ZOTAC Mek Mini: A Small High Performance Gaming PC

ZOTAC this week launched its small form-factor (SFF) Mek Mini desktop computer, aimed at gaming in a small volume. The system will be initially available in only one configuration but is designed to deliver good performance for gamers who prefer compact PCs.

Known primarily for its graphics cards, SFF machines, and small form-factor desktop barebones, ZOTAC has been trying to enter the market of retail gaming desktops for several years now. Back in 2017, the company introduced its ‘one-size-fits-all’ Mek1 gaming desktop that combined upgradeability with relatively compact dimensions. The initiative was considered a success, which is why the company rolled-out two gaming PCs in 2018: the Mek Ultra based on Intel’s HEDT platform, and the Mek Mini powered by Intel’s mainstream gaming platform. The former was released back in October, whereas the launch of the latter was delayed for some reason. This week, the company unveiled the final specifications of its Mek Mini that will go on sale in the near future.

Measuring 260.8×136×258.8 mm, the ZOTAC Mek Mini is based on six-core Intel’s Core i7-8700 processor accompanied by NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card with 8 GB of GDDR5. The system is equipped with 16 GB of DDR4 memory, a 240 GB PCIe/NVMe M.2 SSD, as well as a 2 TB 2.5-inch hard drive. The PC is powered by two 230 W external power bricks.

On the connectivity side of things, the Mek Mini has Rivet Networks’ Killer Wireless-AC 1550 802.11ac Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.0 controller, two GbE ports (one controlled by the Killer E2500 chip), five USB 3.0 Type-A ports, one USB 3.0 Type-C connectors (one on the GPU), an SD card reader, and 3.5-mm audio jacks. Meanwhile, the ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 2070 has five display outputs (two DisplayPort 1.4, DVI-D, HDMI, USB-C) that can drive up to four monitors simultaneously.

Being aimed at gamers, ZOTAC’s Mek Mini has a very sophisticated cooling system to ensure longevity of components, consistent performance under high loads, and quiet operation. It also has addressable Spectra RGB lighting, supporting 13 pre-set lighting modes.

ZOTAC Mek Mini
GM2070C700B
GM2070C701B
CPU Intel Core i7-8700
6C/12T
3.2 GHz/4.6 GHz
12 MB LLC
65 W
PCH Intel
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
2304 shader cores
36 ray tracing cores
288 tensor cores
144 texture units
64 ROPs
256-bit memory interface
8 GB of GDDR6
Memory 16 GB of DDR4
Storage 240 GB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD
2 TB 2.5″ SATA HDD
Wi-Fi Killer Wireless-AC 1550 802.11ac Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.0 controller
Ethernet Two Gigabit Ethernet with RJ45 connectors
(one controlled by the Killer E2500)
Display Outputs 1 × DVI-D DL
2 × DisplayPort 1.4
1 × HDMI 2.0
1 × USB-C
Audio 3.5-mm audio connectors for speakers and microphone
USB 1 × USB 3.0 Type-A (Front)
1 × USB 3.0 Type-C (Front)
4 × USB 3.0 Type-A (Back)
Other I/O
RGB Lighting ZOTAC Spectra
Dimensions Height 205 mm | 8.07″
Depth 440 mm | 17.32″
Width 327 mm | 12.87″
PSU 2 × 230 W external power bricks
OS Windows 10 Home 64-bit

ZOTAC will offer two versions of the Mek Mini desktops. In some regions, the GM2070C700B machines will be shipped with a LED-lit mechanical gaming keyboard and an optical gaming mouse. In other regions the GM2070C701B system will ship without any controllers. In the US the system without the input devices and will cost $1599.99.

Source: ZOTAC