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MagyarZotac Zbox pico PI430AJ review: The world's first mini PC with active AirJet technology cools the Intel Core i3-N300 in a 0.055 gal case
Zotac has been offering extremely compact PCs under the pico series pseudonym, focusing on silent operation. The latest model, however, introduces significant changes. Featuring the new Intel Core i3-N300, with native 8 cores for enhanced multi-thread performance, the standout feature is the integrated AirJet technology designed to cool the SoC. The Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ is equipped with 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 512 GB NVMe SSD, priced at around $599.99 for this configuration. While this cost is relatively high, given the competitive options within the $500 range, the unique selling point of the innovative cooling unit shouldn't be overlooked. The device's performance was closely examined to assess its effectiveness. A comparative device list has been compiled for this review, featuring devices within the same price range.
Possible competitors compared
Rating | Date | Model | Weight | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69.9 % | 01/2024 | Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ i3-N300, UHD Graphics 32EUs | 318 g | 560 EUR |
| 74.1 % | 11/2023 | Acemagic S1 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | 440 g | 239 EUR |
| 73.5 % | 09/2023 | Blackview MP80 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | 214 g | 250 EUR |
| 73.2 % | 01/2024 | Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV N200, UHD Graphics Xe 750 32EUs | 828 g | 299 EUR |
| 71.1 % | 07/2023 | BOSGAME N95 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | 392 g | 179 EUR |
| 70.1 % | 11/2023 | Trigkey G4 N100, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | 272 g | 189 EUR |
| 68.2 % | 03/2023 | Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | 381 g | 399 EUR |
| 65.9 % | 01/2023 | Minipc Union Ace Magician T8Pro Celeron N5095, UHD Graphics (Jasper Lake 16 EU) | 209 g | 280 EUR |
07/2022 | Zotac ZBOX PI336 pico Celeron N6211, UHD Graphics (Elkhart Lake 16 EU) | 293 g | 370 EUR |
Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ in detail
Case - Compact 0.055 gal aluminum case
Visually, the Zotac Zbox pico PI430A bears a strong resemblance to its predecessor, the Zotac Zbox PI336 pico. The compact housing is crafted entirely from aluminum, serving as a medium for heat dissipation. While the previous model relied solely on passive cooling, the PI430A adopts a dual-cooling approach, integrating the active AirJet technology alongside conventional cooling methods. This tiny structure of the device is stable due to its excellent construction and flawless finishing. Compared to its predecessor, the thickness has increased slightly due to the active cooling feature, although it still has a thin profile just under 24 millimeters. With dimensions of nearly 15 centimeters in length and only 7.6 centimeters in depth, this small PC offers a space-efficient solution for desktop use. The option for VESA mounting further enhances its versatility, and the required fitting materials are conveniently included in the package.
Connectivity
Despite its small size, the Zotac Zbox pico PI430A contains all the necessary connectors, despite its restrictions. Three USB 3.2 ports are present, one of which is Type-C compliant. Nevertheless, the device cannot be powered by the Type-C connector. There is a microSD card reader as well as HDMI (2.0) and DisplayPort (1.4) ports for connecting monitors.
SD card reader
The integrated SD card reader supports only microSD cards and provides USB 3 speed. However, the full potential of our test card (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) cannot be fully realized.
| SD Card Reader | |
| average JPG Copy Test (av. of 3 runs) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (16.9 - 181.8, n=17, last 2 years) | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI336 pico (AV PRO MICROSD V60) | |
| AC6-M Mini-PC (AV PRO MICROSD V60) | |
| Newsmay AC8 N6005 (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
| maximum AS SSD Seq Read Test (1GB) | |
| Average of class Mini PC (18.2 - 200, n=17, last 2 years) | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI336 pico (AV PRO MICROSD V60) | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
| AC6-M Mini-PC (AV PRO MICROSD V60) | |
| Newsmay AC8 N6005 (AV Pro SD microSD 128 GB V60) | |
Communication
The Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX101 module that comes with the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ is non-replaceable and supports frequencies up to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Its performance on the test is mediocre. However, it showed consistent values for both sending and receiving. Our router while testing was the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000. Additionally, the mini PC provides an RJ45 socket for a wired network connection, allowing for data transfer rates of up to 1 GBit/s.
