Maybe You missed it? Orange Pi 4 LTS
Orange Pi 5 SBC
The new forthcoming single-board computer Orange Pi 5 (LTS) features a powerful RK3588S CPU from Rockchip. It is an octa-core processor with four neural processing units (NPUs) capable of up to TOPS of AI performance, four 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, four 2.4 GHz ARM Cortex-A76 CPU cores, and Mali-G610 MP4 graphics.
Main Highlights:
- Rockchip RK3588S new Gen. AIoT chip.
- Internal Storage: 4/8/16 eMMC.
- Maximum memory supported – 32GB.
- WIFI & BT – Possible using an M.2 NVME to PCIe adapter.
- HDMI2.1, up to 8K @60Hz.
- 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C (with power delivery and DisplayPort 1.4 support).
- 2x MIPI D-PHY TX 4Lane, configurable up to 4K @60Hz.
Orange Pi 5 – Hardware Specifications
 | |
Orange Pi 5 (Product specification) | |
Brand | Orange Pi |
Model | Orange Pi 5 |
SoC | Rockchip RK3588S |
CPU | • 8-core 64-bit processor |
GPU | • Arm Mali-G610 MP4 “Odin” GPU
|
NPU | Built-in AI accelerator NPU with up to 6 TOPS, supports INT4/INT8/INT16 mixed operation |
System Memory | 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB (Optional) PDDR4/4x |
Storage | M.2 NVME to PCIe 2.0, MicroSD card slot |
Video Output | Support HDMI 2.1 8K video output, USB-C (DP1.4), dual MIPI D-PHY video output for multi-screen display, support |
WiFi & Bluetooth | Possible, using an M.2 NVME to PCIe adapter. |
LAN | GbE Ethernet RJ45 (YT8531) |
External Display Interface | 2x 4-lane MIPI DSI connector up to 4Kp60 |
Camera Interfaces | 3x MIPI CSI 4-Lane |
USB | • 1x USB 3.0 port • 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C port (5 Gbps) • 2x USB 2.0 ports |
Audio | • ES8388 audio codec • 3.5mm audio jack - headphone & microphone |
Expansion | • 26-pin header with up to 15x GPIO • 3x PWM • 2x I2C • 1x CAN |
Debug | 3pin UART header for serial console |
Buttons / Keys | • 1x MaskROM key • 1x RECOVERY |
LEDs | • Power LED • Status LED |
Power Supply | • 5V/4A via DC jack • USB Type-C port (USB PD 3.0) |
Dimensions | 100 x 62 mm |
Weight | 46 grams |
Raspberry Pi 4 vs. Orange Pi 5
Raspberry Pi 4 vs. Orange Pi 5 | ||
Model | Raspberry Pi 4B | Orange Pi 5 |
- |  | |
Hardware features | ||
CPU | Broadcom BCM2711 | Rockchip RK3588S |
RAM Configurations | 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB | 4GB/8GB/16GB/32GB |
CPU architecture | Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) (64-bit SoC) | Cortex A76+A55 (64-bit SoC) |
Core number | 4 | 8 |
CPU Frequency (Max) | 4x1.50 GHz | 4x Cortex-A76 (2.4GHz) 4x Cortex-A55 (1.8GHz) |
GPU | Broadcom VideoCore VI (500MHz) | Arm Mali-G610 MP4 (600 MHz) 4 Execution units |
GPIO header | 40 pin | 26 pin |
Display & Camera Interfaces | 1x 2-lane MIPI DSI display port | 1x 4-Lane MIPI DSI display port |
MicroSD (TF) Card Slot |  | |
M.2 M-KEY Socket |  | |
eMMC Storage | | |
QSPI Nor FLASH 16MB | | |
USB | x2 USB 3.0 ports x2 USB 2.0 ports | x2 USB3.0 x1 Type-C (USB3.1) |
Integrated WiFi & BT | | PCIe NVMe SSD / PCIe Wi-Fi6+BT5.0 (Using an expansion card) |
3 Pin debug serial port (UART) | | |
On/Off Button | | |
Integrated Recovery Button | | |
10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet | | |
HDMI | 2 × micro-HDMI ports (up to 4kp60 supported) | HDMI2.1, up to 8K @60Hz |
Integrated Microphone | | |
3.5mm jack | Audio & Video Out | Audio In & Out |
PCB size | 286mm × 122mm | 100mm x 62mm |
Power Interface | Type-C (5V/4A) | Type-C (5V/3A) |
PMU | STMicroelectronics STPMIC1A | RK806-1 |
OS | Android/Ubuntu/debian | Android/Ubuntu/debian |
Astimate Price | Starting at $170 (4GB RAM Model) | Starting at $75-80 (4GB RAM Model) |
RK3588 or RK3588S – Which one is better?
