Tag: Raspberry Pi 5

  • Prionman 5-Max Turns Raspberry Pi 5 into Dual NVMe Tower PC

    Key Takeaways

    1. Dual M.2 NVMe SSD Support: The Pironman 5-Max can support dual NVMe SSDs with RAID 0/1, enabling a high-speed NAS setup.

    2. Enhanced Cooling System: It includes a strong tower cooler with one PWM fan and two RGB fans, optimized for better airflow and low noise levels.

    3. Built-in OLED Display: The case features a 0.96-inch OLED screen for real-time system information, with an auto-sleep function and customizable options.

    4. Improved Connectivity: Maintains the same port setup as the Raspberry Pi 5, with additional features like an external GPIO extender and RTC battery support.

    5. Pre-order Availability: The Pironman 5-Max is available for pre-order at $71.24, with options to customize packages with various components.

    The Pironman 5 was released last year as a compact tower-like case for the Raspberry Pi 5. It made the single-board computer (SBC) much more versatile by including an NVMe PiP expansion board, a cooling system with a PWM fan, and a tiny OLED display. Now, SunFounder has unveiled the enhanced version of this case, called the Pironman 5-Max.

    Enhanced Features

    One of the significant upgrades is the capability to support dual M.2 NVMe SSDs with RAID 0/1, featuring a 2 TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus, priced at $139.99 on Amazon. SunFounder mentions that this enhancement will enable users to create a “high-speed” NAS setup using the Raspberry Pi 5. Additionally, the Pironman 5-Max introduces support for the Hailo-8L AI Kit, which should provide a boost in performance for AI-related tasks.

    Improved Cooling

    It seems that SunFounder has also made improvements to the cooling system. The Pironman 5-Max reportedly includes a “strong” tower cooler, which comes with one PWM fan and two RGB fans. The design of the panel has been optimized for better airflow, and the company asserts that noise levels will remain low, even when the SBC is under heavy loads.

    Display and Connectivity

    The Pironman 5-Max features a built-in 0.96-inch OLED screen. This display can provide real-time system information, including temperature, memory, CPU usage, and disk status. SunFounder emphasizes that this screen has an auto-sleep function and customizable options.

    In terms of connectivity, the Pironman 5-Max maintains the same port setup as the standard version of the Raspberry Pi 5 case. It includes the following:

    Other important features of the Pironman 5-Max consist of an external GPIO extender, support for an RTC battery, and a layout designed for “clean” cable management. This new Raspberry Pi 5 case is currently open for pre-order, with the chassis priced at $71.24 on the official website. Customers can customize their package by adding SSDs, a SBC, a camera module, a power supply, and an AI kit.

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  • Walnut Pi 2B: PCIe & NPU Raspberry Pi Alternative for AI Workloads

    Walnut Pi 2B: PCIe & NPU Raspberry Pi Alternative for AI Workloads

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Raspberry Pi 5 is a popular choice among single-board computer (SBC) enthusiasts, starting at $68.
    2. The Walnut Pi 2B is a new alternative to the Raspberry Pi, featuring an Allwinner T527 SoC with eight Cortex-A55 cores and an NPU for AI tasks.
    3. The Walnut Pi 2B offers options for 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB of built-in memory and comes with 32GB of eMMC storage, expandable via microSD.
    4. Connectivity features include USB 3.0, three USB 2.0 ports, microHDMI 2.0a (4K 60Hz), Gigabit Ethernet, and WiFi 6 support.
    5. The Walnut Pi 2B can be powered through PoE or USB Type-C and was available for around $50 on AliExpress.

    SBC enthusiasts have a variety of products to pick from these days, yet the Raspberry Pi 5 (starting at $68 on Amazon) remains a standout option in this field. On the other hand, the Walnut Pi 2B has emerged as a fresh alternative to the Raspberry Pi.