Warranty
According to the warranty conditions, Zotac provides a 12-month standard warranty with the purchase of the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ.
Maintenance
The Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ should require minimal maintenance. If you purchase the device as a barebone version, installing an SSD is a straightforward process. The underside is secured with four screws and can be easily removed. Upon disassembling the device, it was observed that the producer has incorporated small dust filters on the sides, which should help maintain a clean interior even with prolonged use. Further disassembly to clean the fan is unnecessary, as the integrated AirJet cooling unit is a self-contained system directly attached to the processor as a heat sink. After a few years, it might be worthwhile to consider replacing the thermal paste on the processor.
Performance - Intel Core i3 with 8 cores
Equipped with the Intel Core i3-N300, the efficient SoC provides eight native computing cores. The processor's power limits are set with a power consumption ranging from 7 to 25 watts. During our tests, we did not approach the maximum power limit. The SoC is supported by 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, which is soldered onto the board. The SSD is a 512 GB model, which is a suitable storage capacity.
Testing conditions
We conducted all performance tests using the maximum performance energy profile. Different energy-saving profiles were only employed for energy consumption and volume measurements. Additional details regarding our testing criteria can be found here.
Processor
The Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ is powered by the Intel Core i3-N300. With its 8 cores, the SoC clearly outperforms the Intel N200 in the Asus ExpertCenter PN42. According to the specifications, our test sample can access up to 25 watts. However, during our tests, we couldn't come close to this value, leading to performance that is only marginally better than that of the competitors despite the active AirJet cooling unit. After obtaining an overall average score, the small PC comes in fifth place and secures victory solely in the internal competition. Nonetheless, it places well in particular tests that require multi-core performance. This is evident in the AIDA64 tests, where the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ emerges as the fastest device by a considerable margin.
Additional benchmarks on the processors can be found here.
| WinRAR - Result | |
| Trigkey G4 | |
| Acemagic S1 | |
| BOSGAME N95 | |
| Blackview MP80 | |
| Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 | |
| Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ | |
| Minipc Union Ace Magician T8Pro | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI336 pico | |
| WebXPRT 3 - Overall | |
| Trigkey G4 | |
| Blackview MP80 | |
| BOSGAME N95 | |
| Acemagic S1 | |
| Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV | |
| Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 | |
| Minipc Union Ace Magician T8Pro | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI336 pico | |
* ... smaller is better
AIDA64: FP32 Ray-Trace | FPU Julia | CPU SHA3 | CPU Queen | FPU SinJulia | FPU Mandel | CPU AES | CPU ZLib | FP64 Ray-Trace | CPU PhotoWorxx
Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ vs. Cinebench-R15 Continuous Loop
The Cinebench R15 Continuous Loop was highly demanding for the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ, resulting in elevated temperatures. The Intel Core i3-N300 struggled to maintain a consistently high performance due to these increased CPU temperatures. Telemetry data indicated a gradual decline in performance as the SoC temperature rose. Additionally, the power consumption never exceeded eight watts throughout the test, resulting in a final average score of only 386 points.
System Performance
Due to the constrained power consumption of the Intel Core i3-N300, the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ exhibits limited competitiveness in system performance benchmarks compared to its rivals. While our test system performs well in RAM tests, a noticeable latency during operation cannot be overlooked.
* ... smaller is better
DPC latency
As expected, we observed significantly elevated DPC latencies on the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ. Our test unit experienced no issues during simple internet browsing. The values only increased during playback of our 4K test video, with the iGPU being utilized around 35 percent.
