IceWhale Unveils ZimaCube 2: A Compact, High-Performance NAS and Mini-Server
IceWhale has officially announced the ZimaCube 2, a compact yet powerful NAS and mini-server platform designed for demanding home and professional users. Now available for pre-order, the ZimaCube 2 lineup is built around 12th Gen Intel Alder Lake processors, offering a range of configurations to suit various workloads and storage needs.
Powerful Hardware in a Compact Form Factor
The ZimaCube 2 measures just 240 x 221 x 220 mm, making it compact enough for desktop use while still providing ample space for high-end components. The standard model features an Intel Core i3-1215U processor, while the Pro variant upgrades to an i5-1235U CPU. For users with intensive workloads such as virtualization, rendering, or machine learning, the Creator Pack adds GPU support with an NVIDIA RTX Pro 2000.
Flexible and Expansive Storage Options
Storage flexibility is a key highlight of the ZimaCube 2. The system supports up to six 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drives, compatible with both SATA III and NVMe standards. Additionally, up to four M.2 slots are available for further expansion, allowing total storage capacity to reach an impressive 164 TB, depending on the chosen configuration.
Robust Expansion and Connectivity
The ZimaCube 2 is engineered for expandability, featuring two PCIe slots: a full-size PCIe 4.0 x16 slot (with x4 lanes) for GPU upgrades, and a PCIe 3.0 x8 slot (with x2 lanes) suitable for network cards or additional NVMe storage. Connectivity is comprehensive, including dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, four USB 3.0 Type-A ports, and two 2.5 GbE Ethernet ports. Higher-end models offer optional 10 GbE networking for even faster data transfer. HDMI and DisplayPort outputs are also included for direct display connectivity.
Optimized Linux-Based Operating System
Running on ZimaOS Plus, a Linux-based operating system, the ZimaCube 2 is optimized for self-hosted services such as file storage, media servers, virtual machines, and containerized applications. This makes it a versatile solution for both personal and small business environments seeking reliable, high-performance network storage and server capabilities.
Configurations and Pricing
The base ZimaCube 2 model starts at $799 and comes equipped with 8 GB of DDR5 RAM, a 256 GB NVMe SSD, and an Intel Core i3-1215U processor. The Pro version, priced at $1,299, features the more powerful i5-1235U CPU and 16 GB of memory. For advanced users, the Creator Pack is available at $2,499, offering the i5 processor, 64 GB of DDR5 RAM, a 1 TB SSD, and an NVIDIA RTX Pro 2000 GPU for enhanced performance in demanding applications.
The base model is finished in silver, while the Pro version comes in black. Pre-orders are currently open on the IceWhale website, with shipping scheduled for later this year.