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FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 vs Raspberry Pi 5: Comparison
FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 vs Raspberry Pi 5 gpu model compared
They are built to different briefs, and gpu model shows it, FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 Mali-G610 MP4 against Raspberry Pi 5 VideoCore VII, supporting OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2. They differ on connectivity too, 2x 2.5GbE, HDMI 2.1, 2x USB 3.0, USB-C, 4-lane... on the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 versus Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 on the Raspberry Pi 5.
Who each one is for
The FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 suits compact Linux desktop or dev workstation replacement and edge AI inference with NVMe-backed storage, though it is not the pick for ultra-low-budget builds and battery-powered portable projects. Take the Raspberry Pi 5 for beginners, educators, and general hobbyist projects, the safest, most supported entry point into the single-board computer space. It is equally the pick for media center and general computing builds, the 8GB memory configuration and dual 4K video output suit this use case. It is the wrong buy for AI or machine learning workloads, the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super, covered elsewhere on this site, is purpose-built for that need instead. Our rating of the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 (8.5/10): one of the strongest all-around RK3588 boards for developers who want NVMe storage and desktop-class RAM without a carrier board. Our rating of the Raspberry Pi 5 (9/10): the safest all-round single-board computer, where unmatched documentation and community support matter more than raw specifications.
Which is cheaper, FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 or Raspberry Pi 5?
At the last price check the Raspberry Pi 5 was $80.00 and the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 $139, a 74% premium.
Read the full breakdown: Raspberry Pi 5 Alternatives: More Powerful Boards Worth Buying
Frequently asked questions
Do the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 and Raspberry Pi 5 differ on power input?
Yes. Power Input reads 12V/2A DC barrel jack on the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 versus 5V/5A USB-C on the Raspberry Pi 5.
Is the CPU Architecture the same on the FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 and Raspberry Pi 5?
It is. Both are listed at ARM, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- FriendlyElec
- Raspberry Pi 5
- Raspberry Pi Foundation
CPU Architecture
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- ARM
- Raspberry Pi 5
- ARM
Model Number
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- NanoPC-T6
- Raspberry Pi 5
- Raspberry Pi 5 | 8GB Variant
Memory
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 4GB to 16GB LPDDR5
- Raspberry Pi 5
- 8GB LPDDR4XBest
SoC Model
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- Quad Cortex-A76 2.4GHz + Quad Cortex-A55 1.8GHz
- Raspberry Pi 5
- Broadcom BCM2712, Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A76 @ 2.4GHz
Has AI Accelerator / NPU
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- Yes
- Raspberry Pi 5
- No
Price
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 139 USD
- Raspberry Pi 5
- 80 USD
Use Case
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- AI / Machine Learning
- Raspberry Pi 5
- General Purpose
GPU Model
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- Mali-G610 MP4
- Raspberry Pi 5
- VideoCore VII, supporting OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2
Onboard Storage
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 2 GB
- Raspberry Pi 5
- 2 GB
PCIe Interface
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- M.2 M-key PCIe 3.0 x4 (NVMe) + M.2 E-key (WiFi module)
- Raspberry Pi 5
- PCIe 2.0 x1 FFC connector (NVMe via HAT)
RTC Support
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- Yes, onboard battery connector
- Raspberry Pi 5
- Yes, onboard RTC with battery connector (battery sold separately)
Power Input
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 12V/2A DC barrel jack
- Raspberry Pi 5
- 5V/5A USB-C (PD)
Connectivity
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 2x 2.5GbE, HDMI 2.1, 2x USB 3.0, USB-C, 4-lane MIPI-CSI/DSI
- Raspberry Pi 5
- Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
Board Dimensions
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 128 x 105 mm
- Raspberry Pi 5
- 85 x 56 mm
USB Ports
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- 2x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1x USB-C (data)
- Raspberry Pi 5
- 2x USB 3.0 Type-A, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A
Cooling
- FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
- Bundled heatsink, optional fan header
- Raspberry Pi 5
- Official Active Cooler connector
Which one should you pick?
Choose FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Raspberry Pi 5 if you want the higher memory (8GB LPDDR4X vs 4GB to 16GB LPDDR5).
Price comparison
| Retailer | FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 | Raspberry Pi 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $139.00 View on Consumercarts listing | $80.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
One of the strongest all-around RK3588 boards for developers who want NVMe storage and desktop-class RAM without a carrier board.
Raspberry Pi 5
9 / 10 Expert Rating
The safest all-round single-board computer, where unmatched documentation and community support matter more than raw specifications.