A single-board computer is a tiny kitchen on one countertop. The SoC (system on a chip) is the stove, burners and oven built into one unit. RAM is counter space, and storage is the pantry. The ports and pins along the edges are the doors and plugs where you connect appliances. The power supply is the gas line: too weak and everything slows. Software support is the cookbook. Great hardware with a thin cookbook makes a frustrating kitchen, so check both.
The SoC (system on a chip) combines the CPU, graphics and other controllers in one chip. It defines most of the board's ability.
When it matters: Search the SoC name for software support. Popular chips get years of updates; obscure ones may be stuck on old kernels.
The instruction set the CPU uses: Arm (most SBCs), x86 (like a regular PC) or RISC-V.
When it matters: x86 boards run standard Windows and PC software. Arm has wide Linux support. RISC-V is newer and many apps are not yet ported.
How many CPU cores the board has and how fast they run, in GHz.
When it matters: Compare only within the same core design. A newer core at the same clock can be much faster. Some boards throttle without cooling.
The manufacturing size of the chip, in nanometers (nm). Smaller usually means more efficient.
When it matters: Hints at heat and power use. Names differ between factories, so it is only a rough guide.
Skip it if: Skip it; check power draw instead.
The graphics part of the SoC, which handles display output, video playback and light 3D.
When it matters: Matters for media centers and emulation. Check that hardware video decoding for your formats works in your chosen OS, not just on paper.
Skip it if: Skip it for headless servers.
An NPU (neural processing unit) speeds up AI tasks. TOPS (trillions of operations per second) rates its peak throughput.
When it matters: Useful for camera object detection and local AI models. TOPS figures are peak ratings, and real use depends on software support for that NPU.
Skip it if you are not running AI workloads.
How much memory the board has, in GB. It is soldered, so choose the size at purchase.
When it matters: 2 to 4 GB suits simple servers and retro emulation. 8 GB or more suits desktop use, containers and AI. RAM cannot be upgraded later.
The memory generation, such as LPDDR4X or LPDDR5.
When it matters: Faster memory helps graphics and AI tasks. It is fixed by the SoC design.
Skip it if: Skip it for light tasks.
Built-in eMMC flash storage, in GB, soldered to the board.
When it matters: eMMC is faster and more reliable than booting from microSD. It cannot be replaced if it wears out.
Skip it if you plan to boot from NVMe.
A slot for a microSD card, often used as the boot drive.
When it matters: Cheap and easy, but slow and prone to wear. Use a quality card with an A2 rating, or move to NVMe for servers.
An M.2 slot or PCIe connector for NVMe SSDs and expansion cards.
When it matters: NVMe boot is much faster and more durable than microSD. Some boards need an add-on board to use PCIe. Link speed is usually a single lane.
Skip it if: Skip it for simple projects.
The wired network speed, and whether the board can be powered through the network cable (PoE, Power over Ethernet).
When it matters: 2.5 Gbps helps NAS and router builds. PoE may need an add-on board and a PoE switch.
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
When it matters: Saves a USB adapter. Wired Ethernet is more reliable for servers.
Skip it if the board stays wired.
The number and speed of USB ports.
When it matters: USB 3 ports are needed for fast external drives. Trap: some USB-C ports only supply power, with no data or video.
How many screens the board drives, at what resolution, and the connector type, often micro HDMI.
When it matters: Micro HDMI needs an adapter or special cable. Check the refresh rate at 4K; many boards only do 4K at 60 Hz or less.
Skip it if: Skip it for headless use.
A ribbon connector for camera modules, usually MIPI CSI.
When it matters: Needed for security cameras and vision projects. Camera modules are often tied to the board's ecosystem.
Skip it if you do not use a camera.
GPIO (general purpose input and output) pins connect sensors, buttons and add-on boards.
When it matters: A Raspberry Pi compatible 40-pin header fits many add-on boards. Trap: pin layout can match while software libraries do not.
Skip it if you do not build electronics projects.
A connector for a cooling fan.
When it matters: Modern boards can throttle under sustained load without active cooling. A fan header makes cooling easy.
Skip it if: Skip it for light, low-power tasks.
An RTC (real-time clock) keeps time when the board is off, usually with a small battery.
When it matters: Important for logging and scheduled tasks without internet. Without it, time resets until the board reaches a time server.
Skip it if the board is always online.
The power connector and the supply the board needs, in volts, amps or watts.
When it matters: Trap: a weak phone charger causes throttling, crashes and limited USB power. Raspberry Pi 5 needs a 5 V 5 A supply for full USB power.
How much power the board uses at idle and under full load, in watts.
When it matters: Low idle draw keeps always-on servers cheap to run. Peak draw sets the power supply size.
Skip it if: Skip it for occasional desktop use.
The board's size and layout standard, such as the Raspberry Pi credit-card footprint.
When it matters: Matching form factors fit existing cases and mounts. Unique layouts need board-specific cases.
The operating systems the maker supports, and the size of the community around the board.
When it matters: Software support matters as much as hardware. Large communities mean guides, fixes and updates for years.