Odroids

[Dirk Broer]

Present Odroids compared, and some predicted future models

Model	Architecture	CPU	SOC	Cores/Threads	RAM in GB	RAM GB/Thread	Power consumption	Power consumption/Thread
XU4	ARMv7-A	Cortex-A15 (4)/Cortex-A7 (4)	Samsung Exynos5422	8	2	0.25	13.20 Watt	1.65 Watt/thread
N2+ -2GB	ARMv8-A	Cortex-A73 (4)/Cortex-A53 (2)	Amlogic S922X	6	2	0.33	6.20 Watt	1.03 Watt/thread
N2+ -4GB	ARMv8-A	Cortex-A73 (4)/Cortex-A53 (2)	Amlogic S922X	6	4	0.66	6.20 Watt	1.03 Watt/thread
M1-4GB	ARMv8.2-A	Cortex-A55	RK3568	4	4	1	4.44 Watt	1.11 Watt/thread
M1-8GB	ARMv8.2-A	Cortex-A55	RK3568	4	8	2	4.44 Watt	1.11 Watt/thread
C4	ARMv8.2-A	Cortex-A55	Amlogic S905X3	4	4	1	3.64 Watt	0.91 Watt/thread

Perhaps surprisingly the C4 model has both the lowest powerdraw and the most modern CPU/SOC, though it is by no means the latest model. The 8Gb model of the M1 has the best RAM per core value, and that is in the BOINC-world a feature to cherish -the N2+, though by far the most powerful ARM-based Hardkernel Odroid model, sometimes falls short in tasks demanding 1GB per task -or more.

As other companies are getting their next models to market in 2023, Hardkernel will be pressed to upgrade their N2-line yet once more, or bring out a N3 model with at least more RAM and preferably a CPU that is ARMv8.2-A or better and includes a NPU. A 12GB Cortex-A710(4)/A510(2) model would secure their position, as that would mean a ARMv9-A architecture -but that is perhaps asking too much for 2023. Quicker would be to use the Amlogic A311D2, a Cortex-A73 (4)/Cortex-A53 (4) SOC as used in the Khadas-VIM4. The actual release leaves me a bit underwhelmed: the new Odroid-N2L -the 4GB model (there's a 2GB model too).

A possible future RK3588 equipped M2 could do with the better, more powerful NPU -and better OS and software support for such a feature.

If they would want a quick upgrade to their C4, let's say a C4+, they could think of using the Amlogic S905X4. For a future Odroid-C5 a Cortex-A510 SOC would also be an option.