General Analysis

Considering most mini-PCs are usually ultra tiny and use entry-level processors, it's certainly a surprise to see a passively cooled one sporting a Intel Core i7. This quad-core, eight-thread CPU packs quite the punch. Paired with a 250 GB SSD and 16 GB of DDR4 memory, the CI660 nano as tested offers enough grunt to easily handle almost any task. Be it Adobe Photoshop or 3D rendering, it does quite well. Multi-tasking with multiple browser tabs, Netflix, Photoshop, etc., all open, resulted in no stuttering or issues. This is the type of system that makes sense as a space-saving office PC or HTPC where the extra performance on offer means it will have a long usable service life.

Considering the system is a barebones offering, users will need to provide their own storage. The CI660 nano only supports a single 2.5" drive, while this does limit overall storage capabilities, this is to be expected considering the size. Even so, I much prefer this over the bare minimum 32 GB of eMMC being used by their competitors, which is no longer enough for Windows 10 and its updates. With no system memory included either, users do get freedom of choice, but will have to spend money out of pocket to get the system operational. No operating system is included; however, Zotac did include all the drivers on a USB thumb drive, which is quite nice.

For the majority of typical computing tasks, the Zotac CI660 nano performed admirably. Web browsing, Netflix playback, 4K YouTube videos, even Steam in-home streaming were no problem for the system. When it comes to editing large spreadsheets, documents, and rendering quick 3D scenes, the system had no problem delivering acceptable performance. That said, the heavier the workload and the longer it takes, the higher the chance of the CPU thermal throttling. Running Cinebench R15 multiple times resulted in the system's multi-core score dropping from the highest score of 706 down to 550. While this is to be expected, it is something I managed to alleviate to some degree by using a silent USB-powered 140 mm fan. While the system would still throttle, the Cinebench score never dropped out of the 600 range. This shows that some form of active cooling would be very beneficial, but it would likely introduce noise where there currently is none.

WiFi capabilities are alright, with the Intel wireless-AC 3165 in its 1x1 setup proving adequate but far from class-leading. While it does get the job done, it doesn't hit the maximum 100 Mbps download speeds my ISP provides. The included gigabit LAN ports make up for that by allowing me to max out my download speeds. In general, networking, be it WiFi or LAN, is solid as a whole and pairs well with the system's USB connectivity options and display outputs. All told, enough connectivity is available for an entire system and a multitude of extras, meaning users don't lose anything here compared to a full desktop and end up with more ports than today's typical notebooks.

Taking a look at total system power consumption, we find the CI660 nano to have a relatively low power draw considering its specifications. Pushing the system to the limit with AIDA64 shows it peak at just 65.5 watts according to my Kill-A-Watt P4400. That said, once enough heat builds up due to the system being passively cooled, it begins to thermal throttle, resulting in power consumption dropping along with clock speeds. Even so, the core frequency settles in at around 2.2–2.9 GHz on all cores under load. While nowhere near the 4.0 GHz boost frequency, it still manages a full 400 to 1100 MHz more than the Intel-guaranteed base frequency of 1.8 GHz.

The overall build quality of the Zotac CI660 nano is exceptional. Its design is simple, durable, easily serviceable, and can be entirely disassembled if needed. Installing the storage and system memory is as simple as removing four screws and lifting off a plastic panel. In general, from build quality to upgrades, I have nothing but praise for the Zotac CI660 nano; my only gripe is the price. While the base MSRP of $699.99 for the Plus model and €569 withou VAT for the barebones model is not bad, once you add memory, storage, possible upgrades, operating system, and your time, the costs begin to add up. This makes mid-level laptops look a bit more promising.