In the world of single-board computers, two names are often mentioned as the best ones- Rock 5 and Raspberry Pi 4. Both boards have their advantages and disadvantages, and the decision between the two comes down to your specific requirements. Here, we will compare the features, pros, and cons of both boards to help determine which option would work best for you.

Comparison of Features

The Raspberry Pi 4 is an updated version of its predecessors that include several new features. It is powered by a Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 processor that delivers a massive performance boost over its previous generations. It also features dual-display support, 4K video playback at 60FPS, Gigabit Ethernet, 2 USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and a 40-pin GPIO header. The Raspberry Pi 4B also has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.

The Rock 5, on the other hand, is a new SBC that runs on the Rockchip RK3399 hexa-core processor. It is a very powerful board with impressive specs but considering it is relatively new, it has less community support than the Raspberry Pi. The Rock 5 offers a 4K display that runs at 60 FPS and 4GB DDR4 RAM. It has two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 40-pin GPIO header, and also supports Wireless 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2.

Pros and Cons

Raspberry Pi 4B is more popular than the Rock 5 due to the presence of an active community that provides support to the users when they need it. This huge community also ensures that there are many third-party resources and applications that can be easily shared. It also comes in several memory and storage options, from 1GB to 8GB RAM, and the Raspberry Pi Foundation ensures that it always has a steady supply of accessories.

The Rock 5, on the other hand, is positioned as more of a premium SBC with a stronger focus on performance. It is equipped for industrial use cases and comes with features like fan-less cooling and additional connections like 2x MIPI, PCIe2.0, and DP 1.2. The Rock 5 also allows for heat dissipation through a copper heat sink, making it safe and easy to use without worrying about overheating issues.

Which Should You Buy?

If you are looking for a powerful SBC to use for gaming, coding or multimedia tasks, then the Rock 5 is the right choice for you. However, if you appreciate the larger community and foundation support, then Raspberry Pi 4B is the perfect SBC for you. Moreover, if you are interested in connecting other gadgets and devices to your SBC, then Raspberry Pi’s wide range of ports and accessories will make it easier for you to do so.