ZimaBoard 232 Single Board Server Review: Powerful and Compact x86 Server Board
ZimaBoard 232 Single Board Server Review: Powerful and Compact x86 Server Board
Table of Contents
Introduction
The ZimaBoard 232 is a compact and powerful single board server, packed with features that make it suitable for a wide range of applications, from home servers and NAS to embedded systems and industrial automation. It boasts an Intel Celeron N3350 processor, 2GB LPDDR4 memory, 32GB eMMC storage, and a host of I/O options, all in a mini-ITX form factor. In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into the ZimaBoard 232’s performance, features, and overall value to see if it lives up to the hype.
Features
The ZimaBoard 232 is a feature-rich single board server that offers impressive flexibility and expandability. Here’s a breakdown of some key features:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | ZimaBoard 232 |
| Processor | Intel Celeron Processor ‘Apollo Lake’ N3350 2 Cores 1.1GHz base frequency 2.4GHz Burst 2MB L2 cache |
| Graphics | Intel® HD Graphics 500 200MHz Base Frequency 650MHz Burst |
| Memory | LPDDR4 2GB |
| Onboard Storage | eMMC 5.1 32GB |
| TDP | 6W |
| HDD/SSD | 2x SATA 6.0 Gb/s Ports |
| LAN | 2x GbE LAN Ports |
| USB | 2x USB 3.0 |
| PCle | 1x PCle 2.0 x4 |
| Display | 1x Mini-DisplayPort 1.2 4k@60Hz |
| Power | DC 12V 5.5×2.5mm |
| Cooling | Passive |
| Virtualization | Intel VT-d, VT-x |
| Security | AES-NI |
| Transcoding | Support 1080P video |
| Decoding | H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), MPEG-2, VC-1 |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 138.7 x 81.4 x 34.9 mm |
| Weight | 278g |
Performance
The ZimaBoard 232’s Intel Celeron N3350 processor delivers solid performance for everyday tasks, light workloads, and basic server applications. I tested its capabilities by running various benchmarks, including Cinebench, 7-Zip, and Geekbench, and I was impressed with its ability to handle these tests with reasonable speed.
The 2GB LPDDR4 memory provided sufficient memory for most tasks, but for more demanding applications, it might be necessary to consider a board with more RAM. The 32GB eMMC storage is a good option for a small server setup, but for larger storage needs, you can easily connect external drives via the SATA ports.
The passive cooling system kept the board running cool and quiet, making it ideal for a home or office environment. The ZimaBoard 232 also supports Intel VT-d and VT-x virtualization technologies, enabling users to create virtual machines and securely run multiple operating systems on a single board.
Pros & Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the ZimaBoard 232:
Pros
- Compact and space-saving mini-ITX form factor
- Powerful Intel Celeron N3350 processor for everyday tasks
- 2x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports for connecting external drives
- 2x GbE LAN ports for network connectivity
- Passive cooling system for quiet operation
- Supports virtualization with Intel VT-d and VT-x technologies
- Good value for the price
Cons
- Limited onboard storage (32GB eMMC)
- Limited memory (2GB LPDDR4)
- May not be suitable for heavy workloads or demanding applications
Final Verdict
Overall, the ZimaBoard 232 is a great option for anyone looking for a compact and powerful single board server for a variety of applications. Its performance is solid, and its feature set is impressive. However, its limited storage and memory might be a concern for users with demanding workloads. If you’re looking for a cost-effective and versatile server board, the ZimaBoard 232 is definitely worth considering.
