Zimaboard for Self-Hosting: Review & Setup

What Is Zimaboard?

Zimaboard is an x86 single-board server that bridges the gap between a Raspberry Pi and a mini PC. It runs Intel Celeron processors, has dual SATA ports, dual Gigabit Ethernet, a PCIe slot, and ships with CasaOS pre-installed. Unlike ARM boards, Zimaboard runs any x86 Linux distribution, Windows, Proxmox, or TrueNAS without compatibility issues.

The standout feature is the combination of SATA storage, PCIe expansion, and dual NICs in a form factor barely larger than a Raspberry Pi — all drawing under 4W at idle.

Zimaboard Models

Spec	ZimaBoard 216	ZimaBoard 432	ZimaBoard 832
CPU	Intel Celeron N3350 (2C/2T, 2.4 GHz)	Intel Celeron N3450 (4C/4T, 2.2 GHz)	Intel Celeron N3450 (4C/4T, 2.2 GHz)
RAM	2 GB LPDDR4	4 GB LPDDR4	8 GB LPDDR4
eMMC storage	16 GB	32 GB	32 GB
SATA ports	2x SATA 6 Gb/s	2x SATA 6 Gb/s	2x SATA 6 Gb/s
Network	2x Gigabit Ethernet	2x Gigabit Ethernet	2x Gigabit Ethernet
USB	2x USB 3.0	2x USB 3.0	2x USB 3.0
PCIe	1x PCIe 2.0 x4	1x PCIe 2.0 x4	1x PCIe 2.0 x4
Display	Mini-DisplayPort 1.2 (4K@60Hz)	Mini-DisplayPort 1.2	Mini-DisplayPort 1.2
Cooling	Fanless (passive)	Fanless (passive)	Fanless (passive)
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, AES-NI	VT-x, VT-d, AES-NI	VT-x, VT-d, AES-NI
Price	~$100	~$160	~$200

The ZimaBoard 2 (newer revision) upgrades to an Intel N150 quad-core, up to 16GB DDR5, and dual 2.5GbE — a significant improvement.

Which model to buy:

216 ($100): Pi-hole, DNS server, or single lightweight service. The 2GB RAM is tight for anything more.
432 ($160): Sweet spot for 3-5 Docker containers. Quad-core handles multiple services without throttling.
832 ($200): Best for self-hosting. 8GB RAM supports 8-12 containers, Proxmox with a couple of VMs, or a media server with moderate demands.

ZimaCube (NAS Version)

ZimaCube is Zimaboard’s evolution into a full NAS enclosure:

Spec	ZimaCube	ZimaCube Pro
CPU	Intel N100 (4C/4T)	Intel Core i5-1235U (10C/12T)
RAM	8 GB	16 GB
Drive bays	6x 3.5”/2.5”	6x 3.5”/2.5”
M.2 slots	4x NVMe	4x NVMe
Network	2.5GbE	10GbE
Thunderbolt	No	Thunderbolt 4
Price	~$519	~$1,099

ZimaCube is compelling for people who want a pre-built NAS with full Docker support. At $519 for the standard model, it’s cheaper than comparable Synology or QNAP units while offering more compute flexibility. The Pro model with a 10C/12T i5 is overkill for most but can double as a serious Docker host.

CasaOS

CasaOS is the open-source operating system that ships on every Zimaboard and ZimaCube. It’s a Docker management layer that runs on top of Debian/Ubuntu.

What CasaOS does well:

Web-based dashboard for managing Docker containers
One-click app store with 50+ self-hosted apps (Jellyfin, Nextcloud, Vaultwarden, Pi-hole, etc.)
Docker Compose import — paste any Compose file and deploy
File manager with SMB/SAMBA sharing built in
Clean, modern UI that beginners can navigate without touching the terminal

What CasaOS doesn’t do:

No RAID management (use mdadm, ZFS, or Btrfs manually if needed)
Not a replacement for Proxmox or TrueNAS if you need advanced virtualization or storage features
Documentation is improving but still has gaps

You don’t have to use CasaOS. Zimaboard is a standard x86 computer. Wipe CasaOS and install Proxmox, TrueNAS, Ubuntu Server, Debian, or any other OS. Many homelab users install CasaOS on other hardware (Raspberry Pi, mini PCs) too — it’s not Zimaboard-exclusive.

