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FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S vs StarFive VisionFive 2: Comparison
FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S vs StarFive VisionFive 2 cpu architecture compared
The first real difference is cpu architecture: FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S ARM against StarFive VisionFive 2 RISC-V. StarFive VisionFive 2 also leads on memory, 4 GB on the FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S versus 8 GB on the StarFive VisionFive 2. There is a split on has ai accelerator / npu as well, Yes on the FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S versus No on the StarFive VisionFive 2. There is a split on wireless as well, None on the FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S versus Bluetooth on the StarFive VisionFive 2.
Which should you buy, FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S or StarFive VisionFive 2?
The FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S is the one to take for OpenWrt or Linux-based home router/firewall builds and multi-gigabit network segmentation projects, though it is not built for GPIO or electronics tinkering (no header) and general-purpose desktop or media-center use. The StarFive VisionFive 2 suits developers porting or testing software on RISC-V and learning an architecture other than ARM/x86, though it is not the pick for buyers needing the widest possible software compatibility and AI/ML workloads (no NPU, modest GPU). Our rating of the FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S (7.9/10): the best small-form-factor board in this list specifically for home router or firewall duty -- dual 2.5GbE in something this small is hard to beat. Our rating of the StarFive VisionFive 2 (7.2/10): the most practical entry point into RISC-V computing today -- genuinely usable as a Linux desktop or NAS, if you're comfortable being on the frontier of a newer architecture.
Frequently asked questions
Do the FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S and StarFive VisionFive 2 differ on gpu model?
Yes. GPU Model reads Mali-G52 2EE on the FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S versus Imagination BXE-4-32 GPU on the StarFive VisionFive 2.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- FriendlyElec
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- StarFive
CPU Architecture
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- ARM
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- RISC-V
Model Number
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- NanoPi R5S
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- VisionFive 2
Memory
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- 4 GB-50%
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- 8 GBBest
Storage Type
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- eMMC
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- NVMe/M.2
SoC Model
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- Rockchip RK3568, Quad-Core Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- StarFive JH7110, Quad-Core SiFive U74 (RISC-V) @ 1.5GHz
Has AI Accelerator / NPU
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- Yes
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- No
Wireless
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- None (Ethernet only)
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- Bluetooth
GPIO Header
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- No
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- Yes
Price
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- 60 USD
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- 60 USD
Use Case
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- NAS / Server
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- General Purpose
GPU Model
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- Mali-G52 2EE
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- Imagination BXE-4-32 GPU
Power Input
- FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S
- 12V/2A DC barrel
- StarFive VisionFive 2
- 5V/3A USB-C
Which one should you pick?
Choose FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose StarFive VisionFive 2 if you want the higher memory (8 GB vs 4 GB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | FriendlyElec NanoPi R5S | StarFive VisionFive 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $60.00 View on Consumercarts listing | $60.00 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 NanoPi R5S
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The best small-form-factor board in this list specifically for home router or firewall duty -- dual 2.5GbE in something this small is hard to beat.
StarFive VisionFive 2
7.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The most practical entry point into RISC-V computing today -- genuinely usable as a Linux desktop or NAS, if you're comfortable being on the frontier of a newer architecture.