60
Ryzen 1500X $140
Windows 10 64-bit OEM $100
Asrock Radeon 570 4GB $150
Total $715

Of course you can modify this up and down by $100, but other than one's preference for manufacturer, you at least can't build anything on the same performance level for much less.

EDIT: Of course small form factor is worth something to many people and my build doesn't take that into consideration.

Well...

Antec NSK3100 40$
WD SSD Blue 3D 500GB 90$
Gigabyte B450M 70$
EVGA 400W 40$
Patriot Viper 4 2x4GB DDR4 3000 MHz 70$
Ryzen 2600 160$
W10 Corporation OEM 20$
Powercolor RX570 4GB 170$
TOTAL 660$

This is 20% faster and costs 10% less

 

[Readlight]

Does Driveclub works on 4k 60fps on it? And evrything else.

We are talking China, sh!tload of people, so there is no problem selling 10-20 miljon pcs.

Games optimized for the soc should perform on par with 1060 3GB

Is this pure VEGA or could it be a little bit of Navi in the mix?

i n asia there is 90% prebuilt pirated computers.
ofcors mony also is printed from nothing.

 

[Zubasa]

I have no idea where people are pulling those 20% faster numbers from, at least on the GPU side.
The RX 570 is slower than a RX 480, and basically slightly faster than the IGPU in this thing.

Find me an 650-730$ pc with the specs.
gpu and cpu alone is 400$... case and psu another 100, memory and yeah...
This is the type of pc Most of the market out there use, not RTX, not GTX1070, not I9's, R7's etc...

Exactly, and people are assuming PC parts are the same price every where in the world.
The USA has some of the lowest hardward price possible in the World, in most places expect 20~30% if not 50% more expensive prices than those $600~700 PCs people have listed.

For example on Taobao which is the same company of Ali-express. Note that there is a big sale going on right now a "Double 11" event.
The Ryzen 2600 is 1349 RMB about $195.
A Dataland (same company as PowerColor) RX 570 4GB is about $188.
The WD Blue SSD 500G sata version is about $102.
When you add up everything this extra cost is signifcant.
In the end you end up with something like 6000+ RMB PC vs a 4999 RMB machine.
Sure the PC is faster but also quite a bit more expensive.

 

[sepheronx]

I have no idea where people are pulling those 20% faster numbers from, at least on the GPU side.
The RX 570 is slower than a RX 480, and basically slightly faster than the IGPU in this thing.

Exactly, and people are assuming PC parts are the same price every where in the world.
The USA has some of the lowest hardward price possible in the World, in most places expect 20~30% if not 50% more expensive prices than those $600~700 PCs people have listed.

For example on Taobao which is the same company of Ali-express. Note that there is a big sale going on right now a "Double 11" event.
The Ryzen 2600 is 1349 RMB about $195.
A Dataland (same company as PowerColor) RX 570 4GB is about $188.
The WD Blue SSD 500G sata version is about $102.
When you add up everything this extra cost is signifcant.
In the end you end up with something like 6000+ RMB PC vs a 4999 RMB machine.
Sure the PC is faster but also quite a bit more expensive.

Probably why x79 is still a rage over in China with the Chinese motherboards and cheap processors and ECC RAM.

 

[Freez]

Another AD with Jackie Chan incoming?