Setup Guide

Initial Setup

Unbox and connect. Plug in Ethernet (either port), connect power (12V DC adapter included). No display required — CasaOS is headless by default.

Find the IP. Check your router’s DHCP lease table or use:

# From another machine on your network
nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

Access the web UI. Open http://<zimaboard-ip> in your browser. CasaOS greets you with a setup wizard. Create your account.

Update CasaOS.

ssh root@<zimaboard-ip>
# Default password: casaos (change immediately)
curl -fsSL https://get.casaos.io | sudo bash

Adding Storage

Connect SATA drives to the two onboard SATA ports. CasaOS detects them automatically in the Files app. For a proper NAS setup:

# SSH into the Zimaboard
# Format and mount drives
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda1
sudo mkdir -p /mnt/data
sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/data

# Add to fstab for persistence
echo '/dev/sda1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab

For redundancy, configure a RAID 1 mirror across both SATA drives:

sudo apt install mdadm
sudo mdadm --create /dev/md0 --level=1 --raid-devices=2 /dev/sda1 /dev/sdb1
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/md0
sudo mkdir -p /mnt/data
sudo mount /dev/md0 /mnt/data

Installing Docker Apps

CasaOS includes a Docker app store. Click the ”+” icon on the dashboard, browse apps, and install with one click.

For apps not in the store, use Docker Compose directly:

# SSH into the Zimaboard
cd /opt
mkdir my-app && cd my-app
nano docker-compose.yml
# Paste your Docker Compose config
docker compose up -d

CasaOS will detect running containers and display them on the dashboard.

PCIe Expansion

The PCIe 2.0 x4 slot accepts:

2.5GbE or 10GbE NIC — upgrade from onboard 1GbE
NVMe adapter — add M.2 NVMe storage
SATA expansion card — add more SATA ports
Coral TPU — hardware ML acceleration for Frigate camera detection

Install the card, boot, and the Linux kernel typically detects it automatically. No driver installation needed for most NICs and storage controllers.

Power Consumption

Zimaboard’s efficiency is its killer feature for 24/7 operation:

State	Power Draw	Annual Cost ($0.12/kWh)
Idle (no drives)	3.4-3.9W	~$4-5
Idle + 1 HDD	8-10W	~$8-11
Idle + 2 HDDs	12-15W	~$13-16
Moderate load (5 containers)	8-12W	~$8-13
Full CPU load	15-20W	~$16-21

Compare this to a mini PC at 8-15W idle or a Synology NAS at 15-30W idle. Zimaboard is among the most power-efficient x86 self-hosting platforms available.

What Can You Run?

ZimaBoard 832 (8GB RAM) — Realistic Workload

Simultaneously:

Pi-hole or AdGuard Home — DNS ad blocking
Nextcloud — file sync for 1-2 users
Vaultwarden — password manager
Uptime Kuma — monitoring
FreshRSS — RSS reader
Homepage — dashboard
2-3 additional lightweight containers

What the 832 can’t handle well:

Plex/Jellyfin transcoding (N3450 lacks meaningful QuickSync performance)
Immich photo indexing (ML inference needs more CPU)
More than 10-12 containers (RAM ceiling)

ZimaBoard 432 (4GB RAM)

Pi-hole + 2-3 light containers
OPNsense or pfSense firewall (dual NICs make this a natural fit)
Single self-hosted service (Nextcloud OR Jellyfin direct-play only)

ZimaBoard 216 (2GB RAM)