* ... smaller is better
Storage devices
Our test unit of the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ comes equipped with a 512 GB NVMe SSD from an unknown manufacturer. The built-in model, at least, fully utilizes the M.2 interface. The SSD's performance is commendable and matches that of the BiWin model in the Acemagic S1.
During testing, we did not encounter any temperature-related issues with the SSD. The SSD is housed in the device from the underside, which is also used for direct heat dissipation. In addition to the pre-installed 3.15-inch SSD, shorter SSDs can be accommodated. Therefore, if you opt for the barebone version of the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ, you have the flexibility to choose between 1.18-, 1.65-, or 3.15-inch long SSDs
For further comparisons and benchmarks, please refer to our comparison table.
* ... smaller is better
Reading continuous performance: DiskSpd Read Loop, Queue Depth 8
Graphics card
The image output on the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ is handled by the Intel UHD Graphics with 32 EUs. Despite the processor not reaching its maximum power consumption, the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ performs well against its competition, securing the first-place position in synthetic 3D tests. The additional Execution Units (EUs) and the utilization of DDR5 RAM contribute to slightly better performance.
You can find additional benchmarks for Intel UHD Graphics here.
| 3DMark 06 - 1280x1024 Standard Score AA:0x AF:0x | |
| Blackview MP80 | |
| BOSGAME N95 | |
| Acemagic S1 | |
| Trigkey G4 | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ | |
| Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 | |
| Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV | |
| Minipc Union Ace Magician T8Pro | |
| 3DMark Performance Rating - Percent | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ | |
| Blackview MP80 | |
| Trigkey G4 | |
| BOSGAME N95 | |
| Acemagic S1 | |
| Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 | |
| Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV | |
| Minipc Union Ace Magician T8Pro | |
| Unigine Valley 1.0 | |
| 1920x1080 Extreme HD DirectX AA:x8 | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ | |
| Blackview MP80 | |
| BOSGAME N95 | |
| Trigkey G4 | |
| Acemagic S1 | |
| Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 | |
| Minipc Union Ace Magician T8Pro | |
| Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV | |
| 1920x1080 Extreme HD Preset OpenGL AA:x8 | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ | |
| Blackview MP80 | |
| BOSGAME N95 | |
| Acemagic S1 | |
| Trigkey G4 | |
| Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 | |
| Minipc Union Ace Magician T8Pro | |
| Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV | |
| 3DMark 06 Standard Score | 9971 points | |
| 3DMark Vantage P Result | 7913 points | |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 2390 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 45600 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 7939 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 1574 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme Score | 787 points | |
Help | ||
Gaming Performance
While the 3D performance is improved with the integrated GPU (iGPU) of the Intel Core i3-N300 compared to the Intel N200, the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ is not suitable for demanding 3D games. It can handle simple casual or browser games, but for more demanding performance, considering options like the Minisforum EliteMini UM780 XTX would be advisable.
Final Fantasy XV Benchmark: 1280x720 Lite Quality | 1920x1080 Standard Quality
X-Plane 11.11: 1280x720 low (fps_test=1) | 1920x1080 med (fps_test=2)
| Final Fantasy XV Benchmark / Standard Quality | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ | |
| Trigkey G4 | |
| Blackview MP80 | |
| BOSGAME N95 | |
| Acemagic S1 | |
| Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 | |
| Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV | |
| Minipc Union Ace Magician T8Pro | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI336 pico | |
| X-Plane 11.11 / med (fps_test=2) | |
| BOSGAME N95 | |
| Blackview MP80 | |
| Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 | |
| Trigkey G4 | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ | |
| Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV | |
| Zotac ZBOX PI336 pico | |
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
| GTA V (2015) | 35.7 | 30.5 | ||
| Dota 2 Reborn (2015) | 44.2 | 31.5 | 24.1 | 22.1 |
| Final Fantasy XV Benchmark (2018) | 14.2 | 7.98 | 5.34 | |
| X-Plane 11.11 (2018) | 17.3 | 12.7 | 10.7 | |
| Strange Brigade (2018) | 32.5 | 13.7 | 11.5 |
Emissions - AirJet cooling isn't silent
System noise
Zotac has adopted a novel cooling approach for the processor in the Zbox pico PI430AJ, employing two AirJet mini cooling modules (each with a cooling capacity of 5.25 watts) from Frore System. These modules utilize high-frequency vibrations of the membranes to generate a substantial airflow for cooling the internal components. The system, however, doesn't operate in complete silence, as indicated by our measurement results. At idle, the volume level is a very low approximately 26.6 dB(A). With moderate load, the noise level increases to 29.4 dB(A). It's important to note a peak noise level slightly exceeding 40 dB(A). Additionally, the subjective perception of volume may seem somewhat louder due to the high-frequency cooling noise.
