Zotac is updating its ZBOX E-series line of small desktop computers with hardware aimed at gamers. Last year the company launched the ZBOX EN760 with an Intel Core i5 Haswell CPU and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M graphics.

Now Zotac is launching a new model called the ZBOX EN860… which also has a Core i5 Haswell CPU and GeForce 860M graphics.

But it does have a few new features as well.

zbox e

The Zotac ZBOX EN860 features a 1.7 GHz Core i5-4210U processor, which is a tad faster than the i5-4200U chip in last year’s model.

The new system also supports DisplayPort (last year’s model did not). And… that’s about it. The rest of the specs are pretty much the same, except it looks like Zotac removed the mSATA 3.0 Gbps slot that was available in last year’s model.

So here’s what you get with the new EN860:

  • A laptop-class Core i5 processor
  • NVIDIA’s GTX 860M graphics chip (also designed for laptops, but more powerful than integrated Intel graphics)
  • Support for up to 16GB of RAM (2 DDR3-1600 SODIMM slots)
  • 2.5 inch SATA 6.0 Gbps drive bay
  • HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-I
  • Dual Gigabit Ethernet
  • 802.11ac WIFI
  • Bluetooth 4.0

With laptop-class chips, this probably isn’t a computer for high-end gaming. But it’ll support NVIDIA’s GameStream feature which means you can stick this little box in your living room and use it to stream games from a more powerful gaming rig in another location.

Zotac will sell the ZBOX EN860 is a barebones system which means you’ll need to supply memory, storage, and an operating system yourself.

But there’s also a Plus model which will come with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB 5400RPM hard drive. You’ll still need to install your own operating system on that model though.

Update: Futurelooks reports the barebones model will sell for around $550.

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18 replies on “ZBOX EN860 is a small gaming PC from Zotac”

  1. Seems like ZBOX EN860 quality leaves much to be desired. I replaced one unit just few weeks after purchase, it simply stopped switching on with no obvious reason – power button glows red but pressing it has no effect.

    The second unit worked less than 6 months and same problem again. And I’m not using it heavily, just watching movies from time to time. The unit itself is nice and well packaged with features and computing power but it is no use if the quality is so bad.

  2. These machines compare with the new gen consoies so if you can live with that kind of performace coupled with it being nice and small very quiet and still a PC/MediaPC. all good. Youtube has a few gaming performance videos to look at.

  3. Wait, so this will take full 1.5V DDR3 memory?? Or is that a typo?
    Seriously, I’m looking for a barebones zbox and if I can use the DDR3 sodimms that I have from my current laptop that would save me the expense.

  4. No Msata slot means only 1 storage option. So if i want the speed of SSD and lots of storage, Im going to be spending alot of money.

  5. i know it’s almost blasphemous to say this but id rather buy an alienware alpha

  6. So… an 860M. Are there still Kepler cores variants, or has Nvidia finally stopped that nonsense and made these all Maxwell now?

    Given the form factor, Maxwell would be much preferable…

    1. Nope, Kepler….the whole reason they went straight from 700 to 900 Series Names on the Desktop was that they already used up / tainted the 800 Name for mobile Kepler Refresh.

      So Desktop Maxwell Cards are now in Ascending Performance Order:
      750, 750Ti, 960, 970, 980.

  7. Maan those dudes can’t keep the REGULAR PCs from overheating, and they want me to buy one of their GAMING rigs?
    C’mon man.

  8. I think this is interesting also. I’m ready to throw away my big hunk of desktop as I’m not a hardcore gamer, but I like the occasional SC2. This will finally be able to fill that gap since the NUC is just too weak for any real gaming I think…although haven’t really tested the NUC 2.0 out.

      1. I did a search and it seems like the 8510 that’s in that Gigabyte is pretty weak even compare to the GTX 840M, almost 30% weaker, I would hate to see how that compares to GTX 860M. I’ll wait to see what the price for this is though, because I doubt it is half the price. The Gigabyte is $250, I dont think this will be $500.

          1. Oh you’re right, I didn’t think about googling last year’s price. And since it is pretty much the same box, I guess this year’s price wont be too different. Maybe the 5545M is the way to go

      2. Agreed. I’d sooner buy an APU, than a device with a laptop discrete GPU. Way more cost effective.

        Check youtube for some videos of people gaming on an A8-5545. I’m pretty impressed.

    1. Last years model is over 500 on amazon and newegg so i would expect the same or more.

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