The ECS LIVA Z3 Plus truly is a solid small form factor system that exhibits extreme power efficiency with the entire system using less than 30 W nearly all the time. It is also easy to disassemble and service. As such, I give ECS credit for the system's solid build quality and their attention to detail. The system is also semi-upgradable with the ability to install more system memory, or you can opt for a larger M.2 SSD if the included 128 GB doesn't cut it for you. I will also point out that it is extremely quiet with around 40 dBA during testing and never once got near to thermal throttling as temperatures peaked in the 60 °C range, which was quite nice to see.

Moving on to system performance, one look at the charts shows that ECS's decision to only include 4 GB of memory when it would cost them next to nothing to offer 8 GB in a dual-channel configuration heavily limited performance. During the Cinebench and Blender render tests, the limited amount of RAM was not a problem,but once you move beyond those to the likes of Premiere Pro, where we tracked an object through a scene, the increase in memory capacity dramatically improved performance. This trend continued in PCMark 10 as well, where increasing the memory capacity to 8 GB and from single to dual-channel resulted in a noticeable performance uplift. It even allowed the LIVA Z3 Plus to gain back some ground against the Ryzen 2400G-based DeskMini A300.

Sadly, even with double the memory capacity and bandwidth, the CPU's TDP and weak Intel IGP mean it had no chance of catching the 2400G in any tests leveraging a graphics processor. This also means you would be limited to N64/PS1 or older if using this system for console emulation. Running PS2 titles, I was limited to 640x480, and even then Onimusha Warlords, Suikoden V, and Metal Gear Solid 3 weren't truly playable as frame rates were all over the place. Proper PC games I tested were The Witcher 3, Grand Theft Auto V, and Fallout 4. The first title just would not run for me, but the latter two ran fine, although performance was abysmal. The DeskMini A300 with a 2400G here absolutely wiped the floor with the LIVA Z3 Plus in gaming. Even dropping settings further did little to improve the situation; for example, Fallout 4 at all low settings still could not break 30 FPS with dual-channel memory. So no, the LIVA Z3 Plus isn't a system you will be gaming on unless you are playing ancient titles that are extremely easy to run. Other titles, like League of Legends and Dota 2, can be played at lower settings, but you will need to invest in another stick of memory to truly enjoy those.

The system, while semi-upgradable in regards to system memory and storage via the M.2 slot, has a few pitfalls to be mindful of. In regards to system memory, you will want to select 2666 MHz memory. Anything else likely won't work. While the BIOS does offer provisions to change the RAM speed, setting it to AUTO with the included memory is enough to keep the system from booting. Using a set of 2133 MHz RAM, it wouldn't boot. A 2400 MHz 16 GB kit I had for the ASRock DeskMini also wouldn't boot. I had to order two sets of memory rated at 2666 MHz to get the system working. The first kit was problematic, so it was returned, but the second kit worked just fine. Still, this shows ECS needs to fine-tune the BIOS as it is incredibly limited. Right now, it doesn't even allow for JEDEC standard memory speed selections, and automatic detection is broken.

The ECS LIVA Z3 Plus as configured is overpriced considering its specifications. ECS needs to upgrade the system to 8 GB by default in dual-channel at the very least. You would still likely be better off with the ASRock DeskMini A300 if you don't need something this small, as you can build one with a Ryzen 3400G, 128 GB NVMe SSD, 8 GB (2x 4 GB) 3200 MHz memory, VESA mount, extra USB ports, and audio jack expansion for $400. Spending an extra $50 will double the memory and storage capacity. Meanwhile, the LIVA Z3 Plus at $555.99 + $30 shipping along with another $20+ for at least a 4 GB stick of memory means that getting the system configured as it should be and shipped to your door is going to run you $600+, at which point you are likely better off just grabbing a laptop, especially with the OEM price of Windows 10 factored in. You can opt for cheaper keys elsewhere, but regardless, it's another added cost for both systems unless you are planning on running Linux.

One feature that may spark some interest in the LIVA Z3 Plus is its inclusion of Amazon Alexa thanks to four built-in microphones. For some, this is a useless addition, but others might find it compelling. It all depends on how useful you find these digital assistants. With that said, the LIVA Z3 Plus is still a very niche product that likely makes more sense powering kiosks or signage instead of as a consumer system. ECS's entry-level mini-PCs already do quite well for typical Netflix or Disney+ streaming, YouTube, email, and web browsing. While there is more performance here, it's unnecessary to complete those simple tasks. Factor in the fact that the competition can out-muscle it at a lower cost and the only facet in favor of the LIVA Z3 Plus is that it is ready to power on out of the box.

In summation, the LIVA Z3 Plus is a solid design with acceptable performance and niche features that can handle daily tasks smoothly, but it is too expensive as configured to really step out of the shadow of some of its slightly larger competitors and cheaper laptops.