Best Single Board Computers (Dec. 2024) - Rated by CherryPicks' Experts

How to Choose the Best Single Board Computer for Your Project

If you're in the market for a Single Board Computer, you've come to the right place. Whether you're in the market for a gaming PC or an affordable gaming console, we'll provide a single-board computer buying guide that will make the buying process simple. We'll cover the various types of Single Board Computers and their features, including the brand and processor performance.

Factors to Need to know when buy a Single Board Computer

Brand

When choosing electronic products, the brand is always a factor that must be considered. In a sense, this will directly determine the quality of your products.

There are many different types of Single Board Computers available on the market. The most common type is the Raspberry Pi. This type is popular among hobbyists and DIYers due to its low cost and ease of use. Other popular types of SBCs include the  seeed studio and waveshare.

Operating system

Single Board Computers are tiny computer systems that can perform the same functions as a standard desktop PC. These systems typically contain a processor, memory, and input/output interfaces. They can run many programs simultaneously and can be used for a variety of applications. Some examples of this kind of computer include a web server, media server, and smart home hub.

There are several different operating systems for Single Board Computers. The operating system you choose should be compatible with the hardware and software you'll use. In addition, you should choose a system based on its intended use. A good choice for a single-board computer is the Raspberry Pi 4, which offers a fantastic price-to-performance ratio and can be used as a traditional desktop or server, robotics, or for gaming.

Processor performance

For any computer, the ability to execute given instructions and perform arithmetic functions is the backbone. Check the chipset used in the required SBC. After knowing the chips used, run a search on the Internet and you will find information such as the number of cores, speed and architecture. The higher the speed, the faster the CPU will execute instructions.

A CPU with a multi-core processor allows a computer to run threads at the same time. Therefore, if the program is written for a multi-threaded process, multi-core is beneficial to improve the execution time. HIM test is a linear solver of pressure Poisson equation and a good method to test multi-core processors. You can test any single-board computer by using encode-FLAC test on it to test how long it takes to convert.

Application

Decide the purpose for which you will use the single board computer. This will help you narrow down your choices and ensure that you get the features you need. You may need more powerful equipment to handle multitasking or advanced processing. SBC applications range from basic Linux PC to retro game consoles, smart home hubs, home servers and various other use cases.

With the help of Internet connection, the Internet of Things (IoT) project is very popular on the development board. And media file servers, smart home hubs, VPN servers, home advertisement blockers, and various other connected device applications are all possible.

• Game and retro game simulation
• Basic desktop usage such as office productivity
• Server-media server, file server, VPN server, 3D printer management server, etc.
• Internet of Things Applications-Smart Home Center, Family Advertisement Blocker
• robotics
• artificial intelligence

Available accessories

To a large extent, there is a correlation between available accessories and the popularity of maker boards. Generally, SBC, which is more widely used, will benefit from additional accessories, such as housings and additional components. For Raspberry Pi, which can be used in large quantities, you will find a large number of accessories to choose from, from retro game chassis and active cooling chassis to PI HAT add-on board for providing LED or Ethernet power. Similarly, Odroid development board and Pine64 products can be equipped with any number of cute housings, sensors and external components.

Possible SBC accessories:

• case
• Additional board
• sensor
• touch screen

connectors

According to your needs, you need to select the SBC with the corresponding I/O port you want to use. Conventional I/O interfaces include USB, HDMI (image output), network cable interface, etc. If it is the latest SBC, it may also be compatible with USB 3.0. More I/O peripherals can further expand the AI project.

Some FAQs about single-board computer

Can you make your single-board computer waterproof?

It is possible to make a single-board computer waterproof, but it is not typically done as most boards are not designed for water submersion. There are cases, though, where users have sealed their board in a watertight container or used special coatings to protect it from moisture.

What are the benefits of using a Single Board Computer?

There are several benefits to using a Single Board Computer, including:

1. Reduced cost: SBCs are often less expensive than traditional desktop or laptop computers.
2. Increased efficiency: SBCs typically have low power requirements, which can save you money in the long run.
3. Easy to use: SBCs are typically very easy to set up and use, making them a good choice for beginners or those who don't have a lot of experience with computers.
4. Numerous configuration options: SBCs offer a wide range of configuration options, which allows you to choose the system that best suits your needs.
5. Portable: SBCs are often small and lightweight, making them easy to transport.

What architecture should single board computer use?

Single Board Computers are typically based on an ARM architecture. This makes them less expensive than x86 machines. They are also much faster and efficient. The typical cost of an ARM based SBC can be less than a third of a typical desktop PC. In addition, SBCs tend to be more energy efficient than desktop PCs, which can add up over time.

What is the difference between a single board computer and a single board controller?

A single board computer (SBC) is a complete computer on a single circuit board. This includes the CPU, memory, storage, and all of the necessary input and output ports. A single board controller (SBC) is a smaller and less powerful version of an SBC. It typically includes only the CPU and memory, without any on-board storage or ports.

Conclusion

A single board computer is a great way to save on desktop costs and increase efficiency. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all include the necessary CPU, memory, storage, and ports for computing. ARM-based boards tend to be less expensive than x86 machines, making them an attractive option for budget-minded buyers.

Round Up of the Best Single Board Computers (Verified to Buy)

• 1. Raspberry Pi 4 Computer Model B 8GB Single Board Computer...
• 2. ODROID N2 Single Board Computer (SBC) (4GB) with Power Supply
• 3. Rock Pi 4 Plus Model B Rockchip RK3399(OP1) Single Board...
• 4. Khadas Single Board Computer, VIM3 Basic Amlogic A311D,Faster CPU,Neural Processing...
• 5. SmartFly info Tinker Board 2 6-Core 2.0 GHz Rockchip RK3399...
• 6. Firefly AIO-3568J AI Single Board Computer Based on Rockchip Quad-Core...
• 7. Rock Pi 4 Plus Rockchip RK3399(OP1) Single Board Computer LPDDR4...
• 8. khadas Edge Pro Single Board Computer with Rockchip RK3399 64-bit...
• 9. youyeetoo BPI-M5 Amlogic S905X3 Single Board Computer with 4GB RAM...
• 10. Atomic Pi - High Speed SBC with Peripheral ICS

Top 10 Single Board Computers Brands on Amazon

Here is the list of top-rated brands that were evaluated by CherryPicks.

• Raspberry Pi
• ODROID
• WayPonDEV
• khadas
• youyeetoo
• DLI
• FriendlyElec
• Generic
• eleduino
• STATIONPC

Specific Single Board Computers Guides

For more personalized Single Board Computers guides to match for your different needs, check out the following pages,

Top 10 Single Board Computers Sellers: CPR Seller Rank List

CPR sellers rank is based on CherryPicks-AI bestselling ranking system that helps us analyze each seller's sales trends. The List of top seller ranks is our in-house data, essential for our product ranking to help you make the right shopping choice.