Noise Level
| Idle |
| 26.7 / 26.7 / 26.8 dB(A) |
| Load |
| 29.4 / 40.1 dB(A) |
 | ||
30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
||
min:  , med:  , max:  Earthworks M23R (15 cm distance) environment noise: 25.5 dB(A) | ||
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ i3-N300, UHD Graphics 32EUs | Acemagic S1 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | Blackview MP80 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV N200, UHD Graphics Xe 750 32EUs | BOSGAME N95 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | Trigkey G4 N100, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | Minipc Union Ace Magician T8Pro Celeron N5095, UHD Graphics (Jasper Lake 16 EU) | Zotac ZBOX PI336 pico Celeron N6211, UHD Graphics (Elkhart Lake 16 EU) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise | -2% | 2% | 12% | -6% | -10% | -15% | -6% | ||
| off / environment * | 25.5 | 25 2% | 25.2 1% | 25 2% | 29.7 -16% | 24.8 3% | 30.4 -19% | 30.2 -18% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 26.7 | 25.5 4% | 25.4 5% | 25 6% | 30.2 -13% | 30.6 -15% | 31 -16% | 30.2 -13% | |
| Idle Average * | 26.7 | 26.9 -1% | 25.5 4% | 25 6% | 30.2 -13% | 31.3 -17% | 31.1 -16% | 30.2 -13% | |
| Idle Maximum * | 26.8 | 27 -1% | 25.5 5% | 25 7% | 30.2 -13% | 32.1 -20% | 31.8 -19% | 30.2 -13% | |
| Load Average * | 29.4 | 34.3 -17% | 32.3 -10% | 25 15% | 30.4 -3% | 34.8 -18% | 33.3 -13% | 30.5 -4% | |
| Load Maximum * | 40.1 | 40.3 -0% | 36.4 9% | 25 38% | 31.4 22% | 37.1 7% | 42.5 -6% | 30.9 23% |
* ... smaller is better
Temperature
Alongside the active cooling unit, the case serves as a means of heat dissipation, following the pattern of its predecessor. Consequently, we observe considerably higher case temperatures compared to most other Mini PCs. The hot spot temperatures reach up to 158 °F, indicating a significant heat build-up. During the stress test, the SoC itself reached a temperature of 197.6 °F. It's worth noting that since this was a test sample and there were signs of prior disassembly, it can be assumed that the factory-applied thermal paste may not have been in its original condition. We replaced the thermal paste on the processor, resulting in slightly lower temperatures.
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 69.5 °C / 157 F, compared to the average of 35.4 °C / 96 F, ranging from 26 to 69.5 °C for the class Mini PC.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 62.8 °C / 145 F, compared to the average of 36.9 °C / 98 F
(-) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 48.3 °C / 119 F, compared to the device average of 32 °C / 90 F.
