Sipeed LicheePi 4A
Expert rating6.9 / 10
- SoC:
- Alibaba T-Head TH1520
- CPU:
- Quad-Core RISC-V C910 @ 1.85GHz
- Memory:
- Up to 16GB LPDDR4X
- Storage:
- microSD + M.2 NVMe
- Price:
- $99
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Manufacturer: Sipeed Last updated: 2026-09-14
Sipeed LicheePi 4A Review
Sipeed LicheePi 4A single-board computer powered by Alibaba's T-Head TH1520 RISC-V SoC, up to 16GB LPDDR4X RAM, a 4 TOPS integrated NPU, WiFi 6, M.2 NVMe storage, and a 40-pin GPIO header.
The LicheePi 4A pushes RISC-V further than most boards attempt, pairing a genuinely capable NPU with up to 16GB of RAM -- more memory than almost any competing RISC-V board -- making it the closest thing to an RK3588-class experience currently available outside ARM.
Overview
T-Head's TH1520 was designed with AI workloads in mind, and Sipeed built the LicheePi 4A around it with unusually generous memory options (up to 16GB) for a RISC-V board on a 105 x 76mm PCB, positioning it as a serious development platform rather than just an architecture demo.
Performance & Connectivity
The onboard 4 TOPS NPU supports RISC-V-native and ported ONNX/TVM toolchains for edge inference, while WiFi 6, an M.2 NVMe slot, dual MIPI-CSI camera inputs, and a 40-pin GPIO header give it connectivity on par with high-end ARM boards, though software maturity still trails Rockchip's RKNN ecosystem.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against the StarFive VisionFive 2, the LicheePi 4A offers more RAM and a functioning NPU but a less mature mainline Linux distro story at present. Compared to ARM AI boards like the Radxa ROCK 5B, it's the more architecturally ambitious pick for developers specifically exploring RISC-V AI toolchains rather than chasing maximum inference throughput. Compared to the ARM FriendlyElec NanoPC-T6 in this catalog, which matches its 16GB RAM ceiling, the LicheePi 4A offers a functioning NPU and WiFi 6 but trails badly in mainline software maturity, since RK3588's RKNN toolchain and Debian/Ubuntu images are far more mature than TH1520's early-stage RISC-V ecosystem.
Our verdict
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating6.9 / 10
The most ambitious RISC-V AI board available today, but its software stack is still catching up to what its hardware promises -- best suited to developers who want to be early rather than comfortable.
Best for
- Developers exploring RISC-V AI/NPU toolchains early
- RAM-hungry RISC-V projects (up to 16GB)
- Experimenting with M.2 NVMe on a RISC-V board
Not for
- Production AI deployments needing mature tooling
- Buyers wanting the broadest available software support
- Anyone new to Linux who needs maximum community help
Specifications
What these specs meanIdentity
| Brand | Sipeed |
|---|---|
| Model Number | LicheePi 4A |
Processor
| SoC Model | Alibaba T-Head TH1520, Quad-Core RISC-V C910 @ 1.85GHz |
|---|
Graphics and AI
| GPU Model | Imagination BXE-4-32 MC1 |
|---|
Networking
| Ethernet Speed | Gigabit Ethernet |
|---|
Display
| Video Outputs | 1 outputs |
|---|
Expansion
| RTC Support | Yes, onboard battery connector |
|---|
Power
| Power Input | 5V/3A USB-C (PD) |
|---|
| CPU Architecture | RISC-V |
|---|---|
| Memory | 16 GB |
| Storage Type | NVMe/M.2 |
| Has AI Accelerator / NPU | Yes |
| Wireless | WiFi 6 |
| GPIO Header | Yes |
| Price | 99 USD |
| Use Case | AI / Machine Learning |
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Sipeed LicheePi 4A (Single-Board Computer/T-Head TH1520/Quad-Core RISC-V C910 1.85GHz/Up to 16GB LPDDR4X/4 TOPS NPU)?
Key specs for the Sipeed LicheePi 4A: CPU Architecture RISC-V, GPU Imagination BXE-4-32 MC1, Storage Type NVMe/M.2, Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet, USB Ports 2x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1x USB-C (OTG/power), Video Output 1x HDMI 2.0 (4K30), 1x eDP, MIPI-DSI.
Will the Sipeed LicheePi 4A (Single-Board Computer/T-Head TH1520/Quad-Core RISC-V C910 1.85GHz/Up to 16GB LPDDR4X/4 TOPS NPU) work with my current setup?
The Sipeed LicheePi 4A (Single-Board Computer/T-Head TH1520/Quad-Core RISC-V C910 1.85GHz/Up to 16GB LPDDR4X/4 TOPS NPU) lists Processor is Alibaba T-Head TH1520, Quad-Core RISC-V C910 @ 1.85GHz. 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 Sipeed LicheePi 4A (Single-Board Computer/T-Head TH1520/Quad-Core RISC-V C910 1.85GHz/Up to 16GB LPDDR4X/4 TOPS NPU) best suited to?
Best suited to: Developers exploring RISC-V AI/NPU toolchains early; RAM-hungry RISC-V projects (up to 16GB); Experimenting with M.2 NVMe on a RISC-V board.
What are the drawbacks of the Sipeed LicheePi 4A (Single-Board Computer/T-Head TH1520/Quad-Core RISC-V C910 1.85GHz/Up to 16GB LPDDR4X/4 TOPS NPU)?
Not the best fit for: Production AI deployments needing mature tooling; Buyers wanting the broadest available software support; Anyone new to Linux who needs maximum community help.
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