Orange Pi 6 vs. Raspberry Pi: 45 TOPS AI, Dual LAN & SSD

Key Takeaway

– The Orange Pi 6 offers strong performance with up to 45 TOPS of AI performance (combining CPU, NPU, and GPU), though the dedicated NPU provides 28.8 TOPS.
– It is powered by the CIX CD8180 SoC with 12 cores and features LPDDR5 memory options of 8, 16, or 24 GB.
– Storage includes microSD support and up to two M.2 2280 SSDs (each with PCIe 4.0 x4), with potential for SATA via adapter.
– Connectivity features dual 2.5 Gbit/s Ethernet ports, two USB 3.0 Type-A, two USB 2.0, and two USB 3.0 Type-C ports with video output.
– Display output supports DisplayPort 1.4 (up to 4K at 120 Hz) and HDMI 2.0 (up to 60 Hz); includes MIPI CSI and a 40-pin GPIO header; pricing not yet announced.


Another Single-Board Computer

We have already talked about the Orange Pi 6 Plus. The Orange Pi 6 (without “Plus”) is another single-board computer that – at least on paper – offers strong performance and a robust feature set. According to the maker, it can deliver AI performance of up to 45 TOPS; however, this figure applies to the whole system, meaning it combines the CPU, NPU, and GPU. The dedicated NPU, optimised for AI workloads, contributes 28.8 TOPS. Reaching the full 45 TOPS is likely to reduce energy efficiency. As both the CPU and GPU would be heavily utilised, which may not be ideal in real-world scenarios.

Its Core System and Memory

The system is powered by the CIX CD8180 SoC with 12 processing cores. The LPDDR5 memory measures 8, 16, or 24 GB, dependant on the selected configuration. While microSD card support is included, users can also install up to two M.2 2280 SSDs, each connected via four PCIe 4.0 lanes. For NAS use cases, a SATA adapter card could be a possible option. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can be added via an M.2 (Key E) module.

Ports and Networking

Out of the box, wired networking is handled by two Ethernet ports, each supporting speeds of up to 2.5 Gbit/s. The board also offers two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and two fully featured USB 3.0 Type-C ports, which also support video output. DisplayPort 1.4 enables 4K output at up to 120 Hz, while HDMI 2.0 supports up to 60 Hz. MIPI CSI is supported, and power is supplied via USB Type-C.

GPIO and Other Features

A 40-pin GPIO header is included. Pricing and availability for the 90 × 90 mm board have not yet been announced. They havent said when it will be avalible. The Orange Pi 5 is available for purchase on Amazon.


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