Radxa CM3
Expert rating7 / 10
- SoC:
- Rockchip RK3566
- Memory:
- Up to 8GB LPDDR4
- Form Factor:
- Compute Module
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Manufacturer: Radxa Last updated: 2026-09-12
Radxa CM3 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/Pi CM4 Socket Compatible) Review
Radxa CM3 is a system-on-module built on the Rockchip RK3566 that mimics the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4's physical footprint and connectors, so existing CM4 carrier boards and enclosures can be reused with a different SoC.
Designers who built a product around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 but got burned by Pi stock shortages now have a drop-in-ish alternative: the CM3 slots into the same edge-connector carrier boards and physical footprint while running a Rockchip RK3566 instead. It won't match the Pi's software polish, but it keeps existing carrier board designs viable.
Built for Carrier Board Reuse
The CM3 deliberately matches the physical dimensions and connector layout of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, letting OEMs who designed CM4 carrier boards swap in Rockchip silicon without a board respin, which matters enormously when a single-source ARM SoC becomes hard to procure.
RK3566 Capability
The RK3566's quad Cortex-A55 cluster and small NPU handle Android/Linux embedded UIs, light computer vision, and general IoT gateway duty comfortably, though it's a step behind the CM4's Cortex-A72 cores in raw single-thread speed.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, the CM3 offers a real alternative supply chain at a lower price but with less mature software support. It shares its RK3566 silicon lineage with the Orange Pi CM4 module, making them close performance peers aimed at the same carrier-board embedded market.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Radxa |
|---|
Graphics and AI
| AI Performance | 0.8 TOPS |
|---|
| CPU Architecture | ARM |
|---|---|
| Memory | 2GB to 8GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage Type | eMMC |
| Has AI Accelerator / NPU | Yes |
| Wireless | WiFi 5 |
| GPIO Header | No |
| Price | 25 USD |
| Use Case | General Purpose |
| Model | CM3 |
| SoC | Rockchip RK3566 |
| Processor | Quad-Core Cortex-A55 up to 1.8GHz |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EE |
| Storage | 0-128GB onboard eMMC |
| Connectivity | Pi CM4 form-factor edge connectors, requires carrier board |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating7 / 10
A pragmatic supply-chain hedge for CM4-based products, not a board for hobbyist tinkering out of the box.
Best for
- OEM products already using CM4 carrier boards
- Embedded devices needing a second silicon source
- Light Android/Linux HMI panels
Not for
- Hobbyists wanting a ready-to-plug board
- Applications needing CM4-identical software behavior
- High single-thread CPU workloads
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Radxa CM3 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/Pi CM4 Socket Compatible)?
The Radxa CM3 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/Pi CM4 Socket Compatible) is a single board computer from Radxa. Key specs: SoC Rockchip RK3566, CPU Architecture ARM, Processor Quad-Core Cortex-A55 up to 1.8GHz, GPU Mali-G52 2EE, Memory 2GB to 8GB LPDDR4.
Will the Radxa CM3 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/Pi CM4 Socket Compatible) work with my current setup?
The Radxa CM3 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/Pi CM4 Socket Compatible) lists SoC is Rockchip RK3566. 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 Radxa CM3 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/Pi CM4 Socket Compatible) best suited to?
It suits oem products already using cm4 carrier boards, embedded devices needing a second silicon source, light android/linux hmi panels.
What are the drawbacks of the Radxa CM3 (Compute Module/Rockchip RK3566/Quad-Core Cortex-A55/Up to 8GB LPDDR4/Pi CM4 Socket Compatible)?
It is a poor fit for hobbyists wanting a ready-to-plug board, applications needing cm4-identical software behavior, high single-thread cpu workloads.
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