Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro
Expert rating7 / 10
- SoC:
- Rockchip RK3576
- RAM:
- 8GB LPDDR4X
- NPU:
- 6 TOPS
- Connectivity:
- 2x Gigabit Ethernet
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Manufacturer: Banana Pi Last updated: September 10, 2026
Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro (RK3576 / 8GB RAM / 6 TOPS NPU / Dual GbE) Review
The Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro is a single-board computer with a Rockchip RK3576 octa-core SoC, 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, a 6 TOPS NPU for edge AI, and dual Gigabit Ethernet for network appliance projects.
The BPI-M5 Pro brings a genuinely capable onboard NPU into our SBC lineup at a price well below the Jetson Orin Nano Super, alongside dual Gigabit Ethernet that makes it a strong fit for network appliance and edge AI projects that need more than one wired connection. 6 TOPS is meaningfully more AI inference capability than the Khadas VIM4's onboard NPU, at a price point still well under dedicated AI boards, a genuine middle-ground option for edge AI hobbyist projects. Two built-in GbE ports is rare at this price point, useful for routing or dual-network-segment projects without a USB Ethernet adapter.
6 TOPS NPU for Edge AI on a Budget
That's meaningfully more AI inference capability than the Khadas VIM4's onboard NPU, at a price point still well under dedicated AI boards like the Jetson Orin Nano Super, a genuine middle-ground option for edge AI hobbyist projects.
Dual Gigabit Ethernet Out of the Box
Two built-in GbE ports is rare at this price point, useful for routing, network appliance, or dual-network-segment projects without needing a USB Ethernet adapter.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against our own Khadas VIM4, both target edge AI use cases, the BPI-M5 Pro's higher NPU rating and dual Ethernet give it an edge for network-focused AI projects. Against our own NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super, the Jetson offers far more raw AI compute for serious ML workloads, the BPI-M5 Pro is the budget-friendly option for lighter inference tasks.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Banana Pi |
|---|
| Model | BPI-M5 Pro |
|---|---|
| SoC | Rockchip RK3576 |
| GPU | Mali-G52 |
| NPU | 6 TOPS |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Connectivity | 2x Gigabit Ethernet |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating7 / 10
A budget-friendly edge AI and network appliance board with dual Ethernet and a capable 6 TOPS NPU.
Best for
- Edge AI and network appliance projects needing dual Ethernet and solid onboard NPU performance on a budget.
Not for
- Serious ML training or inference workloads, the Jetson Orin Nano Super offers far more raw compute for that.
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro (RK3576 / 8GB RAM / 6 TOPS NPU / Dual GbE)?
The Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro (RK3576 / 8GB RAM / 6 TOPS NPU / Dual GbE) is a single board computer from Banana Pi. Key specs: SoC Rockchip RK3576, GPU Mali-G52, NPU 6 TOPS, RAM 8GB LPDDR4X, Connectivity 2x Gigabit Ethernet.
Will the Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro (RK3576 / 8GB RAM / 6 TOPS NPU / Dual GbE) work with my current setup?
The Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro (RK3576 / 8GB RAM / 6 TOPS NPU / Dual GbE) lists SoC is Rockchip RK3576. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro (RK3576 / 8GB RAM / 6 TOPS NPU / Dual GbE) best suited to?
It suits edge ai and network appliance projects needing dual ethernet and solid onboard npu performance on a budget..
What are the drawbacks of the Banana Pi BPI-M5 Pro (RK3576 / 8GB RAM / 6 TOPS NPU / Dual GbE)?
It is a poor fit for serious ml training or inference workloads, the jetson orin nano super offers far more raw compute for that..
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