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Single board computers
Contents
Uses
NAS/Home server
An SBC like an Rp4 or Odroid N2+ with some hard drives attached via USB3 can be a cost effective, energy efficient home server.
see Home server for more on using SBC as a Home server system.
PiHole/DNS adblocker
You can use an SBC as a DNS level adblocker and block ads on your entire home network.
Despite the the name, Pihole will work on more than just raspbery pi.
Video Game Emulator
SBCs make for great emulator boxes for retro games. Install retropie or similar, Download some roms, and get playing!
Kodi Client
Kodi is a fully featured home theater software. It works with plex, jellyfin, emby, etc and supports every codec under the sun.
OpenVPN Server
If you need to access your internal network from outside over the internet, you can use an SBC as an OpenVPN Server and encrypt your traffic to and from your home network. (You will also need a Dynamic DNS service and Domain).
Home Automation
SBCs can also be used in Home Automation tasks. Turn lights on/off, send security alerts to your phone, monitor your thermostat, and more.
Home Assistant: Open source home automation software
Comparision
| Device | SoC | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage | USB Ports | SATA | Ethernet | Wifi | Video Out | Audio Out | Power | Other | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 2 B | Broadcom BCM2836 | ARM Cortex A7 4 @ 900MHz | VideoCore IV | 1GB | SD | 4 USB2 | No | 10/100 | No | HDMI, Composite | HDMI, 3.5mm jack | 5V 1.2A USB | 40 pin GPIO | $35 |
| Raspberry Pi 3 B | Broadcom BCM2837 | ARM Cortex A53 4 @ 1.2GHz | VideoCore IV | 1GB | SD | 4 USB2 | No | 10/100 | Yes, 802.11n | HDMI, Composite | HDMI, 3.5mm jack | 5V 1.2A USB | 40 pin GPIO, Bluetooth | $40 |
| Raspberry Pi 4 B | Broadcom BCM2711 | ARM Cortex A72 4 @ 1.5GHz | VideoCore VI | 1GB - 4GB | SD | 2 USB2 2 USB3 | No | 10/100/1000 | Yes, 802.11ac | 2x micro-HDMI, Composite | HDMI, 3.5mm jack | 5V 3A USB | 40 pin GPIO, Bluetooth | $35-55 |
| Raspberry Pi Zero | Broadcom BCM2835 | ARM 1176 1 @ 1GHz | VideoCore IV | 512MB | SD | 1 USB2 | No | No | Yes, 802.11b/g/n (W version only) | mini-HDMI, Composite | HDMI | 5V 1.2A USB | 40 pin GPIO, Bluetooth (W version only) | $10-$15 |
| Atomic Pi | Intel Atom x5-Z8350 | 64-bit x86 4 @ 1.92GHz | Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail) | 2GB | 16GB eMMC, SD | 1 USB3 1 USB2 | No | 10/100/1000 | Yes, 802.11b/g/n | HDMI | HDMI | 5V 2A DuPont | 56 pin GPIO, Bluetooth, IPX connectors, RTC, 9-axis navigation sensor, 4x I2S microphone input | $35 |
| Cubieboard 2 | AllWinner A20 | ARM Cortex A7 2 @ 1GHz | Mali-400MP2 | 1GB | 4GB NAND, µSD | 2 | Yes | 10/100 | No | HDMI | HDMI | 5V 2.5A barrel | $59 | |
| Cubieboard 3 (Cubietruck) | AllWinner A20 | ARM Cortex A7 2 @ 1GHz | Mali-400MP2 | 2GB | 8GB NAND, µSD | 2 | Yes | 10/100/1000 | Yes | HDMI | HDMI | 5V 3A barrel | $89 | |
| Cubieboard 4 | AllWinner A80 | ARM Cortex A15 4 @ 2GHz & ARM Cortex A7 4 @ 1.3GHz | PowerVR G6230 | 2GB | 8GB eMMC, µSD | 4 USB2 | Yes | 10/100/1000 | Yes, 802.11n | HDMI,VGA | HDMI | 5V 3A barrel | 20 pin GPIO, JTAG, bluetooth, IR reciever, ARM big.LITTLE | $126 |
| Beaglebone Black | TI AM3359 | ARM Cortex A8 1 @ 1GHz | PowerVR SGX530 | 512MB | 2-4GB eMMC, µSD | 1 USB2 | No | 10/100 | No | µHDMI | µHDMI | 5V 1A barrel | $45 | |
| Beagleboard X15 | TI AM5728 | ARM Cortex A15 2 @ 1.5GHz & ARM Cortex M4 2 @ 212MHz | PowerVR SGX544 | 2GB | 4GB eMMC, µSD | 3 USB3, 4 USB2 | eSATA | 2x 10/100/1000 | No | HDMI | HDMI, AIC3104 | 12V 5A barrel | 60 pin GPIO | $239 MSRP |
| Odroid-C2 | Exynos 5410 | ARM Cortex A53 4 @ 1.5GHz | Mali-450 | 2GB | eMMC, µSD | 4 | No | 10/100/1000 | No | HDMI | HDMI | 5V 2A barrel | GPIO | $46 |
| Odroid-XU4 | Exynos 5422 | ARM Cortex A15 4 @ 2GHz & ARM Cortex A7 4 @ 1.3GHz | Mali-T628MP6 | 2GB | eMMC, µSD | 2 USB3, 1 USB2 | No | 10/100/1000 | No | HDMI | HDMI | 5V 2A barrel | 30+12 pin GPIO ARM big.LITTLE | $59 |
| Galileo 2 | Intel Quark X1000 | 32-bit Intel Pentium class 1 @ 400MHz | No | 256MB | 8MB Flash, µSD, mPCIe | 1 USB2 | No | 10/100 | No | No | No | 5V 3A barrel | JTAG | $80 |
