Discover the $60 Intel-Based SBC That’s Cheaper & Faster than a Raspberry Pi 5

Are you passionate about tinkering with single-board computers (SBCs) but need more power than most ARM-based options offer? The new Radxa X4 might be just what you’re looking for.

Superior Performance at a Competitive Price

Powered by an Intel N100 CPU with Intel UHD graphics, the Radxa X4 outperforms the Raspberry Pi 5 in both CPU and GPU tasks, all while maintaining a similar price point. Although it consumes more power and runs hotter than ARM-based devices, its performance gains are significant.

Versatile Memory Options

The Radxa X4 is available in 4 GB and 8 GB versions, with a 16 GB model in the pipeline. The Intel N100 is a quad-core chip with 4 threads, a max turbo frequency of 3.40 GHz, 6 MB Intel Smart Cache, and a TDP of 6W. The integrated Intel UHD graphics supports DirectX 12.1, OpenGL 4.6, OpenCL 3.0, Intel Quick Sync, and h.264/5 & AV1 decoding.

Comparable to Budget Mini PCs

While the N100 is on the lower end of the computing power scale, it’s used in budget mini PCs from brands like MinisForum, Trigkey, and Geekom. Despite its modest specs, the Radxa X4 can easily function as a regular PC, offering decent performance at a lower cost.

Extensive Connectivity and Expansion Options

The Radxa X4 features a 40-pin GPIO header connected to a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller, largely compatible with the Pi’s GPIO header. It supports:

Up to 2x SPI
Up to 2x UART
Up to 2x I2C
Up to 16x PWM
Up to 8x Programmable IO
1x 5V DC power in
2x 3.3V power pin

Enhanced Networking Capabilities

The Radxa X4’s networking abilities surpass those of the Raspberry Pi 5. It includes dual micro-HDMI 2.0 ports, 3x USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB 2.0 port, ethernet, on-board WiFi and Bluetooth, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack. It also offers 2.5 Gb ethernet, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 (8 GB model), or WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 (4 GB model), and an M.2 PCIe-3 slot for a 2230 NVMe SSD.

Operating System Compatibility

Out-of-the-box, the Radxa X4 runs nothing, but it supports a wide range of operating systems. Unlike ARM-based SBCs that require bespoke OS images, the Intel-based Radxa X4 can run anything that works on an x86 laptop or PC, including Windows 10, 11, and most Linux distributions like Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

Pricing and Availability

The Radxa X4 is priced as follows:

$60 – 4 GB (no eMMC)
$69 – 4 GB + 32 GB eMMC
$80 – 8 GB (no eMMC)
$89 – 8 GB + 64 GB eMMC

While the initial batch sold out quickly, pre-orders for a second batch are available, expected to arrive mid-August.

Conclusion

If you’re in the market for an Intel-based SBC, the Radxa X4 is worth considering. Its powerful performance, extensive connectivity options, and competitive pricing make it a compelling alternative to the Raspberry Pi 5. For more details, visit the official Radxa website.