Milk-V Mars CM (Compute Module): Is It Any Good?
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The Milk-V Mars CM, a compact RISC-V-based boar, has generated significant interest due to its compatibility with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) form factor. While it’s not yet a one-to-one replacement for the CM4, its potential as a compute module for products like the DTV Electronics CmRat deserves exploration, especially given the supply challenges for CM4 boards.
This article assesses the Mars CM for its suitability with our flagship product: the CmRat, comparing it to other well known alternatives such as the Radxa CM3, CM5, and CM5 Lite.
The Milk-V Mars CM Overview
Specs and Features
- Processor: StarFive JH7110, RISC-V quad-core @ 1.5GHz
- Memory: 4GB RAM, with options for 16GB eMMC storage
- Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi (reported but inconsistent), Bluetooth
- Interfaces: PCIe Gen 2 (functional but limited throughput), GPIO compatibility with CM4
- Size/Form Factor: Matches CM4, enabling drop-in use in CM4 carrier boards
This board boasts features like PCIe support, essential for adding high-speed peripherals such as SSDs. However, issues such as WiFi instability and the need for manual OS configuration limit its practicality for mainstream use.
How It Stacks Up
Radxa CM3, CM5, and CM5 Lite
The Radxa family of compute modules are Arm-based and offer a range of configurations for different needs. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Feature | Milk-V Mars CM | Radxa CM3 | Radxa CM5 | Radxa CM5 Lite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | RISC-V JH7110 (4-core) | RK3566 (4-core Arm Cortex) | RK3588 (8-core Arm Cortex) | RK3588 (Lite variant) |
| RAM Options | 4GB | 2-8GB | 4-16GB | 2-8GB |
| Storage | 16GB eMMC | 16-128GB eMMC | 32GB-128GB eMMC | None |
| PCIe Support | Gen 2 (Limited Speed) | Gen 2 | Gen 3 | Gen 3 |
| WiFi/Bluetooth | Inconsistent | Yes | Yes | No |
| Power Efficiency | Low | Moderate | High | High |
| Price | $54 (base) | $40-$90 | $120-$150 | $90-$120 |
Key Observations
Performance
The Mars CM’s RISC-V architecture is exciting but significantly slower compared to the Radxa CM5’s RK3588. Geekbench scores highlight this disparity, with the Mars CM achieving around 74 (single-core) versus 400+ for the CM5.
While RISC-V has potential, the Mars CM’s JH7110 chip lacks the optimizations and efficiency of established Arm processors.
Ecosystem and Compatibility
Radxa modules enjoy wider software and hardware support due to Arm’s mature ecosystem.
The Mars CM, while form-factor compatible, struggles with early-stage OS support, which complicates deployment for production.
Cost and Value
For budget-sensitive projects, the Mars CM’s $54 price tag is attractive, especially given its PCIe support and onboard storage. However, its limitations may lead to higher long-term costs in troubleshooting and adaptation.
Special Features
The Mars CM’s RISC-V foundation appeals to innovators exploring open architectures. However, for general-purpose applications or performance-critical tasks, Radxa’s CM5 and CM5 Lite offer better performance and flexibility.
Potential for DTV Electronics CmRat
The CmRat, as a flagship product, likely demands reliability, performance, and ease of integration. Here’s how the Mars CM and its competitors align with these needs:
- Mars CM: A potential fit for niche, experimental use cases where RISC-V exploration is a goal. However, its performance limitations and immature ecosystem make it less suitable for mainstream or demanding applications.
- Radxa CM3: A balanced choice for moderate performance and lower cost, especially for general applications.
- Radxa CM5/CM5 Lite: Ideal for high-performance scenarios. These modules shine in AI, multimedia, or high-bandwidth tasks due to their powerful RK3588 chips and advanced PCIe support.
Bottom Line
The Milk-V Mars CM is an intriguing alternative for RISC-V enthusiasts and projects focusing on openness and experimental architecture. However, for a commercial product like the CmRat, the Radxa CM5 or its Lite version offers a more dependable, high-performance solution.
As RISC-V matures, modules like the Mars CM may close the gap, but for now, Arm-based competitors dominate in practicality and efficiency. The choice ultimately hinges on whether you value pioneering architecture over proven performance.
