The Radxa Rock 5 ITX is a freshly launched Mini-ITX form factor motherboard from Chinese manufacturer Radxa.
It is promising for network-attached storage (NAS) systems and other applications. With its powerful ARM processor, abundant storage options, and wide range of ports, the Rock 5 ITX offers homeowners and SMBs an affordable solution for multi-purpose use cases.
A Powerful Yet Efficient Processor
At the heart of the Rock 5 ITX is the Rockchip RK3588 system-on-chip (SoC). This ARM-based processor packs quite a punch, with four high-performance Cortex-A76 cores.
It can speed up to 2.4GHz and four energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores up to 1.8GHz for balanced computing. The integrated Mali-G610 graphics chip and 6 TOPs neural processing unit (NPU) enable smooth 4K/8K video playback and basic AI tasks.
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Abundant Internal and External Storage
Its bountiful and versatile storage configuration sets the Rock 5 ITX apart for NAS use. The board offers four incredible SATA 6Gb/s ports for directly connecting 3.5-inch hard disk drives or 2.5-inch solid-state drives. An M.2 M-key slot adds support for speedier PCIe NVMe solid-state storage. Rounding it out is an external microSD card slot.
With four drive bays and support for large-capacity HDDs, homeowners can assemble powerful multi-terabyte file servers and backup solutions. SMBs gain a cost-effective way to expand direct-attached storage capacities for workgroups.
Wide Variety of Expansion and I/O Ports
In addition to robust internal storage, the Rock 5 ITX offers a wide assortment of ports for expansion and connectivity. Dual 2.5GbE ports allow for speedy transfers over a local area network. A PCIe M.2 slot activates wireless connectivity via an optional card.
Multimedia outputs include two HDMI ports supporting 8K displays, DisplayPort, eDP, and MIPI DSI interfaces. On the front I/O are HDMI-in, USB 3.0, audio jack, and an SD card reader for convenient access. Power inputs integrate 12V DC, PoE, and standard 24-pin ATX power.
Excellent Value and Versatility
The Radxa Rock 5 ITX price is around USD 120 for a model with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 8GB of eMMC storage – an incredible value considering its features. More memory and storage configurations are available up to 32GB and 32GB, respectively, allowing it to grow with the user’s needs.
While designed with NAS use in mind, the Rock 5 ITX flexibility also makes it suitable for numerous other applications. Homeowners can deploy it as a versatile media streaming device, cable replacement, or lightweight home server. SMBs have opportunities for network storage, simple surveillance, and edge computing tasks. Its general purpose, usefulness, and long-term upgradability provide lasting value.
Hardened OS and Community Support
The Radxa Rock 5 ITX arrives with the Debian-based Radxa OS pre-installed out of the box. This headless-focused distribution maintains stability for prolonged, continuous operation. And for those seeking a more full-fledged experience, mainline Linux distributions like Ubuntu are also options with community support.
Its open nature invites experimentation, too. Influential developers can utilize the NPU and myriad interfaces to explore embedded AI/ML projects. The versatile Mini-ITX form factor allows incorporation into diverse industrial applications as well.
Radxa Rock 5 ITX Specifications
- SoC: Rockchip RK3588 (4x A76 CPU cores up to 2.4GHz, 4x A55 cores to 1.8GHz, Mali-G610 GPU, 6 TOPs NPU)
- Memory: 4GB/8GB/16GB/32GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Storage: 8GB eMMC, microSD slot, M.2 M-key for NVMe SSD, 4x SATA 6Gb/s ports
- Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, audio, microSD, DC power
- Form Factor: Mini-ITX 170x170mm
- Operating Systems: Radxa OS, Ubuntu, Android
- Price: Starting USD 120
- Manufacturer: Radxa
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Conclusion
The Radxa Rock 5 ITX Mini-ITX motherboard presents a compelling package for small and medium-sized NAS setups, home servers, and more. It features a powerful ARM processor, ample storage connectivity, and various expansion interfaces at an affordable price.
It offers excellent value for those seeking a versatile board. Its lasting upgradability and Linux-friendly nature make it a wise long-term investment. For homeowners and light-duty businesses, the Rock 5 ITX deserves strong consideration where a reliable and multi-talented solution is needed.