Rockchip is a popular semiconductor company that designs and manufactures system-on-chip (SoC) solutions recently released two powerful SoCs, the RK3588 and RK3588S. While both of these chips are built on the same architecture, there are some differences between them that set them apart. In this article, we will take a closer look at these two SoCs and compare their features.
CPU and GPU Performance The RK3588 and RK3588S are both based on the Arm Cortex-A76 architecture, which is known for its high performance and energy efficiency. However, the RK3588S has a slightly higher clock speed compared to the RK3588. The RK3588S features a 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 CPU while the RK3588 is clocked at 2.2 GHz. This means that the RK3588S can perform tasks slightly faster than the RK3588.
In terms of GPU performance, both SoCs feature the Arm Mali-G77 GPU. However, the RK3588S has a 30% faster GPU compared to the RK3588. This means that the RK3588S is better suited for graphics-intensive applications such as gaming.
Connectivity The RK3588 and RK3588S both support 5G connectivity, but there are some differences in terms of supported frequencies. The RK3588 supports 5G NR Sub-6GHz bands n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n40/n41/n66/n77/n78/n79. The RK3588S, on the other hand, supports 5G NR Sub-6GHz bands n1/n2/n3/n5/n7/n8/n12/n20/n25/n28/n38/n40/n41/n66/n71/n77/n78/n79. This means that the RK3588S has a slightly wider range of 5G frequencies that it can connect to.
Additionally, the RK3588S supports Wi-Fi 6E, which is a new Wi-Fi standard that operates on the 6GHz frequency band. This means that devices with the RK3588S can connect to Wi-Fi networks that operate on the 6GHz band, which can provide faster and more reliable Wi-Fi speeds.
Power Consumption The RK3588S is built using a 6nm manufacturing process, while the RK3588 is built on a 7nm process. This means that the RK3588S is more power-efficient compared to the RK3588. The RK3588S can provide better battery life for mobile devices or reduce power consumption in other applications.
Conclusion In summary, the RK3588 and RK3588S are both powerful SoCs with similar architectures. The main differences between them lie in CPU and GPU performance, connectivity, and power consumption. The RK3588S has a faster CPU and GPU, wider 5G frequency support, and is more power-efficient thanks to the smaller manufacturing process. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the specific requirements of the application in which they are being used.
Orange Pi 5 Interfaces
Equipped with two MIPI DSI display interfaces, three camera interfaces, Gigabit Ethernet with up to 32GB RAM, 32GB eMMC memory, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 8K video outputs, a few USB ports, and a 26-pin GPIO header are all stated to be included in the SBC.
Orange Pi 5 (Top view)
Orange Pi 5 (Back)
Hardware
Additionally, the system has a MicroSD card slot, HDMI 2.1 video output, 8/16/32GB eMMC flash memory, and an M.2 PCIe 2.0 slot that can use to connect with a WIFI&BT module board or an NVMe SSD Card. Also, there is an option for up to 32GB of LPDDRx4 RAM, which is four times more than what the top-tier Raspberry Pi 4 offers (although entry-level configurations will have far fewer options, including 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB).