    Specifications Overview

    This device measures about 3.3 x 2.2 inches and runs on an Allwinner T527 SoC. The chipset includes eight Cortex-A55 cores along with a neural processing unit (NPU) that offers 2 TOPs of AI performance. Depending on the model chosen, the built-in memory can be 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB. Currently, the Walnut Pi 2B comes with only 32GB of eMMC storage, but it does allow for microSD card expansion. There is also one PCIe 2.1 lane, enabling the connection of an NVMe SSD.

    Connectivity Options

    This compact computer also features a 40-pin color-coded header. It includes USB 3.0 and three USB 2.0 ports for attaching external devices or accessories. In addition, the Walnut Pi 2B has a microHDMI 2.0a port that supports a 4K 60Hz output.

    For additional functionality, MIPI DSI and MIPI CSI interfaces are available, allowing for the connection of a camera or display. The single-board computer also supports Gigabit Ethernet and WiFi 6 connectivity. Powering the Walnut Pi 2B can be done through PoE or USB Type-C. It was briefly available on AliExpress for around $50.

    Conclusion

    With its impressive specifications and affordability, the Walnut Pi 2B presents a compelling option for anyone in search of a single-board computer alternative to the Raspberry Pi.

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    Walnut Pi 2B: PCIe & NPU Raspberry Pi Alternative for AI Workloads

     

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  • Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT for Raspberry Pi with NVMe SSD Support

    Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT for Raspberry Pi with NVMe SSD Support

    Key Takeaways

    1. Radxa offers single-board computers (SBCs) to compete with Raspberry Pi, with products like the Rock 5B Plus and Rock 5T priced at $226.99.
    2. The new Dual 2.5G Router HAT enhances Raspberry Pi 5 functionality by adding two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports using the Realtek RTL8125B controller.
    3. The HAT features an M Key slot for installing M.2 2280 SSDs, which can operate at speeds up to PCIe 3.0 x1.
    4. The product includes an IPEX to FPC adapter, screws, standoffs, and a heatsink for heat management.
    5. The Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT is available for approximately $40 on AliExpress and Arace Tech.

    Radxa makes several single-board computers (SBCs) aiming to challenge the more widely used Raspberry Pi ecosystem. The company sometimes takes inspiration from the naming of Raspberry Pi devices, like with the Rock 5B Plus and the Rock 5T, which is currently priced at $226.99 on Amazon.

    New Expansion Board

    Recently, Radxa introduced an add-on board that enhances the functionality of the Raspberry Pi 5. This product, named the Dual 2.5G Router HAT, adds two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports to the Raspberry Pi 5 through the SBC’s 40-pin GPIO header. Notably, these ports use the Realtek RTL8125B controller, unlike alternatives from MediaTek or Intel.

    Added Features

    The new product also includes an M Key slot, allowing users to install an M.2 2280 SSD. Radxa claims that these SSDs can operate at speeds of up to PCIe 3.0 x1 via an IPEX connector. However, there is a bit of confusion since the company markets the HAT as using FPC, yet it includes an IPEX to FPC adapter in the package. The HAT comes with screws, standoffs, and a heatsink to help manage heat and prevent throttling.

    Currently, you can buy the Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT on AliExpress for roughly $40. You can also find it at Arace Tech for a similar price. For more information, check out Radxa’s wiki.

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    Radxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT for Raspberry Pi with NVMe SSD SupportRadxa Dual 2.5G Router HAT for Raspberry Pi with NVMe SSD Support
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  • New PCIe HAT for Raspberry Pi 5 with Dual M.2 Slots

    New PCIe HAT for Raspberry Pi 5 with Dual M.2 Slots

    Seeed Studio has recently launched an exciting new expansion board tailored for the Raspberry Pi. Specifically, this PCIe 3.0 switch to dual M.2 HAT is designed exclusively for the Raspberry Pi 5 because of its special PCIe connector, which is crucial for high-performance SSDs and other expansion cards.

    Features and Compatibility

    The board is aptly named, as it comes with two M.2 module slots and supports various sizes including 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280. While the primary purpose of these slots is to enhance SSD storage, they can also be utilized for AI accelerators like the Hailo-8 or Hailo-8L, boosting machine learning functions.

