Zotac Zbox Plus ID45 Review

Zotac Zbox Plus ID45 Review

 

Temperatures

We ran the Zotac ID45 through a series of thermal tests. To find the maximum CPU temperature, we used OCCT and allowed it to run for 30 minutes. With HWmonitor open throughout this time, we were able to record the maximum temperature the CPU had reached during the period. We also had a thermometer to measure the ambient room temperature during this period, which we then subtracted from the maximum CPU temperature in order to find the ‘delta’ temperature; ie, the standardised reading to allow us to more accurately compare all of the data. We also ran ‘idle’ CPU tests to show the temperatures when the computer wasn’t under any load.

The GPU thermal tests were run in a similar fashion, only this time running Unigine Heaven on loop, again for the 30 minute period with HWmonitor open. Following the same stages with the CPU temperature tests from this point, we found a figure to allow us to more easily compare hardware. However, since the comparison processors were run with integrated graphics solutions, the temperatures received from the ID45 can’t really be compared to anything at this point in time, but they will act as a basis for future reviews, and also indicate what temperatures you would expect if you were running a game, or other graphically intensive program on this system.

Our final temperature test was a combined CPU and GPU intensive test. Although this is certainly not comparable to any of the processors we’re putting the ID45 up against, it will give you an overall maximum temperature you will ever be likely to see with this system. This test was decided on after opening the ID45 on the second page of this review to find the GT640, and i3 3227U both ran off the same single heatsink and fan. As OCCT only causes the CPU to create heat to put into the heatsink, and Unigine mainly causes the GPU to create heat (albeit the CPU will also heat up to an extent with this test), we thought it would be appropriate to push both to the limits at the same time to test just how well the single heatsink and fan could cope under maximum load.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From this, we can see clearly that the Zotac ID45 does a tremendous job of keeping the temperatures to a minimum, which is quite an accomplishment on Zotac’s part with such a small machine. I will also add that the fan inside is extremely quiet regardless of the load. If you’re playing a game, even with your speakers at very low volumes, the ID45 would be completely inaudible. These initial temperature tests do look give an incredibly promising start to the ID45.