Software Support
Orange Pi 5 SBC will initially support Android 12 and Ubuntu/Debian just like the previous Rockchip RK3588/RK3588S boards we’ve seen. For the most up-to-date list of supported Images, please refer to the table below.
No. | Distribution name | Description | Referral links |
1 | Android 12.0 Ubuntu | Official Orange Pi Images | |
3 | Diet Pi | Lightweight customizable | |
4 | FydeOS | Chrome OS based | |
5 | Armbian | Highly customizable & optimized | |
7 | RebornOS | Arch Based | |
7 | Batocera | Retro Gaming | |
8 | JELOS | Retrob Gaming | |
9 | Ubuntu 22.04.1 TLS | Project Contributors: Patrick Schur, Joshua Riek | |
10 | Debian & Ubuntu | bullseye, jammy | |
11 | OpenWrt | Running under docker | |
Updated on Wednesday, 12 March 2023 | |||
Exploring the Benefits of Orange Pi 5’s Hardware Graphic Acceleration
The Orange Pi 5 is a powerful single-board computer that offers a range of features and capabilities. One of the most notable features of the Orange Pi 5 is its hardware graphic acceleration, which can provide a significant boost to the performance of graphics-intensive applications. In this article, we will explore the benefits of the Orange Pi 5’s hardware graphic acceleration and how it can improve applications’ performance.
Hardware graphic acceleration technology allows the Orange Pi 5 to use its dedicated graphics processing unit (GPU) to process graphics-intensive tasks. This can significantly boost the performance of applications that require a lot of graphical processing power. For example, video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming applications can benefit from the increased performance provided by hardware graphic acceleration.
The Orange Pi 5’s hardware graphic acceleration also provides improved image quality. The GPU can process images with greater accuracy and clarity, resulting in sharper and more detailed images. This can be especially beneficial for applications such as video editing, where image quality is paramount.
The Orange Pi 5’s hardware graphic acceleration also provides improved power efficiency. By offloading graphics-intensive tasks to the GPU, the Orange Pi 5 can reduce the amount of power consumed by the system. This can result in improved battery life and reduced energy costs.
Finally, the Orange Pi 5’s hardware graphic acceleration can improve security. By offloading graphics-intensive tasks to the GPU, the Orange Pi 5 can reduce the amount of data that needs to be processed by the CPU, which can help to reduce the risk of malicious attacks.
In conclusion, the Orange Pi 5’s hardware graphic acceleration can provide various benefits, including improved performance, image quality, power efficiency, and security. By taking advantage of this technology, users can enjoy improved performance and enhanced security for their applications.
How to Maximize Performance with Orange Pi 5’s Hardware Graphic Acceleration
The Orange Pi 5 is a powerful single-board computer that offers a range of features, including hardware graphic acceleration. This feature can be used to maximize performance and improve the user experience. In this article, we will discuss how to optimize performance with Orange Pi 5’s hardware graphic acceleration.
First, it is essential to understand the basics of hardware graphic acceleration. This technology uses dedicated hardware to process graphics-intensive tasks like 3D rendering and video playback. This allows for faster and smoother performance, as the processor does not have to handle the graphics processing.
The Orange Pi 5 has a dedicated Arm Mali-G610 MP4 GPU capable of hardware graphic acceleration. You will need to install the appropriate drivers to take advantage of this feature. The drivers can be downloaded from the official Orange Pi website. Once the drivers are installed, you can enable hardware graphic acceleration in the system settings.
Once hardware graphic acceleration is enabled, you can take advantage of its benefits. One of the most noticeable benefits is improved performance when running graphics-intensive tasks. This can be especially useful for gaming, as the improved performance can lead to a smoother and more enjoyable experience.
Finally, hardware graphic acceleration can also improve the overall user experience. The user experience can be significantly enhanced by improving performance and battery life.
