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Embedded Computers

Banana Pi BPI-R3: Everything you need to know

By androidpimpAugust 17, 2024Updated:June 22, 202523 Comments33 Mins Read
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Table of contents
  1. Banana Pi BPI-R3 board
  2. Banana Pi BPI-R3
  3. Specifications
  4. Key Features
  5. Real-World Applications
  6. Improved Cooling
  7. A Quick Product Demo
  8. Banana Pi BPI-R3 Board Layout
  9. Hardware
    1. Storage Interfaces
    2. Connectivity
  10. Wi-Fi 6 Ready
    1. Misc & Other Interfaces
    2. Part 1: Package Contents, Unboxing, and Hardware
    3. Package Contents:
  11. Unboxing All Items
    1. The Banana Pi R3 Board
    2. Unboxing the Banana Pi R3 Case – 1 of 2
    3. Unboxing the Banana Pi R3 Case – 2 of 2
    4. Power Supply
    5. Antennas
  12. Part 2: Case Design
    1. Great Design but not flawless
  13. Part 3: Operation
    1. Downloading OpenWrt image file
  14. Flashing and Booting From eMMC
  15. Bootstrap switch
  16. Flashing OS files via USB Serial Module
    1. How to Install an M.2 NVMe SSD
    2. Installing an SSD Card With a Heatsink
    3. NVMe Performance Testing
    4. (Read/Write) SSD Performance Test
  17. Part 4: Installing a Fan-Cooled Heat Sink
    1. FAN Wiring Configurations (Options)
    2. Configuration Option No. 1 (Passive Cooling)
    3. Cooled FAN Heatsink
    4. Preparing Conductive Silicone Thermal Pad
    5. Configuration Option No. 2
    6. Connecting 4 Pins Cooled Heatsink wires w/ the XH2.54 4 PIN wires
    7. Final Step (Powering/Operating the FAN)
    8. How to Automatically load the script
    9. Configuration Option No. 3
    10. Connecting 4 Pins Cooled Heatsink wires w/ the VH3.96-2PIN wires
    11. Configuration Option No. 3 (With Support for PWM)
  18. Configuration Option No. 4 (Without PWM Support)
    1. Adjusting these trip points
    2. Controlling the fan rotation speeds:
  19. Part 5: Checking Temperatures
    1. Testing another Cooling Configuration.
  20. Part 6: WiFi Antennas Installation (Best Practices)
    1. Antennas Arrangement & Installation
    2. Installation tips!
  21. Installing a Wi-Fi 6E Expansion Network Card
  22. Part 7: Adding a 2.5G Network Card (Optional Configuration)
  23. Part 8: Setting up a NAS Server (Optional Configuration)
    1. How to set up a NAS device (Optional Configuration, DIY Style)
  24. Part 9: Connectivity
    1. Network Throughput Testing using iPerf
    2. What WIFI throughput speeds should you expect?
    3. iPerf Test: 2.5 SFP RJ45 LAN Speed Test
  25. Banana Pi R3 (Back view)
    1. iPerf Test: Wireless (WiFi) Speed Test
  26. Tweaking Network Performance
  27. Final Thoughts
  28. Should You Buy it?
  29. Price and Availability

Part 1: Package Contents, Unboxing, and Hardware

Package Name: SET 3.

Package Contents:

  • x1 Banana Pi R3 Board.
  • x1 12V – 2A Power Supply.
  • x1 Metal Case.
  • x8 Antennas (Including IPEX IPX Pigtail Cables).
Banana Pi R Unboxing
Banana Pi R Unboxing

Unboxing All Items

The Banana Pi R3 Board

Banana Pi R3 Case Unbox 1
Banana Pi R3 Case Unbox 1

Unboxing the Banana Pi R3 Case – 1 of 2

Unboxing the Banana Pi R3 Case – 2 of 2

Power Supply

hdrpl

Antennas


Part 2: Case Design

The Banana Pi 3 metal case comprises two parts formed from sheet metal, assembled on top of each other, and reinforced with four Philips-type screws. In terms of design and quality, they are both top-notch, and it’s a must-have item you should strongly consider buying, currently selling for $10.

Part 1: Upper Cover

Part 2: Lower base

Great Design but not flawless

Although the Case is a super-recommended item, there are a few minor annoying design issues. For example, the WPS and RESET buttons are located internally. As shown in the photo below, from a user’s perspective, the buttons are not accessible by hand. You will need a toothpick or a paper clip to press them.

Banana Pi R3 | Front view

Banana Pi R3 Front

The Banana Pi 3 does have onboard status LEDs, but we noticed that there isn’t any cut on the front side of the Case that can provide the user with some indication and basic information if there are technical problems during boot.

And lastly, for air circulation, you will likely need to add some gap beneath the bottom cover and the surface it’s placed on. You will probably need to buy four silicon legs to heighten the case. We recommend exploring AliExpress to find some cheap solutions with an adhesive sticker. The dimensions of the legs can be adjusted according to your personal preferences. A height of 3-5 mm should be enough. Also, if you prefer a round-type design, you can probably also use adhesive pads designed for laptop computers.