Pi-hole / AdGuard Home only
Basic router/firewall
Not recommended for Docker workloads

Zimaboard vs Raspberry Pi

Dimension	Zimaboard 832	Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB)
Architecture	x86 (Intel)	ARM (Broadcom)
CPU	Celeron N3450 (4C/4T)	Cortex-A76 (4C/4T)
RAM	8GB LPDDR4	8GB LPDDR4X
Storage	32GB eMMC + 2x SATA	microSD + USB
Network	2x GbE	1x GbE
PCIe	1x PCIe 2.0 x4	1x PCIe 2.0 x1
Power (idle)	~4W	~5W
Docker compat	Full (x86)	Limited (ARM images)
Price	~$200	~$80
Cooling	Fanless	Active (fan hat needed)

Choose Zimaboard if: You need x86 compatibility, SATA drives, dual NICs, or PCIe expansion. Choose Raspberry Pi if: Budget is tight, you need GPIO pins, or the ARM ecosystem covers your apps.

Zimaboard vs Mini PC

A $200 Zimaboard 832 competes with $200-250 N100 mini PCs:

Dimension	Zimaboard 832	N100 Mini PC
CPU perf	N3450 (slower)	N100 (2x faster)
RAM	8GB (fixed)	8-16GB (expandable)
Storage	32GB eMMC + 2x SATA	256-512GB NVMe + SATA
Network	2x GbE	1-2x 2.5GbE
PCIe	1x PCIe 2.0 x4	Usually none exposed
Power (idle)	~4W	~8W
Form factor	Bare board	Enclosed mini desktop
Price	~$200	~$200-250

The N100 mini PC is faster and more versatile. The Zimaboard wins on power efficiency, built-in SATA, and PCIe expansion. If raw performance matters, get the mini PC. If you want a compact, ultra-efficient NAS/Docker host with expansion options, the Zimaboard is unique.

Who Should Buy a Zimaboard

Buy a Zimaboard if:

You want a low-power, silent, x86 Docker host
You need built-in SATA for 1-2 hard drives without USB adapters
You want PCIe expansion (NIC upgrade, Coral TPU, NVMe)
You’re building a compact, power-efficient homelab appliance
The $100-200 price range fits your budget

Skip Zimaboard if:

You need more than 8GB RAM
Plex/Jellyfin transcoding is a priority (get an N100 or N305 mini PC)
You need 4+ drive bays (get a NAS or ZimaCube)
You want maximum compute per dollar (mini PCs win)

FAQ

Can I install Proxmox on a Zimaboard?

Yes. Zimaboard supports VT-x and VT-d. Flash Proxmox to a USB drive, boot from it, and install. The 832 with 8GB RAM can run 2-3 lightweight VMs. The 432 with 4GB is too constrained for meaningful virtualization.

Is CasaOS good?

For beginners, CasaOS is the easiest way to get into self-hosting. The web UI and app store make Docker accessible without CLI knowledge. Power users will likely outgrow it and switch to Portainer, Dockge, or direct Docker Compose. CasaOS is open-source and can be uninstalled without affecting your containers.

How does Zimaboard compare to ZimaCube?

Zimaboard is a bare board — add your own case, drives, and power supply. ZimaCube is a complete NAS enclosure with 6 drive bays, M.2 slots, and better CPUs. ZimaCube starts at $519. Choose Zimaboard for a single-purpose, ultra-compact setup. Choose ZimaCube for a multi-drive NAS.

Does Zimaboard support hardware video transcoding?

The N3450 has Intel HD Graphics 500 with basic QuickSync support (H.264, H.265 decode). It can handle a single 1080p transcode but struggles with 4K. For serious media serving, use a mini PC with N100/N305.

What case should I use for a Zimaboard?

Zimaboard sells an official metal case. Third-party 3D-printed cases are available on Thingiverse and Printables. Some users mount the bare board directly in a server rack with standoffs.