In conclusion, hardware graphic acceleration can be used to maximize performance and improve the user experience on the Orange Pi 5. To take advantage of this feature, you must install the appropriate drivers and enable hardware graphic acceleration in the system settings. Once enabled, you can take advantage of its benefits, such as improved performance, battery life, and user experience. We strongly recommend checking the Armbian distribution with hardware graphic acceleration support, which can be downloaded Here.
Package Content
- 1x Orange Pi 5 Board (16GB RAM Edition).
- 1x Quick Start Guide.
- 1x USB Type-C Power Adapter (5V-4A).
The Orange Pi 5 Board Package
Unboxing All of the items
A Closer Look at the Orange Pi 5
Orange Pi 5 with a Metal Case (Optional)
By default, the Orange Pi 5 doesn’t come with a metal case. There are currently two options for this board. You can either choose a closed type plastic acrylic transparent case or this semi-open metal case (as shown in the photos below). We strongly recommend using a metal case since it provides the most efficient cooling for the chips and all interfaces are highly accessible compared to a closed plastic case. Therefore, you don’t have to unscrew any additional screws to access the camera interfaces, GPIO pins and so forth.
The case Design
Composed of two main metal plates. There is a small housing pocket for mounting the fan on the upper cover, which has cooling fins. Both plates are fastened together with four screws, pressed against each other while the Pi 5 board is positioned between them in a “sandwich” style arrangement using four spaces. The case kit includes a Philips screwdriver, four thermal pads, and a 5V fan. Based on our impression, the fan does an excellent job cooling the chips. The fan isn’t noisy and you can expect CPU temperatures to drop as low as 32℃ in idle mode.
Accessing ports & Interfaces
Another option for using the case. If for some reason you need to access the camera port (CAM2), located on the rear side of the board and the gap is too small and limiting access, you can buy and add additional spacers to increase the space between the lower plate and the board.
This arrangement will be ideal for adding extra space when installing a 2242 M.2 SSD card with a heatsink. In some situations, you can also cut the length of the spacers so that the 2242 M.2 SSD Card will contact the lower plate for maximum thermal conductivity.
Increasing the space between the lower case plate and the Orange Pi 5 board
The Orange Pi 5 case after Assembly
Disadvantage of using the semi open metal case
Although this case provides an excellent cooling solution for the Orange Pi 5 board, there are a few drawbacks or limitations to using this solution. For example, the Maskrom and recovery buttons are the last resort if your bootloader is damaged or you need to flash Raw Firmware to eMMC.
In Maskrom mode, instead of booting off eMMC or microSD, the CPU loads binaries from the USB OTG port. In this way, you can perform low-level maintenance tasks. Because the Maskrom and recovery button are located near the Orange CPU and RAM chips, the metal case covers it, making it inaccessible. To overcome this issue, we recommend using acrylic or sheet metal cases or installing individual heatsinks on top of each chip.
CPU stress and monitoring
Jumping back into the Orange Pi 5 performance under normal and high duty loads. When used with a metal case you can expect the following temperatures. Based on our tests, we were able to overload all eight CPU cores at 100% using the stress tool S-tui, and reached 78°C. As for the recovery time, or the time it takes the CPU temp to reach “normal” core values of approximately ~48℃, it took us about 20-26 seconds from the moment we stopped stressing the CPU.
S-tui stress testing (Armbian)
Temperature Range
Purchasing links
Product Photo | Product description | Purchasing link |
 | Metal Case | |
 | Acrylic (Plastic) Case | |
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. | ||
Monitoring system resources
Based on our check, in a clean Armbian installation you can expect to be left with a total of 14.4Gib of free RAM with CPU load of %4 (Idle Mode). As mentioned in the board specification sheet, the Orange Pi 5 doesn’t have an eMMC flash option. It’s not a deal breaker, but we strongly advise using a fast 64G/128G Micro-SD card. But if you need faster read/write speeds, you have the option to add an 2242 NVMe SSD expansion card.
