ZimaBoard Original focuses on classic x86 single-board server capabilities for hobbyists, while ZimaBoard 2 offers upgraded processing power and expanded PCIe connectivity for more demanding homelab projects.

Yes! Starting from late May 2025, all ZimaBlade 7700 units are shipping with an upgraded Intel® E3950 processor, replacing the previous N3450.
The new CPU has a higher base frequency, which effectively improves the responsiveness of lightweight tasks such as file operations or background services in daily use scenarios.

If you're ordering a ZimaBlade 7700 now, you're getting the upgraded version by default—no need to select anything extra.

ZimaBlade does not come with pre-installed RAM. It supports up to16GBof low-voltage (1.35V) DDR3L RAM through a single SODIMM slot.

Yes, ZimaBlade is specifically designed to function as a personal cloud server or home lab. It is equipped with x86 architecture, making it ideal for running services like file sharing, media playback, and even encryption. With its built-in CasaOS, it's perfect for users looking for a lightweight, flexible home server setup.

ZimaBlade does not come with built-in support for NVMe storage or Wi-Fi to maintain its compact design. However, you can expand its functionality by adding external Wi-Fi dongles or using storage options via the SATA and USB interfaces.

No, ZimaBlade doesn’t come with a power adapter, but we offer bundles that include all the components you need, including the power adapter. You can easily select a bundle based on your requirements. We also provide power adapter for ZimaBlade separately, you can purchase directly.

ZimaBlade is designed to be a more compact and budget-friendly option for home labs and personal cloud setups. It focuses on accessibility while offering essential features for DIY projects. On the other hand, ZimaBoard is built for more advanced use cases, with a larger form factor, enhanced performance, and expanded interface options. Both cater to different needs within the Zima ecosystem, developed based on community feedback and user needs over the past two years.

ZimaCube does not come with hard drives included. You will need to purchase compatible drives separately to set up your system.

To ensure optimal performance and stability, we recommend selecting drives from our verified Compatibility List. This list includes drives that have been thoroughly tested to work seamlessly with ZimaCube. You can find the full list here: Compatibility List.

Before using a new hard drive, please refer to this list to confirm compatibility. Using a verified drive helps protect your data and ensures smooth operation. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our support team at support@icewhale.org.

The maximum GPU size supported by ZimaCube is 2.7” H x 6.6” L (dual-slot), with a maximum power consumption of 75W for a single slot. To ensure full compatibility with your setup, check out the complete ZimaCube GPU expansion guide.

Yes, ZimaCube supports Docker containers and allows for running virtual machines, making it a great choice for advanced home server setups. Powered by Intel processors like the N100 or Core i5-1235U, ZimaCube has enough processing power to handle virtualization tasks, and its ZimaOS interface provides a user-friendly way to manage Docker containers and deploy virtual machines.

Thanks to community feedback, we’ve upgraded ZimaCube’s cooling system for better performance under heavy tasks. The new setup enhances heat dissipation, reducing thermal throttling for more stable, reliable performance. We’ve also reduced noise levels—ZimaCube now runs quieter, and you can adjust fan speeds in the BIOS for your preferred balance of silence or cooling power.

Yes, ZimaCube supports a range of RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, and more. This flexibility makes it suitable for users who want to ensure data redundancy or maximize storage performance. You can easily set up RAID configurations through ZimaOS, which comes pre-installed.

Yes, ZimaCube is built to handle intensive workloads like 4K video streaming and high-speed data transfers. Equipped with Intel processors (up to 12th Gen i5 in the Pro version), it supports 4K transcoding and offers transfer speeds up to 1.1GB/s when paired with NVMe storage. It is perfect for users looking to run media servers, Plex, or other demanding applications.

ZimaCube stands out for its modular design and powerful features. It offers a unique 6+1 drive bay configuration, including six 3.5"/2.5" drive slots and four M.2 SSD slots. It also supports up to 10GbE networking and PCIe expansion for additional capabilities, making it a highly customizable and powerful NAS solution for personal cloud setups and home labs.

Join our active Discord Community- you'll find power users, friendly mods, and Zima’s dev team ready to help with setup, troubleshooting, or advanced builds.

Yes. ZimaBoard 2 can easily take over as your personal NAS or smart router. Many users run ZimaOS (for personal cloud, file sharing, and app hosting), or install systems like TrueNAS, OpenMediaVault, or pfSense for advanced networking and storage setups.

Absolutely. You get:

• 2× SATA ports
• 1× Open-ended PCIe x4 slot (for 10G NIC, GPU, capture card, etc.)
• Dual 2.5G Ethernet

Plenty of room to grow into your setup.

ZimaBoard 2 supports ZimaOS, TrueNAS, Debian, Ubuntu, Proxmox, pfSense, OPNsense, and more. It's an x86-64 board, so you're not limited like with ARM devices.

ZimaBoard 2 is perfect for building a personal NAS, media server (like Plex or Jellyfin), self-hosted services (Pi-hole, Home Assistant), mini firewall (OPNsense), or even a Proxmox homelab. It’s a full x86 SBC - more powerful and flexible than a Raspberry Pi.

Yes! Each package includes:

• ZimaBoard 2
• 12V/5A Power Adapter
• SATA Y-Cable (for dual SSD/HDD)
• Cooling Fan

Just plug in storage, try our ZimaOS (pre-installed) or install your favorite OS, and go.