ZOTAC at CES 2018: AMD Raven Ridge APU in a ZBOX MA551 Mini-PC
by Anton Shilov on January 16, 2018 4:00 PM EST- Posted in
- CES 2018
- AMD
- ZOTAC
- ZBOX
- Trade Shows
- AM4
- Ryzen
- Raven Ridge
LAS VEGAS, NV — ZOTAC is preparing a small form-factor PC based on an AMD’s Ryzen processor with integrated Vega graphics. The ZOTAC ZBOX MA551 will be among the first compact computers powered by AMD’s code-named ‘Raven Ridge’ chips, and the system design should allow it support all AM4 APUs as well as a comprehensive set of connectivity features.
ZOTAC’s ZBOX MA551 will exist in at least two variants equipped with AMD’s quad-core Ryzen 3 2200G and Ryzen 5 2400G APUs with the Radeon Vega integrated graphics. The chips are rated to dissipate a maximum of 65 W of power (based on AMD’s TDP data) and ZOTAC outfits the APUs with a cooling system that features a large copper heatsink and a blower. The cooler looks like a GPU cooler, so its peak performance likely exceeds 65 W and enables ZOTAC to install APUs with a higher TDP or for better boost. So far AMD has announced only two Raven Ridge SoCs for desktops, so if the company rolls-out APUs with higher power and cooling requirements, the MA551 will be ready to house them.
ZOTAC’s ZBOX MA551 comes in a matte black metallic enclosure, with the internal architecture the mini-PC looking very simple, allowing the user to easily install key components as well as potentially upgrade them. The mini-PC can be equipped with up to 32 GB of DDR4-2400 memory using two SO-DIMMs, an M.2-2280 PCIe/SATA SSD, and a separate 2.5” storage device.
When it comes to connectivity, the ZBOX MA551 is outfitted with an 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.2 module, a gigabit Ethernet connector, four USB 3.0 Type-A headers, a USB Type-C port, three display outputs (one DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0) and an SD/microSD card reader.
| Preliminary Specifications of ZOTAC's Ryzen APU-Based SFF PC | |||
| MA551 | |||
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 3 2200G 4C/4T 3.5 - 3.7 GHz 6 MB cache 65 W TDP |
AMD Ryzen 5 2400G 4C/8T 3.6 - 3.9 GHz 6 MB cache 65 W TDP |
|
| iGPU | Radeon Vega 8 CUs 512 SPs Up to 1100 MHz |
Radeon Vega 11 CUs 704 SPs Up to 1250 MHz |
|
| Memory | 2 × DDR4-2400 SO-DIMM slots up to 32 GB of memory |
||
| Storage | M.2 | M.2 2280 slot for PCIe/SATA SSD- | |
| DFF | 1 × 2.5" SSD/HDD | ||
| Card Reader | SD/microSD | ||
| Wireless | 802.11ac Wi-Fi + BT 4.2 | ||
| Ethernet | 1 × Gigabit Ethernet with RJ45 connector | ||
| Display Outputs | 1 × DisplayPort 1.2 2 × HDMI 2.0 |
||
| Audio | 3.5 mm audio-in 3.5 mm audio-out |
||
| USB | 4×USB 3.0 Type-A 1×USB 3.? Type-C |
||
| PSU | External | ||
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 or none | ||
ZOTAC plans to start selling its Raven Ridge-based ZBOX MA551 sometimes in the second quarter, after AMD makes such processors widely available. Pricing is yet unknown.
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The Benjamins - Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - link
In the article you have a typo. "(two DisplayPort 1.2, one HDMI 2.0)" it should be 1 DP and 2 HDMIAnton Shilov - Wednesday, January 17, 2018 - link
Thanks for sharp eyes, fixed!phoenix_rizzen - Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - link
This line is backward:"...three display outputs (two DisplayPort 1.2, one HDMI 2.0) ..."
The table lists 2 HDMI and 1 DP. And the picture of the backpanel shows 2 HDMI and 1 DP port.
Anton Shilov - Wednesday, January 17, 2018 - link
Thanks for sharp eyes, fixed!MonkeyPaw - Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - link
Pricing is key, but this looks very interesting to me. If Apple ever decided to use AMD for their CPUs, these RR APUs sure sound like they would be great in an updated Mac mini.jimjamjamie - Friday, January 19, 2018 - link
You'd be better off hoping that this zbox is suitable for a hackintosh build.spikebike - Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - link
Looks quite nice. I've been looking for a Intel NUC like system with a better GPU. Here's hoping the pricing is competitive.YukaKun - Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - link
I'm not fully convinced about the vacuum cleaner dissipation system. The whole point of these things is to be silent, as much as possible, so I hope they are made so they actually operate with very low RPMs under normal conditions.Other than that, they look really interesting.
Cheers!
sor - Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - link
I’ve got one with an i7 that has one of those blowers and it is barely audible. Worst case it will probably sound like a laptop since most laptops have similar fans.dakishimesan - Tuesday, January 16, 2018 - link
Can you tell me the model number of the one that you have? Thank you!