● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
Modder Converts ZimaCube 2 NAS into Gaming PC with External RTX 5060, Achieves Significant Performance Boost
Key points
- ZimaCube 2 NAS converted into a gaming PC.
- RTX 5060 GPU connected externally via riser cable.
- Dedicated 750W SFX PSU installed in drive bay.
- Achieved 828% FPS increase and CPU Time Spy record.
NAS Repurposed for Gaming
YouTube PC enthusiast TrashBench transformed a ZimaCube 2 NAS into a gaming PC. The ZimaCube 2, originally designed for storage, features an Intel Core i5-1235U CPU with integrated Iris Xe graphics, not intended for high-performance gaming.
Hardware Modifications
The modification involved utilizing the NAS's vacant PCIe 4.0 x16 slot to connect an RTX 5060 graphics card via a riser cable. Due to the card's size, it was mounted externally using a 3D-printed frame. A 750W SFX power supply was installed in the NAS's empty drive bay to power the GPU.
Performance Gains
Initial tests with the integrated GPU showed low frame rates, such as 18 FPS in Hitman 3 and 13 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p low settings. After installing the RTX 5060, Hitman 3's average frame rate increased to 167 FPS. This represents an 828% improvement in some benchmarks and resulted in a Time Spy world record for the Intel Core i5-1235U CPU.
Design Considerations
The ZimaCube's chassis design, with large cutouts, facilitated routing the riser cable. The magnetic front cover allowed the external power supply to be concealed within the drive bay, maintaining a somewhat tidy appearance despite the external GPU setup.
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Reporting from
A PC enthusiast modified a ZimaCube 2 NAS into a gaming PC by adding an external RTX 5060 graphics card and a dedicated power supply. This modification resulted in an 828% frame rate improvement in some tests and set a Time Spy world record for the integrated Intel Core i5-1235U CPU, demonstrating unconventional hardware repurposing.