Armbian Linux (Desktop)
It is probably the most optimized distribution that works externally well with the Orange Pi 5. We had an excellent user experience using this distribution. The entire system worked smoothly and opened apps like the LibreOffice suite quickly. Plus, the drivers support GPU hardware acceleration well. If you are planning to use the Orange Pi 5 as a portable mini PC/Workstation, then this is the right choice.
Armbian 23.02 Jammy Gnome (Desktop)
GPU Acceleration Support
Thanks to hardware GPU acceleration support, games, animations, and movies played through the Chrome browser run smoother with fewer lags or hiccups. Instead of the CPU handling all of the processed data, the GPU handles them more efficiently. This boosts execution speed and ultimately improves the user experience when watching online content.
Following Armbian instructions on installing the Mesa 3D graphics drivers with Mali G610 firmware, we can clearly say that our user experience was greatly enhanced. Playing YouTube videos in high resolution was really awesome. Some 4K videos will probably not always run smoothly, so don’t expect perfection in supporting all video formats known today. We can say that overall, playing videos in 720P and 1080P resolutions was impressive as you would expect from a high-end media player device.
Chrome browser: Hardware acceleration settings
The Kodi Experience – What to expect?
When it comes to video performance, the Orange Pi 5 is a real hardware beast. We played with Kodi Matrix 19.4 under the Armbian 23.02 Jammy (Gnome) distribution, which is super optimized and based on Ubuntu. Kodi loaded instantly. Also, we managed to play a few heavy videos recorded in 2K & 4K quality very smoothly without any noticeable lags.
From 16GB of RAM, only 9% were used. It is imperative to emphasize that not every format is playable on Kodi. Some files will surely fail. But based on our personal impression, the hardware is more than adequate for heavy high-resolution video playback. In addition, we managed to stream live shows from Samsung TV Plus and Pluto TV in 1080P resolution without any problems.
Practical Applications
The Orange Pi 5 may be used extensively in various domains, including tablets, edge computing, AI, cloud computing, AR/VR, smart security, smart homes, and other tech areas that cover several AIoT industries.
Orange Pi 5 vs Raspberry Pi 4
Orange Pi 5 single-board computer (SBC) is powered by an octa-core Rockchip RK3588S new generation 8-core 64-bit processor that can reach speeds up to 2.4GHz. This processor offers more cores than the Raspberry Pi 4, powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex A72 processor. The Orange Pi 5 can handle more complex tasks and multitasking, making it more suitable for intensive gaming and video streaming applications. The Orange Pi 5 also has more RAM options than the Raspberry Pi 4, with up to 32GB LPDDR4/4x RAM. This allows it to run multiple applications at once without performance issues. In addition, it has an Arm Mali-G610 MP4 GPU, which offers better graphics performance than the Raspberry Pi 4’s VideoCore IV GPU.
The Orange Pi 5 is more powerful than the Raspberry Pi 4. It offers better multitasking and graphics performance, making it better suited for more intensive applications.
Orange Pi 5: Pricing and Availability (Updated on Friday, 3 February 2023)
Shenzhen Xunlong company is known for its aggressive pricing strategies, and it should be considerably less expensive than the $219 requested for the ROC-RK3588S-PC with 4GB RAM and 32GB eMMC flash. The initial starting price for the Orange Pi 5 bare board with 4GB RAM is $75.00, and $90.00 for the 8GB RAM model. By default, there is no onboard WiFi/BT support in the Orange Pi 5 board, but if required, you can buy a suitable wireless module board with an M.2 converter adapter.
Where can you get it?
Overall, the Orange Pi 5 is an awesome piece of hardware with exemplary performance.It should be noted that some packages don’t include a 5V-4A power adaptor so if you already have one, you can save few bucks. That said, the bare board with 4GB of RAM is currently priced at $75. The 8GB RAM model, which is currently priced at $90, is also available for more demanding hardware applications. You are welcome to check the Shenzhen Xunlong official AliExpress store to keep updated on upcoming products, including the latest Orange Pi 5 prices.
