Top 8 Single Board Computers for Efficient AI Processing at Home

Top 8 SBCs for Running AI at Home

Source: XDA Developers

NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano

• Performance: 40 TOPS in AI tasks, supported by Nvidia's Tensor cores.
• Price: $499
• Pros:
  • Advanced Ampere GPU
  • Comprehensive Jetson SDK tools
  • Multiple connectivity options
• Cons: Expensive compared to other SBCs.

BeagleBone AI-64

• Performance: Can reach 8 TOPS through its advanced C7x DSP.
• Price: $183
• Pros:
  • Extensive IO connections
  • Rich documentation for users
• Cons: Limited to 4GB of memory.

Libre Computer Alta

• Performance: 5 TOPS AI accelerator; optimized for budget projects.
• Price: $60
• Pros:
  • Affordable price point
  • Solid hardware encoding capabilities
• Cons: Capped at 4GB RAM, which may limit demanding workloads.

Raspberry Pi 5

• Performance: New quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 CPU, capable of dual 4K display.
• Price: $60
• Pros:
  • Strong community support
  • Expandable with AI accelerator accessories for improved performance
• Cons: Not powerful on its own without enhancements.

Orange Pi 5 Pro

• Performance: Equipped with RK3588S chip; reaches 6 TOPS.
• Price: $109
• Pros:
  • Supports 16GB of memory
  • Good compatibility with various operating systems
• Cons: Lacks extensive documentation and community support.

Odroid H3+

• Performance: Runs on Intel Pentium N6005 with up to 64GB RAM capability.
• Price: $165
• Pros:
  • Excellent for SBC-oriented workloads
  • Supports multiple storage options
• Cons: Higher price compared to alternatives.

Coral Dev Board

• Performance: Powered by Google’s Edge TPU, offers 4 TOPS.
• Price: $140
• Pros:
  • Excellent set of programming tools for developers
• Cons: Lacks performance for price; limited IO functionality.

Khadas VIM4

• Performance: Supports various operating systems; AI capabilities with NPU.
• Price: $189
• Pros:
  • Versatile OS support
  • Solid port selection for a variety of projects
• Cons: NPU performance could be better.

Conclusion

These eight SBCs offer a range of AI capabilities and cater to different budgets and needs. Whether you require top-tier performance or a budget-friendly option, there's an SBC suitable for your AI projects at home.