Raspberry Pi has long dominated the consumer single-board computer market.
But what is a RISC-V SBC and how is it better than a Raspberry Pi?
What Is RISC-V?
RISC-V was first introduced back in 2010.
What Is a RISC-V SBC?
A RISC-V SBC is a single-board computer that utilizes a RISC-V CPU or SoC.
Image Credit:Raspberry Pi
Single-board computers are fully-functioning computers with a microprocessor, memory, and I/O all placed on a single PCB.
RISC-V SBC Linux is a popular choice, with distros like Ubuntu offering RISC-V support for many years.
So, what makes them so unique?
Image Credit:Raspberry Pi
RISC-V Is Open-Source, ARM Is Proprietary
ARM is proprietary technology owned by Arm Holdings.
Companies like Imagination Technologies take this even further by allowing license-free use of their existing SoC and CPU designs.
RISC-V vs.
ARM processors have benefited from a lot more research, funding, and development than RISC-V.
It makes sense to learn differences between RISC-V and ARMbefore you choose the board for you.
This will change as time goes by and more companies adopt RISC-V.
Image Credit:MangoPi
Both Raspberry Pi boards and RISC-V SBCs are in high demand and short supply in todays market.
Both boards feature a single-core SoC that clocks in at 1GHz.
This means that pricing will be the largest difference for most users.
Image Credit:StarFive Technology
Both of these boards have benefits and downsides.
When it comes to processing power, both boards are fairly compatible with one another.
As a full-size desktop motherboard, the SiFive HiFive Unmatched truly stands alone in the RISC-V market.
Image Credit:SiFive
As mentioned above, this board is discontinued and no longer available.
Is a RISC-V SBC Better Than a Raspberry Pi?
Determining whether a RISC-V board is better than a Raspberry Pi is a challenge.