    Performance Specs

    Equipped with the ASM2806 chip, this Raspberry Pi 5 HAT is capable of supporting PCIe 3.0, achieving sequential read speeds of up to 822 MB/s, and writing speeds reaching 716 MB/s. Though these numbers are quite impressive, the PCIe interface of the single-board computer can become a limiting factor when paired with a modern high-performance SSD, like the Crucial P3. Nonetheless, the expansion board does enable users to boot smoothly from an SSD.

    Design and Accessibility

    In contrast to many Raspberry Pi accessories, Seeed Studio’s expansion board is not a standard HAT, as it connects to the underside of the Raspberry Pi 5. This unique setup allows the GPIO pins on the top of the SBC to remain accessible. This design also means that users can stack another expansion board on top, utilizing the flexible GPIO interface. However, this arrangement does not work with the official Raspberry Pi case due to the increased height. To remedy this, Seeed Studio has provided 3D printing plans for a custom enclosure.

    The new HAT is currently up for grabs at a price of $45 USD. The add-on board is shipped directly from China, so those tinkering with SBCs may need to be a bit patient.

    Source:
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    New PCIe HAT for Raspberry Pi 5 with Dual M.2 Slots

     

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  • Raspberry Pi 5 Runs Doom Eternal in 4K with AMD GPU

    Raspberry Pi 5 Runs Doom Eternal in 4K with AMD GPU

    Raspberry has unveiled the Pi 5, equipped with the Broadcom BCM2712 SoC, which features a quad-core ARM CPU alongside the VideoCore VII GPU. By itself, this single-board computer (SBC) does a decent job of emulating classic games, but it struggles to run contemporary AAA titles at playable frame rates.

    Improved Performance with a GPU

    The situation improves significantly when the Raspberry Pi 5 is used with a good discrete GPU, like the Radeon RX 6700 XT. Jeff Geerling recently demonstrated that, in this setup, the SBC can handle Doom Eternal, a AAA game from 2020, at 4K resolution. While the frame rates fluctuated quite a bit, reducing the resolution to 1080p allowed the setup to achieve over 30 FPS.

    CPU Limitations

    According to Geerling, even at the 4K resolution, the GPU was hardly being pushed, whereas the CPU was maxed out. This indicates that the CPU is the limiting factor, suggesting that the Raspberry Pi 5 could have provided better gaming performance if the SoC were slightly more robust.

    Capable of Older Titles

    On a brighter note, the SBC managed to run older games like Doom 3 from 2004 and SuperTuxKart from 2007 at 4K with 60 FPS, thanks to the support for RX 6000 and RX 7000 GPU drivers that the Raspberry Pi 5 (starter kit available on Amazon) now has.

    In addition to gaming, the new Radeon drivers offer hardware video transcoding capabilities. However, support for LLM acceleration is still absent, and Geerling mentions that AMD ROCm won’t be available for ARM systems in the near future. He has also tested other titles, including Forza Horizon 4, Crysis Remastered, and Red Dead Redemption 2. The Pi fan even experimented with the Radeon Pro W7700. You can view the results in the video linked below.

    Source: Link

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  • New Raspberry Pi Accessories Enhance Versatility of SBCs

    New Raspberry Pi Accessories Enhance Versatility of SBCs

    The Raspberry Pi 5, priced at $69.99 for the 4 GB version on Amazon, is the latest single-board computer from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Currently, the Foundation hasn’t rolled out any more advanced options. However, they are actively enhancing the capabilities of existing models through new accessories.

    New Accessories Available

    One significant addition is the Raspberry Pi SSD Kit, which includes M.2 2230 SSDs along with a matching HAT. It is still possible to find the HAT sold separately at various retailers. However, many stores offer the complete kit with 256 GB and 512 GB drives, priced around $40 and $55, respectively. The two SSDs provide differing read and write speed capabilities:

    • 256GB NVMe
    • 512GB NVMe

    Introducing the USB Hub

    Additionally, the Foundation has introduced the Raspberry Pi USB Hub. This affordable accessory, costing $14.25 in the US, features four USB Type-A ports that all meet the USB 3.0 standard. Each port is capable of delivering up to 5 Gbps peak transfer speeds. Furthermore, the hub supports an optional USB Type-C power input, which can handle 5V at 3A.

