Zotac launched its first small form-factor gaming desktop PCs with support for NVIDIA GeForce 10 series graphics last year. But at the time the company only supported laptop versions of NVIDIA’s Pascal-based graphics chips.
Now Zotac is updating its Magnus line of mini gaming PCs, and this time the company is adding support for full-sized desktop graphics cards.
The new Zotac Magnus EK Series features 7th-gen Intel “Kaby Lake” quad-core processor options and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or 1070 graphics.
Zotac’s Magnus ER series features the same graphics options, but this model is powered by an AMD Ryzen processor rather than an Intel CPU.
Each model features support for up to 32GB of DDR4-2400 RAM and includes a 2.5 inch drive bay and an M.2 SATA slot for solid state and/or hard drive storage. The computers have 4 USB 3.0 ports, a USB 3.1 TYpe-A port, and a USB 3.1 Type-C port, an SD card slot, 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2.
There are 3 DisplayPort 1.4 ports, but you can connect up to three external displays thanks to the USB Type-C port which also supports video output.
Here are some of the configurations Zotac will offer at launch:
- Zotac Magnus ER51060 – AMD Ryzen 5 1400/NVIDIA GTX 1060
- Zotac Magnus ER51070 – AMD Ryzen 5 1400/NVIDIA GTX 1070
- Zotac Magnus EK51060 – Intel Core i5-7300HQ/NVIDIA GTX 1060
- Zotac Magnus EK51070 – Intel Core i5-7300HQ/NVIDIA GTX 1070
There also Plus and “with Windows” versions of each configuration. The basic model is sold as a barebones system with a processor and graphics, but no memory and storage.
Plus means you get 8GB of RAM, a 120GB SSD and 1TB of storage, but no operating system.
With Windows, means you get all of the above plus Windows 10 Home comes pre-installed.
Links don’t work. They show all mini PC models but I think you can’t find the new models if you use filters. Probably pages removed?
Huh, that is weird. Looks like the pages are gone.
Based on previous Magnus models, I’m certain this is going to be over $1700 with no RAM or storage.
I love the concept of Mini Gaming PCs, but in practice they just don’t make enough sense.
Mini gaming PCs are a major compromise. You’re probably not going to have much luck being able to upgrading anything on this PC, aside from RAM and storage. That i5 HQ CPU is a laptop CPU, youre not upgrading that. The GPU is probably mounted with a custom bracket, and the case is probably designed to accommodate only that specific GPU. If you’re resourceful and creative enough to upgrade those things, you probably aren’t buying a pre-made PC anyways.
Another major compromise with Mini Gaming PCs, is the cooling. They probably have designed something sufficient in ability, but they are often smaller and louder fans than a larger PC would have. I obviously can’t comment on this model yet, but Zotac doesn’t have a good track record for CPU fan noise.
You could build your own PC for about $1400, with RAM and storage, AND a more powerful GTX 1080 GPU, and best of all, a cooling solution quiet and adequate enough for overclocking.
SilverStone RVz02.
Just saiyan
(MSI Trident 3, and Corsair One are neat too)
I think the r5-1400 was a poor choice.
Would’ve made more sense if they went with a r3-1200 as it produces same/similar performance when slightly overclocked.
The r5-1500X is definitely faster than both, but not by a huge stretch.
However, the r5-1600 is really where they should’ve gone with considering the intended price for this box. It boasts a much better performance than the 1500x or the other options, and can match the higher tier Ryzen processors when it comes to gaming performance (excl. Ashes).
You have to understand that the R3 isn’t going to be overclocked in a PC like this. You aren’t going to have a cooling solution adequate for overclocking. Zotac had to deliver a CPU that will perform well enough in its stock form