ZOTAC introduced its upcoming high performance ultra-compact form-factor (UCFF) gaming machine that promises to offer performance of a high-end gaming laptop. The Zbox Magnus EN92080V packs an Intel eight-core processor as well as NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 2080.

The ZOTAC Zbox Magnus EN92080V comes in a slim chassis that measures only 62.2 mm (2.45 inches) in height and features a volume of just 2.65 liters. The PC it is powered by Intel’s eight-core Core i9 processor (with a 45 W TDP) as well as NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 2080 graphics processor in its version for laptops. It is unclear whether the GPU is soldered down to the motherboard of the model EN9280V, or is located on an MXM card and thus can be upgraded eventually. It's worth noting that the Zbox Magnus EN92080V does not seem to have a Thunderbolt 3 port, but the UCFF gaming PC can house up to 32 GB of DDR4-2666 memory using two SO-DIMM slots, one 2.5-inch storage device, and an SSD in an M.2 form-factor, so at least memory and storage can be expanded.

Moving on to connectivity of the Zbox Magnus EN92080V, everything looks pretty standard for today’s gaming laptops. The machine features the Rivet Killer AX1650 Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5 adapter, two Ethernet ports (one GbE, one 2.5 GbE, also from Rivet), two USB 3.1 Type-C connectors, four USB 3.0 Type-A connectors, four display outputs (one DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0b, one USB-C), and SD card reader, and two 3.5-mm audio jacks for headphones and a microphone.

Historically, ZOTAC used GeForce MXM modules for its small form-factor Zbox Magnus systems, but improved energy efficiency of NVIDIA’s desktop GPUs and ZOTAC’s own cooling systems allowed the company to switch to regular graphics cards and enable its customers to upgrade them. With the Zbox Magnus EN92080V, ZOTAC uses a mobile CPU and a mobile GPU again, but this time to make a UCFF gaming PC that offers performance of a premium desktop computer.

ZOTAC will start sales of its Zbox Magnus EN92080V in the coming months. Pricing will be revealed when the product is launched.

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Sources: ZOTAC

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  • damianrobertjones - Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - link

    Is this for Creators? I need to know! If it's not for Creators then I'm not interested as I, myself, am a creator. /s

    I jest. I just assume that all marketing departments are jumping full steam into the 'Creator' buzz word. Damn nice machine and, being honest, Intel should hurry up with their latest and greatest nuc machines.
  • Dug - Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - link

    Nope. You can't use it. I can't find the word creator anywhere in the manual.
  • QChronoD - Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - link

    So assuming that this uses one of those giant DC bricks for power, then it wouldn't be that difficult to mount this and a reasonably heavy battery pack onto a backpack frame and make your own portable VR system. It might seem expensive compared to a regular desktop machine with a 20ft cable, but it's almost certainly going to be cheaper than custom designed portable VR systems.
  • milleron - Wednesday, January 22, 2020 - link

    Any flight sim devotees who would hazard a guess as to whether this Zbox will be up to running MS Flight Simulator 2020 in 4K?
  • PeachNCream - Thursday, January 23, 2020 - link

    I'm sure it'l be more than capable. Every version of FS I've touched (starting with 4.0) has run on garbage hardware. MS has historically set the bar fairly low to make Flight Sim as accessible as possible on a wide range of computers. I guess you could waIt around before making a purchase, but a top end GPU, even a mobile one, had better be able to push the new version around at 4K.

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