New Raspberry Pi challenger promises 7x the speed at 2x the price

The Odroid-N2 is a powerful single-board computer (SBC) developed by Hardkernel, designed for developers and tech enthusiasts seeking high-performance computing in a compact form factor. With its robust specifications and versatile features, the Odroid-N2 serves a wide range of applications, from media centers and file servers to everyday computing tasks.

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🔧 Hardware Overview

CPU & Architecture
At the heart of the Odroid-N2 lies the Amlogic S922X System-on-Chip (SoC), featuring a hexa-core configuration with four ARM Cortex-A73 cores clocked at up to 1.8GHz and two Cortex-A53 cores at 1.9GHz. This big.LITTLE architecture balances performance and power efficiency. Manufactured using a 12nm process, the SoC ensures minimal thermal throttling, especially when paired with the board’s large metal heatsink.Jumping Bean+10CNX Software – Embedded Systems News+10Geeky Gadgets+10hardkernel.com+4Home Assistant Guide+4ODROID Magazine+4

Memory
The Odroid-N2 is equipped with either 2GB or 4GB of DDR4 RAM, operating at 1320MHz. This high-speed memory offers approximately 35% faster performance compared to its predecessor, the Odroid-N1, which utilized DDR3 RAM at 800MHz. ODROID Magazine

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
For graphics and display tasks, the board integrates the Mali-G52 GPU, operating at 846MHz. This GPU supports advanced graphics APIs and is capable of smooth 4K video playback at 60 frames per second, particularly for H.265-encoded content.

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📺 Multimedia Capabilities

Video Output
The Odroid-N2 supports HDMI 2.1, allowing for 4K resolution at 60Hz with features like HDR, CEC, and EDID. This makes it suitable for high-definition media applications and home theater setups.Geeky Gadgets+2ameriDroid+2Wikipedia+2

Audio Output
Audio connectivity includes a 3.5mm stereo line-out jack and support for SPDIF optical output, catering to various audio configurations.Geeky Gadgets

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🔌 Connectivity and Expansion

USB Ports
The board offers four USB 3.0 host ports, providing high-speed data transfer capabilities for peripherals and storage devices.

Networking
A Gigabit Ethernet port ensures fast and reliable wired network connections. However, the Odroid-N2 lacks built-in wireless connectivity. Users can add Wi-Fi functionality via compatible USB adapters. CoreELEC Forums

Storage Options
Storage flexibility is a highlight, with support for up to 128GB eMMC modules, a microSD card slot, and an 8MB SPI flash for boot management. The board can boot from eMMC, microSD, or SPI flash, offering versatility in storage solutions. hardkernel.com+2ameriDroid+2CNX Software – Embedded Systems News+2

Expansion Header
A 40-pin GPIO header allows for hardware expansion and integration with various sensors and modules, making the Odroid-N2 suitable for embedded and IoT projects.

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🖥️ Operating System Support

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
Hardkernel provides official support for Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, with a kernel version of 4.9.152 LTS. This ensures a stable and long-term supported environment for various applications. hardkernel.com+3hardkernel.com+3linuxgizmos.com+3

Android 9 Pie
The board also supports Android 9 Pie, offering a familiar interface for users and developers interested in Android-based applications. Hardkernel has released a full source code BSP and pre-built images for this OS.

Graphics Drivers
While the Mali-G52 GPU lacks support for the X11 Window System, efforts are underway to enable GPU acceleration through the Panfrost open-source driver, aiming to enhance graphics performance on Linux platforms.

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💵 Pricing and Availability

As of its release, the Odroid-N2 was priced at $63 for the 2GB RAM version and $79 for the 4GB RAM version. The board became available for purchase in late March, with shipments starting in early April. linuxgizmos.com

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🆚 Comparison with Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+

Performance
The Odroid-N2 outperforms the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ in several areas, including CPU speed, memory bandwidth, and GPU capabilities.

Memory
While the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ comes with 1GB of LPDDR2 RAM, the Odroid-N2 offers up to 4GB of faster DDR4 RAM.

Connectivity
The Odroid-N2 provides four USB 3.0 ports and true Gigabit Ethernet, compared to the Raspberry Pi’s USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet limited to approximately 300Mbps.

Wireless Support
Unlike the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, which includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the Odroid-N2 lacks native wireless connectivity, requiring external adapters for such functionality.

Community and Support
The Raspberry Pi benefits from a vast community, extensive documentation, and a wide range of accessories, making it more accessible for beginners. The Odroid-N2, while powerful, is better suited for users with more advanced technical knowledge.

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🔚 Conclusion

The Odroid-N2 stands out as a high-performance SBC, ideal for applications requiring robust processing power, such as media centers, servers, and development platforms. While it lacks built-in wireless connectivity and the extensive community support of the Raspberry Pi, its superior hardware specifications make it a compelling choice for advanced users and developers.

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🔗 References

• Hardkernel Odroid-N2 Product Page: https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-n2-with-4gbyte-ram-2/hardkernel.com+4hardkernel.com+4hardkernel.com+4

• ODROID Magazine Article: https://magazine.odroid.com/article/odroid-n2-run-ubuntu-18-04-and-android-pie-with-hardkernels-newest-lightning-fast-single-board-computer/ODROID Magazine

• CNX Software Review: https://www.cnx-software.com/2019/02/13/odroid-n2-amlogic-s922x-sbc/YouTube+4CNX Software – Embedded Systems News+4CNX Software – Embedded Systems News+4

• Hardkernel Blog: https://www.hardkernel.com/blog-2/odroid-n2/hardkernel.com

• CoreELEC Forum Discussion: https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/odroid-n2-no-wifi-with-rtl8821cu-usb-adapter/42867CoreELEC Forums+1CoreELEC Forums+1

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