Orange Pi RV Review: The Ultimate Budget-Friendly RISC-V SBC

• Maybe you missed it? Orange Pi RV2 Review
• Orange Pi RV Review, Specs, Features, Interfaces, and Price.

Shenzhen Xunlong has unveiled the Orange Pi RV, a cutting-edge single-board computer featuring a StarFive CPU built on RISC-V architecture.

The Orange Pi series, created by Shenzhen Xunlong Software Co., Ltd., consists of an array of single-board computers (SBCs) renowned for their compact design and robust performance. These versatile devices are perfect for a wide range of applications, including IoT initiatives, home automation, and educational projects. Their affordability and adaptability have made Orange Pi boards a favored choice for hobbyists, developers, and technology enthusiasts alike.

Part I: Introducing the Orange Pi RV

Following the surge of RISC-V single-board computers released by various Chinese manufacturers, the Orange Pi RV stands out as a highly compact board, surpassing both a credit card and the Raspberry Pi 5. Its portable design is perfect for various applications. Notably, this model represents a significant milestone in the evolution of single-board computers, as it is the newest member of the Orange Pi family. Utilizing RISC-V-based hardware at more accessible prices for both developers and mainstream consumers.

Key Takeaways

• Multiple RAM Configurations: 2GB/4GB/8GB LPDDR4.
• Gigabit Ethernet interface
• Interfaces: MIPI DSI, MIPI CSI, 40-Pin expansion port, 3.5mm headphone jack, Type-C 5V4A power supply, and so on.
• M.2 M-Key PCIe SSD card slot.
• 4x USB 3.0 host ports.
• HDMI Type A, 2.0, up to 4K@30fps.
• High performance combined with low power usage, compared to traditional SBCs.

Orange Pi RV Specifications

Raspberry Pi 5 vs. Orange Pi RV

Here’s the specs detailed, comparing the Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) and Orange Pi RV (8GB):

Summary:

• Raspberry Pi 5: Great for general computing with strong community support but missing features like an integrated M.2 NVMe SSD Socket.
• Orange Pi RV: Provides enhanced possibilities for hardware upgrades, improved power efficiency, and is built on the open-source RISC-V architecture.

Comparing RISC-V with other SBCs available on the market.

When comparing the performance of RISC-V-based SBCs like the Orange Pi RISC-V with traditional architectures such as ARM or x86, several factors come into play. While ARM-based SBCs have dominated the market for years, RISC-V introduces a new paradigm that emphasizes openness and extensibility. In terms of raw processing power, RISC-V processors have demonstrated competitive performance in various benchmarks and real-world applications.

Inside the hardware: What you need to know.

The JH-7110 is a system-on-a-chip (SoC) designed and manufactured in China. It features a 1.5 GHz StarFive JH7110 processor with four RV64GC CPU cores based on the RISC-V architecture. The dimensions are 89 x 56 mm (3.5″ x 2.2″), and it supports up to 8 GB of memory along with various I/O capabilities. The company behind Orange Pi devices announced its development earlier this year, and the specifications are now available on the Orange Pi website.

Although the JH7110 processor may not be the quickest on the market, it offers a solid foundation for both developers and hobbyists to delve into the world of RISC-V chips. With several years of existence and an increasing number of boards from renowned companies such as Milk-V, Pine64, Geniatech, and Framework, the processor is well-supported and ready for exploration.

Software Support

The product page for the Orange Pi RV is currently undergoing updates. However, we anticipate that it will be compatible with all major Linux distributions, including Debian and Ubuntu, as well as Android. Furthermore, the official Orange Pi website provides download links for both official images and those from third-party partners.

Official Ubuntu Support

Canonical, known for its proficiency in open-source software and services, and recognized as the creator of Ubuntu, has started providing developer images for Orange Pi boards based on RISC-V architecture. (Media Source: Here).

Concluding Remarks

The Orange Pi RV boasts a powerful processor combined with a versatile board that offers options of 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB of LPDDR4-2800 single-channel memory. It includes a microSD card reader and an M.2 2280 slot for PCIe 2.0 SSD storage, making it an exceptionally budget-friendly choice for users seeking affordable hardware solutions.