Power consumption
We couldn't assert that the Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ demonstrated extreme frugality. Even in idle mode, our measuring device indicated a power consumption ranging from 11.3 to 15.2 watts at the socket. Under moderate load, we observed just under 23 watts, although it briefly reached up to 28.5 watts at its peak. The latter was of very short duration, and the 25 watt power supply unit coped without issues.
| Off / Standby | 2.3 / 2.3 Watt |
| Idle | 11.3 / 11.6 / 15.2 Watt |
| Load |
22.8 / 28.5 Watt |
   
| |
| Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ i3-N300, UHD Graphics 32EUs | Acemagic S1 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | Blackview MP80 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | Asus ExpertCenter PN42-BBN200MV N200, UHD Graphics Xe 750 32EUs | BOSGAME N95 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | Trigkey G4 N100, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | Minipc Union NiPoGi GK3PLUS - N95 N95, UHD Graphics 24EUs (Alder Lake-N) | Minipc Union Ace Magician T8Pro Celeron N5095, UHD Graphics (Jasper Lake 16 EU) | Zotac ZBOX PI336 pico Celeron N6211, UHD Graphics (Elkhart Lake 16 EU) | Average Intel UHD Graphics 32EUs (Alder Lake) | Average of class Mini PC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 4% | 33% | 35% | 44% | 17% | 33% | 23% | 55% | 14% | -63% | |
| Idle Minimum * | 11.3 | 7.1 37% | 4.9 57% | 4.4 61% | 3.5 69% | 8.2 27% | 6.1 46% | 8.4 26% | 5.4 52% | 5.88 ? 48% | 9.8 ? 13% |
| Idle Average * | 11.6 | 12.1 -4% | 7.1 39% | 6 48% | 3.6 69% | 8.6 26% | 6.9 41% | 8.4 28% | 5.5 53% | 7 ? 40% | 11.7 ? -1% |
| Idle Maximum * | 15.2 | 13.9 9% | 7.3 52% | 9.7 36% | 6.2 59% | 10.4 32% | 8.9 41% | 11.1 27% | 6.2 59% | 9.35 ? 38% | 14.7 ? 3% |
| Load Average * | 22.8 | 23.8 -4% | 20.6 10% | 14.6 36% | 20.4 11% | 19.4 15% | 20 12% | 16.5 28% | 11.3 50% | 26.4 ? -16% | 51.9 ? -128% |
| Load Maximum * | 28.5 | 33 -16% | 26.2 8% | 30.2 -6% | 25 12% | 33.1 -16% | 21.1 26% | 26.3 8% | 11.8 59% | 39.3 ? -38% | 86 ? -202% |
* ... smaller is better
Power consumption with external monitor
Pros
Cons
Verdict - Intel Core i3-N300 with restrictions
The mini PC follows Zotac's approach of creating a compact device suitable for everyday office tasks, deviating from the passive cooling unit trend by implementing two active AirJet modules to cool the Intel Core i3-N300. Although this cooling technique seems promising, the test results indicate limitations in continuous operation due to the PL1 limit, providing only around 7 watts to the SoC, although its potential allows up to 25 watts with better cooling. The active AirJet modules offer a combined cooling capacity of 10.5 watts, restricting the performance. Despite the native eight computing units of the Intel Core i3-N300, competitors with Intel N95 or Intel N100 processors outperform it in average performance tests.
The Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ is the world's first tiny PC with an active AirJet cooling device. However, the integrated Intel Core i3-N300 falls short of reaching its full potential.
The build quality, on the other hand, is impeccable, leaving a premium impression thanks to the aluminum housing. The connectivity is practical and provides all the necessary features. The option to utilize the USB-C port for both image output and power supply would indeed be beneficial. This could facilitate cable management and eliminate unnecessary clutter when attaching to a monitor.
To sum up, Zotac leads the way in launching the industry's first tiny PC with a ground-breaking cooling system. But at the price point—roughly $599.99—the rival is currently in a better position.
Price and availability
The Zotac Zbox pico PI430AJ is currently unavailable for purchase. The initial models are expected to be in stock within the next few weeks.
Zotac ZBOX PI430AJ
-
01/17/2024 v7
Sebastian Bade
Transparency
The present review sample was made available to the author as a loan by the manufacturer or a shop for the purposes of review. The lender had no influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review.
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