Item Description

QTY

Configuration

Recommneded Dimensions

Self Adhesive Silicone Rubber Pads

4+

#1

60x8x3mm

2+

#2

40x20x3mm

Buy Link (Click Here)


Banana Pi R3 | Bottom Case view

Banana Pi R3 Case Pads
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
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Melroy van den Berg
2 years ago

When you do recommend installing a passive (or active) heat sink to this setup? Passive cooling is I think a no brainer, it’s cheap and silent. Strange they don’t add passive heat sink to their package product, as part of the package.

0
Reply
androidpimp
2 years ago
Reply to  Melroy van den Berg

“Strange they don’t add passive heat sink to their package product, as part of the package”.
They had some supply problems because of COVID.

If you have a large heatsink that will fit and cover all chips, it might be worth trying the passive cooling option. Just use a lower in height so you have the option to add a fan.

0
Reply
Melroy van den Berg
2 years ago
Reply to  androidpimp

I just noticed that the “complete kit” also comes with heat sinks. Seperate heatsinks for each chip. If you buy a large heatsink, that will work as well, BUT keep in mind that the chips have different heights, meaning you should use different heat pads (1.5 mm and 0.5 mm) to have a good coverage of the heat sink on the different chips. I did read about performance issues on forum.banana-pi.org forum, when you don’t cool the chips enough. Especially with passive cooling, it might still be a good idea to add additional vent holes manually in the casing. Since… Read more »

0
Reply
androidpimp
2 years ago
Reply to  Melroy van den Berg

So use 1.5-2 mm thermal pads. Nothing will happen. They are elastic, so it does not matter if you are using the highest type for all chips. It’s not rocket science. I agree about the vent holes. You can drill a few holes.. or you can also glue a small fan to the bottom of the case. And maybe use the GPIO header pins as a power source. Just to get the hot air out of the case.

0
Reply
Melroy van den Berg
2 years ago
Reply to  androidpimp

Actually there is a fan header connnector on the R3 board. Which can do PWM.

0
Reply
androidpimp
2 years ago
Reply to  Melroy van den Berg

Kindly Try it, and let me know if it works well.
you can email me with the info. Thanks

0
Reply
Melroy van den Berg
2 years ago

Ps. also add a link to the package deal of the Banana Pi BPI-R3? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004886608696.html.

Since you mentioned the single board computer only on your last page.

0
Reply
androidpimp
2 years ago
Reply to  Melroy van den Berg

Thanks. I added the link for the complete kit.

0
Reply
Ivan
2 years ago

Which version of PCIe does the board support?

0
Reply
androidpimp
2 years ago
Reply to  Ivan

According to MediaTek website >> M.2 M-Key PCIe interface (2-lane PCIe 2.0)

0
Reply
Hattan
2 years ago

Is there any nas software or docker image that will handle those multiple hdds ? Exampme if i want to raid, zfs or btrfs

0
Reply
androidpimp
2 years ago
Reply to  Hattan

1) OpenWrt has NAS support.
2) You can also try CasaOS.
3) OpenMediaVault should run on Debian.

0
Reply
Pablo
2 years ago

I don’t get what is about the ONTi SFP. It is suposed to be a GPON ONT? In aliexpress I see that it comes in pairs (Tx 1310 and Rx 1550 the first one and other with Tx 1550 and 1310), like a pair which is meant to be connected together.

https://es.aliexpress.com/item/4000265957277.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.17.5893oPf4oPf4kf&algo_pvid=54d3e4cb-00c6-4269-8acb-3ae1e2c40f54&algo_exp_id=54d3e4cb-00c6-4269-8acb-3ae1e2c40f54-8&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21ARS%217735.49%213867.74%21%21%2122.10%21%21%402132a26216964772264216569ed485%2110000001076765699%21sea%21AR%214647643211%21AB&curPageLogUid=VmCG7Kwqm2TR

0
Reply
androidpimp
2 years ago
Reply to  Pablo

This module is not compatible with GPON technology.
If the module information / specifications do not indicate it’s a GPON compliance, then it is safe to say that it is not GPON compliant.

0
Reply
Miles
2 years ago

Did you use anything to glue the copper-made sheet plates on chips?

Last edited 2 years ago by Miles
0
Reply
androidpimp
2 years ago
Reply to  Miles

I used a thermal silicone adhesive plaster.

0
Reply
Jacky
9 months ago

This website doesn’t work. Whenever you click on a topic or try to love to Next page it refreshes the page and stays on page 1

0
Reply
Author
androidpimp
9 months ago
Reply to  Jacky

Thank u. The problem was fixed.

0
Reply
domel
9 months ago

Hello, I can’t read other 9 pages from 10 in the Banana Pi BPI-R3: Everything you need to know article. Now content is unavaible. Please to fix, it’s great portion of knowledge. Best regards

0
Reply
Author
androidpimp
9 months ago
Reply to  domel

Hi, please check now.
Thanks

0
Reply
domel
9 months ago
Reply to  androidpimp

It’s working now, great, thank You:)

0
Reply
Miles
4 months ago

Above you mention that the XH2.54 4PIN SATA power connector can be used with a 12v fan. Would I lose PWM capacity?

0
Reply
Author
androidpimp
4 months ago
Reply to  Miles

It should work, but I didn’t try it with a 12V Fan. In a worst-case scenario, you can always buy a 5V separately from AliExpress and assemble it with screws on top of your existing heatsink.
If you choose to connect to the 3-pins FAN socket using Banana Pi original heatsink, PWM is also enabled by default or at least the option to
set a tipping temp point when the fan will stop or start working.

0
Reply
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