[Hardware] Rock Pi X: An x86 Computer in Raspberry Pi Form Factor

[Agent47]

 

 

The Rock Pi X SBC is based on an Intel 1.84GHz quad-core Atom x5- Z8300 SoC, along with up to 4GB RAM and 128GB eMMC, plus an optional WiFi/Bluetooth controller. The board features a Raspberry Pi style form-factor and 40-pin expansion header.

 

The Raspberry Pi form factor has often been mimicked by other boards and Radxa’s latest board, Rock Pi X sees the form factor accommodate an Intel Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM and 16GB eMMC flash storage for $59. (Via cnx-software)

The Rock Pi X is an x86 single board computer, in other words it can run the same software as your main desktop computer / laptop. Windows 10 and various Linux distributions will work on this board. An Intel Atom x5-z8350 with Windows 10 would be bearable for simple projects but don’t expect this to run Crysis, both versions!

    SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8350 “Cherry Trail” quad-core processor @ 1.44 GHz / 1.92 GHz (Turbo) with Intel Gen8 HD graphics @ 500 MHz
    System Memory –  1 GB, 2 GB. or 4GB LPDDR3-1866
    Storage – 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB or 128GB eMMC flash , MicroSD card socket
    Video Output – HDMI 1.4 port up to 4K @ 30 Hz
    Audio I/O – Via HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack
    Gigabit Ethernet with PoE support (additional PoE HAT required),
    802.11 a/b/g/n/ac WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 Classic + LE with u.FL antenna connector
    USB – 1x USB 3.0 port, 3x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x USB OTG Type-C port
    Expansion – 40-pin Raspberry Pi compatible header with 6x GPIOs, 2x UART, 2x SPI, 2x I2C, 1x PCM/I2S, 1x SPDIF, 2x PWM, 1x ADC, and power signals (5V, 3.3V and GND)
    Misc – Power button, LED, RTC with battery connector
    5V-20V up to 3A/1A Via USB-C port with QC and PD fast charging support;
    AXP288C PMIC
    PoE support via additional HAT
    Dimensions – 3.3 x 2.1 inches (85 x 54 mm)

 

With eMMC flash storage options from 8GB to 128GB we have a decent level of storage for most users but choose wisely as the eMMC is soldered to the board. Further expansion options are provided via micro SD. A single USB 3.0 port can also be used with external storage. The remaining three USB ports are USB 2.0, best for keyboard and mouse duties. The USB C port provides power and OTG support which adds the possibility of faster USB C storage. A single HDMI 1.4 port offers 4K at 30 Hz provides the only display output, unless one is hidden in the USB C port. Unlike the Raspberry Pi the Rock Pi X has no CSI (Camera) or DSI (Display) ports but it does have a 40 pin GPIO which is claimed to be compatible with the Raspberry Pi. We have yet to see a pinout or software which completely backs this claim up.

 

 

Product overview...
Board Name -- Rock Pi X
Category -- SBC
Model -- RS860A
Manufacturer -- Radxa
Official website -- click here
Price -- $49 (USD)
Additional info may be found via this automated Google search
Posted 2020-09-27 11:45am
System-on-Chip...
Intel Atom x5-Z8300
Primary processor type -- Intel X86
Primary processor word-width -- 64-bit
Primary processor cores -- 4
Primary processor clock rate (GHz) -- 1.84
Additional processors (if any)...
GPU (graphics) -- Intel HD Graphics (Cherry Trail)
MCU (microcontroller) -- Intel Integrated Sensor Hub (ISH)
FPGA (gates) --
Other (DSP, FPU, NPU, TPU, AI...) --
System RAM...
Maximum capacity (GB) -- 4
Type -- LPDDR3
ECC support -- No
Factory installed? -- Yes
On-board solid-state storage...
Maximum capacity (GB) -- 128
Type -- eMMC
Factory installed? -- Yes
Removable solid-state storage...
Interface type -- Other format
m.2 interfaces -- 0
m.2 NVMe support --
SATA support...
SATA ports --
USB ports...
USB host ports -- 4
USB OTG ports -- 1
USB port types -- 1x 3.0, 3x 2.0
Ethernet...
Ethernet interfaces -- 1
Maximum LAN speed (Mbps) -- 1000
Wake-on-LAN support? --
Wireless...
WiFi -- 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (option)
Bluetooth -- 4.2 LE (option)
Broadband --
LoRa --
HDMI...
Number of HDMI ports -- 1
HDMI version -- 1.4
Max. HDMI resolution -- 4k
FPS at max. resolution -- 30
Other display interfaces...
Composite video (CVBS) ports --
Other display interfaces (DSI, LVDS, VGA...) -- eDP, MIPI
Camera interfaces...
Number of camera ports -- 1
Camera interface types -- MIPI
Audio I/O...
Analog output ports -- 1
Audio connector type -- 3.5mm jack
Audio via HDMI? -- 1
I2S interfaces --
SPDIF interfaces --
Line inputs --
Mic inputs -- 1
On-board microphones --
Other I/O...
GPIO -- 40
ADC -- 2
PWM -- 2
SPI -- 0
I2C -- 2
UARTs -- 0
RS232 (or 485 or 422) -- 0
IR receiver -- No
Expansion connector compatibility?
Arduino compatible -- No
Raspberry Pi compatible -- Yes
Miscellaneous functions...
Real time clock (RTC) support -- yes
PMIC/PMU (power management controllers) -- AXP288C
Lithium battery support --
Operating system support...
Linux -- Ubuntu 20.x
Android --
Windows -- Windows 10
Other OSes --
Other features not listed elsewhere:
* Pricing varies by RAM, eMMC, and optional WiFi. As of Sep. 27, 2020 the RAM/eMMC version (no WiFi/BT) pricing was:
• 1GB/8GB — $39
• 2GB/16GB — $49
• 4GB/32GB — $65
• 4GB/64GB — $75
• 4GB/128GB — $89
* Inclusion of WiFi/BT controller adds $10 to each of the above prices

Physical specs...
Width (mm) -- 52
Height (mm) -- 85
Depth (mm) -- 18
Weight (gm) --
Input voltage, min. (V) -- 5
Input voltage, max. (V) -- 20
Input current, min. (A) -- 1
Input current, max. (A) -- 3
Operating temp., min. (°C) --
Operating temp., max. (°C) --
Certifications -- CE, FCC