Radxa CM5 Review: Raw Power For Your CmRat

The compute module Radxa CM5, has quickly become the centerpiece of our CmRat product line, offering superior performance and versatility that make it the ideal choice for home servers, Bitcoin Nodes and IoT applications. Positioned as a powerful alternative to the Raspberry Pi CM4 and Radxa CM3, the CM5 brings several key advancements that elevate it to flagship status.

Key Features of the Radxa CM5

At the heart of the Radxa CM5 is the powerful Rockchip RK3588S, an 8-core processor designed to handle heavy computing tasks. It comes in various RAM configurations, from 4GB to 16GB, and includes advanced connectivity options such as dual HDMI outputs, PCIe 3.0, USB 3.1, and Gigabit Ethernet. The CM5 also supports NVMe storage and has a built-in NPU (Neural Processing Unit), making it ideal even for AI and machine learning tasks.

Comparison with Raspberry Pi CM4

The Raspberry Pi CM4 has long been a popular choice for embedded projects and mini-PC setups, but the Radxa CM5 takes a step forward in several areas. Here’s a comparison of the two:

• Processing Power: The Raspberry Pi CM4 uses a Broadcom BCM2711 4-core processor, which is sufficient for general applications but can’t match the 8-core Rockchip RK3588S found in the CM5. For applications requiring multitasking or high compute performance, the CM5 is the clear winner.
• Memory Options: The CM4 maxes out at 8GB of RAM, while the Radxa CM5 offers up to 16GB, providing a significant edge for more demanding applications such as data analysis or video processing.
• Storage: While the CM4 allows eMMC or SD card storage, the CM5 offers PCIe support for NVMe storage, resulting in much faster read/write speeds and overall system responsiveness. This makes it ideal for users looking to run server-based applications or high-speed databases.
• Connectivity: The CM4’s connectivity options are excellent for its price range, but the CM5 takes it further with more USB 3.1 ports, dual HDMI outputs, and better overall bandwidth due to its PCIe 3.0 support. These features make the CM5 a more robust option for users who need to connect multiple peripherals or displays.

Comparison with Radxa CM3

The Radxa CM3, based on the Rockchip RK3566, is another strong contender in the compute module space, but the CM5 offers significant improvements in key areas:

• Processing and Graphics: The CM3’s 4-core ARM Cortex-A55 processor is good for entry-level tasks, but the CM5’s 8-core RK3588S brings not only more CPU power but also a superior GPU (Mali-G610) capable of handling more complex graphics and multimedia tasks.
• AI and ML Capabilities: One of the standout features of the CM5 is its built-in NPU, allowing for up to 6 TOPS of AI processing power. This is a major upgrade from the CM3, making the CM5 the better choice for AI-driven applications.
• Future-Proofing: While the CM3 is well-suited for simple embedded applications, the CM5 offers more future-proofing with its support for higher RAM capacities, faster storage, and better connectivity options. This ensures that the CM5 can handle more demanding applications as they evolve.

Why the Radxa CM5 is Perfect for CmRat Products

At DTV Electronics, our products are designed to give users the freedom, flexibility and performance they need for a wide range of projects. The Radxa CM5 is the perfect fit for this vision, offering unparalleled power, compatibility, connectivity, and expandability.

Whether you’re running a personal cloud, media server, or AI application, the CM5’s top-tier specs ensure that you’ll have the performance headroom for years to come.

By choosing the Radxa CM5 as the flagship compute module for CmRat products, we’re ensuring that our customers get the best in terms of performance, reliability, and future-proof technology.

Promoting Freedom: Radxa CM5 Compatibility Beyond CmRat

At DTV Electronics, we believe in “free as in freedom”—empowering users to choose the hardware that best suits their needs, even if it means considering other platforms. While the Radxa CM5 is the flagship compute module for our CmRat products, it is also highly compatible with a range of other hardware solutions on the market. This compatibility extends the flexibility of the CM5, making it an attractive option for enthusiasts and professionals alike who want the freedom to choose their ideal hardware setup.

Here are some notable examples of hardware compatible with the Radxa CM5, beyond our CmRat:

• 52Pi CM4 Router Board: Originally designed for the Raspberry Pi CM4, the 52Pi CM4 Router Board is also compatible with the Radxa CM5, giving users a more powerful option for building networking solutions or DIY routers. The CM5’s enhanced connectivity and PCIe support can significantly improve networking performance.
• Raspberry Pi CM4 IO Board: The Raspberry Pi CM4 IO Board is one of the most popular expansion boards for the CM4, and it works seamlessly with the CM5 as well. By using the CM5, users can experience a boost in CPU and memory performance while still leveraging the familiar layout and features of the RPi CM4 IO Board.
• DeskPi Super6C: The DeskPi Super6C cluster board allows users to create a cluster of compute modules, typically based on the CM4. With the Radxa CM5, users can take their computing clusters to the next level by utilizing its more powerful CPU and advanced networking capabilities, resulting in faster communication between nodes and more efficient parallel computing.
• Piunora: Known for being an excellent platform for prototyping and development, Piunora is a carrier board that provides easy access to interfaces like USB-C, HDMI, and M.2 PCIe. The Radxa CM5 slots into Piunora just like the CM4, providing developers with more power and resources for complex projects like AI inference, media processing, and edge computing.
• Nebra CM4 Flashstick: Designed to simplify the process of flashing firmware onto compute modules, the Nebra CM4 Flashstick is another device that supports the Radxa CM5. By using this tool, users can quickly and easily load their preferred operating systems or firmware onto the CM5, taking advantage of its enhanced performance capabilities.
• Raspberry Pi CM4 TV Stick: For users looking to create media streaming solutions, the Raspberry Pi CM4 TV Stick is a popular choice. By upgrading to the Radxa CM5, users can achieve smoother media playback, faster load times, and greater support for high-definition content, making it an ideal choice for home entertainment systems or digital signage solutions.

By highlighting the Radxa CM5’s compatibility with a wide range of existing hardware, we underscore our commitment to open ecosystems and user freedom.

While we’re proud of our CmRat, we understand that freedom of choice is essential. Whether you’re building a DIY router, media server, or computing cluster, the Radxa CM5 offers unparalleled performance and compatibility, giving you the tools you need to bring your vision to life—on your terms.