    Currently, the Pi Foundation plans to keep the Raspberry Pi USB Hub available until at least January 2030. In contrast, the Raspberry Pi SSD Kit is expected to be around for another two years. For further details, you can check the Pi Foundation’s store listings linked below.

    Raspberry Pi Foundation via OMG Ubuntu.

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  • Raspberry Pi OS 2024-10-22 Launches with Default Wayland Support

    Raspberry Pi OS 2024-10-22 Launches with Default Wayland Support

    Although it may not be apparent, the transition from the old-school X Window system—originating from an MIT project back in 1984, with its latest version, 11, released in September 1987—to Wayland, which is 16 years old and recently updated at the end of May, marks a significant upgrade for any Linux and Unix-like operating system. In this instance, Raspberry Pi OS is the software receiving this enhancement. The newest version is 2024-10-22, and all relevant information can be found in Simon Long’s detailed news update published on October 28th, linked in the Source(s) section.

    Improvements in Performance and Touchscreen Support

    Along with the considerable performance boost provided by Wayland—now the default across all models using Raspberry Pi Desktop—this update also enhances touchscreen functionality. This means that the virtual keyboard is now automatically activated and hidden when necessary, plus it supports right-click and double-click actions. The latest version of the virtual keyboard included in this update is called Squeekboard, which adds to the user experience.

    New Remote Access Feature

    Raspberry Pi Connect enables users to manage their Raspberry Pi from any computer, provided both devices are connected to the internet. This update incorporates the remote access tool directly into the desktop environment. It comes pre-installed and can be easily found on the taskbar, but users have the option to uninstall it if it is not required.

    Additional Changes and Upgrades

    There are also several minor yet important updates, including a redesigned panel application for the top-screen taskbar and a new raindrop screen configuration tool, which replaces the previous arandr tool.

    Raspberry Pi OS images can be found on the official page, and those who already have an earlier version can simply upgrade using the commands sudo apt update and sudo apt full-upgrade, as is customary.

    The Raspberry Pi 5 starter kit Pro by CanaKit, which includes 128 GB of storage, 8 GB of RAM, and a cooling case, is currently available on Amazon for $159.99.

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  • Rockchip RK3688: Future Gaming Handhelds & SBCs with ARMv9.3 CPU

    Rockchip RK3688: Future Gaming Handhelds & SBCs with ARMv9.3 CPU

    Rockchip chipsets are the backbone for many competitors of the Raspberry Pi 5, which is currently priced at $58.39 on Amazon. These rivals include brands like Banana Pi, FriendlyELEC, Orange Pi, and Radxa. Additionally, some of the less powerful chipsets from Rockchip can be found in budget-friendly gaming handhelds, such as the ZPG GKD Bubble.

    New Chipset Announcement

    Recently, Rockchip has shared some exciting news about upcoming single-board computers (SBCs) and possibly new budget gaming handhelds by introducing a new chipset in their growing lineup. The RK3688 has been unveiled, and it’s said to offer impressive AI acceleration, boasting an NPU that delivers 16 TOPS of performance. In addition to this, the RK3688 includes an ARM Mali-G310 GPU, similar to those found in smartphone chipsets like the Dimensity 7030.

    Features of RK3688

    Furthermore, Rockchip has confirmed that the RK3688 will come with ARMv9.3 CPU cores. Although the specific type of CPU cores used in the RK3688 has not been revealed yet, CNX Software speculates they might be the Cortex-A730 or Cortex-A735. This new chipset also supports UFS 4.0 storage, alongside LPDDR4, LPDDR4x, and LPDDR5 RAM. It appears that the Radxa ROCK 6 could be among the first devices to utilize the Rockchip RK3688; however, details about the launch of this SBC and other devices using the RK3688 are still unclear at the moment.

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