ZOTAC Introduces the ZBOX ID45 Mini PC

[Cristian_25H]

ZOTAC International, a global innovator and manufacturer of graphics cards, mainboards and mini-PCs, today combines the power of 3rd Generation Intel Core i3 processing with NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 graphics to create the ultimate 4K ready HTPC. The new ZBOX ID45 series delivers the perfect synergy of energy-efficiency and high-quality video processing in a compact form factor.

"ZOTAC has always married the capabilities of energy-efficient Intel processors with incredible NVIDIA GeForce graphics since the first ZBOX shipped with NVIDIA ION," said Carsten Berger, senior director, ZOTAC International. "The latest ZBOX ID45 series pushes that synergy even further with greater performance while maintaining excellent energy-efficiency."





The NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 graphics enhances the video playback capabilities of the ZOTAC ZBOX ID45 series with high-quality HD processing and 4K video decode capabilities for a superior HTPC experience. An Intel Core i3 3227U processor delivers outstanding CPU performance with dual processor cores and Intel HyperThreading technology for unmatched multitasking responsiveness and quick video transcoding capabilities.

Dual Gigabit Ethernet enables excellent wired networking capabilities for redundant connectivity or to transform the ZBOX ID45 series into a high-performance network router. Wireless 802.11ac networking technology delivers a wireless experience that's comparable to wired Ethernet on the ZOTAC ZBOX ID45 series.

The ZOTAC ZBOX ID45 series ships as a barebones and as a PLUS version with 4 GB DDR3 and 500 GB hard drive preinstalled. Users can install a variety of operating systems on the ZOTAC ZBOX ID45 series including Windows 7, 8 and OpenELEC.

It's time to play with the ZOTAC ZBOX ID45 series.

General details

• ZOTAC Combines 3rd Generation Intel Core i3 with NVIDIA GeForce GT 640
• New ZBOX ID45 series
• Intel Core i3 3227U
• 1.9 GHz, dual-core, 3MB L2 cache
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 640
  2 GB DDR3
• PLUS models available with preinstalled memory and hard drive
  4 GB DDR3
  500 GB HDD
• HDMI, DVI-I and VGA (with included adapter) outputs
• 4K video decoding
• High quality HD video processing
• 802.11ac Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 4.0 w/ external WiFi antenna
• 4 x USB 3.0
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Bundled VESA75/100 mount

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Easy Rhino]

Since there is barely any 4K content why would I buy something because it is 4K ready? Sounds like marketing departments are already drinking the kool-aid !

 

[MikeMurphy]

Includes a dedicated GPU? That's a pretty serious box.

 

[redeye]

this spells DOOM for the mac mini... so a new mac mini is not far off..

Common wisdom about Apple is that they value GPU more than CPU, a gt640(630v2) blows away a hd4000 and competes with the iris pro (hd5200); IMO gt630v2 is actually better because nvidia drivers are better and have more features... (VDPAU)

(my feelling is that this gt640 in the id45 is a gt630v2 (gk208, 64 bit bus)


i have a mythtv frontend (mythbuntu) that uses a gt630v2 (a gt640 with 64bit memory) and it is perfect for deinterlacing OTA hdtv. it is perfect for mythtv...

question is how much will the ID45 cost?...pricing a system with a h81 motherboard (75), g2130 CPU(75), 4GB(40), HDD(~75), gtx630v2(65), case+tfx gold level PSU (50+~50$ ,i estimate it at this cost because the id45 has a custom case, and the psu while around 85 watt is going to be gold level efficient)

so my estimate is around 430(for a DIY system... so i wonder if this Zotac id45 will be priced at 399?.

TL;DR ... finally a no compromise media box...(you can also game on it if you play at low settings)

 

[Easy Rhino]

this spells DOOM for the mac mini... so a new mac mini is not far off..

a new mac mini is not far off not because of these systems but because it is due for a revamp. mac users will generally only buy mac products because they want one system that plays well together. start mixing mac products with linux and windows and you have a sys admin nightmare. no home user wants to deal with that.