How I successfully installed Windows 11 on the ZimaCube Pro - and how I like it!

Insight & Feedback
1

Hio guys, for the lazy amongst you - just see my ZimaCube Pro review here: https://youtu.be/Y0A9HSrT5sA
(more links are also in my videos description - here I could only post 2 links)

In short: I love it! But see my review to understand why I moved to Windows 11 on this machine and see the benefits of doing so!

:fire:Cooling still bad (even after revision of their first CPU cooler)
loud and inefficient, but replace a few fans and this one downside is gone!
I designed a custom Back Cover for a super silent 14cm FAN!

:white_check_mark:SOFTWARE - ZimaOS FINDINGS:

  • Old hdds with data on it can be easily enabled! (but some they are sometimes READ ONLY)
  • Attached ext. USB drives can be shared (no change of share names…) and they are READ and WRITE!
  • Software UPDATE function via WebUI super easy (there’s also the manual USB stick method which is OK, but involves some additional steps)
  • HDDs might not always go to sleep mode - which can cost 5-10W per HDD!
  • very easy UI, complex tasks (like setup RAID, shares…) are made very user friendly
  • limited functionality

Alternatives: many options (if you like to tinker)
TrueNas Scale (free, mighty, many options, also confusing)
Proxmox, Unraid,…
OR… Windows11 / Windows server…
which is what I chose in the end

:white_check_mark:POWER CONSUMPTION / PERFORMANCE:
Geekbench 6:
Single-Core: 2147 (2051 in Energy saver mode)
Multi-Core: 7704 (7440 ="=)

my current QNAP TS431p takes 12w idle, and 42w with 4x 3.5" HDDs active
ZimaCube with ZimaOS: no hdds 28.7w
7w standby (If Nas is off! comes from WOL NIC?)
ZimaCube with Win11 as NAS ~ 38w idle power (so it has a bit more overhead, but way more features and convenience)

:bulb: TIP: Jumper power on setting on mb!

:white_check_mark: :bulb:TrueNAS guide for ZIMACUBE Pro

  • Download TrueNAS Scale ISO!
    (first I tried TrueNAS core - but it’s outdated)
  • flash it onto an USB stick using RUFUS
  • put the Stick into your Nas and boot from it
  • (you might have to enter BIOS - with BACKSP. or DEL to setup the BOOT order)

:white_check_mark:Windows 11 as NAS
Ghost Spectre Windows 11 24H2 (Use compact version not superlite)

make Windows network discoverable!
Use stream deck as status display
setup auto login (for Stream deck monitoring after a reboot)

Drivers for Windows: 10gbe port the driver I am using is marvel AQtion 10Gbit

Greets, Mario / RCschim from Austria, merry Xmas already!

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