ZimaBoard 2 vs Raspberry Pi 5 vs Odroid – Which one is better?

This article provides an in-depth analysis of ZimaBoard 2, Raspberry Pi 5, and Odroid (specifically ODROID-M1S), addressing their specifications, use cases, and recommendations for different needs. The comparison aims to assist users in selecting the most appropriate single-board computer (SBC) based on their requirements, considering the current landscape as of April 26, 2025.

Introduction

Single-board computers (SBCs) have gained immense popularity due to their versatility, affordability, and compact size, catering to a wide range of applications from education to industrial use. This comparison focuses on three notable SBCs: ZimaBoard 2, Raspberry Pi 5, and Odroid (ODROID-M1S). Each board offers unique features, and the purpose of this analysis is to highlight their strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for various use cases, helping users make informed decisions.

Detailed Description of Each Board

ZimaBoard 2

ZimaBoard 2 is a robust SBC designed for advanced users, particularly those needing a home server, NAS, or AI-driven applications. It is equipped with an Intel N150 processor, assumed to be a low-power x86 CPU suitable for embedded systems. The board supports up to 16GB of DDR5 memory, offering high bandwidth and capacity for multitasking. Storage options include dual SATA interfaces and eMMC, enhancing its capability for large-scale data storage. Networking is a standout feature, with dual 2.5G Ethernet ports providing ultra-fast data transfer speeds, ideal for network-intensive tasks. The MiniDP 1.4 interface supports 4K visuals, making it suitable for media centers. Expansion is facilitated through PCIe 3.0 and GPIO, allowing for the addition of network cards or GPUs, transforming it into a soft router or AI lab. The operating system, ZimaOS, comes pre-installed and supports applications like Plex, Jellyfin, and Home Assistant, offering a user-friendly personal cloud experience. Its strengths lie in high performance for x86 applications and expandability, but it may consume more power compared to ARM-based boards, potentially limiting its use in low-power scenarios.

Raspberry Pi 5

Raspberry Pi 5, the flagship model as of 2025, is renowned for its balance of performance, affordability, and extensive community support. It features a Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz, providing a significant performance boost over previous models. Memory options extend up to 16GB of LPDDR4X, ensuring smooth operation for desktop computing and embedded applications. Storage is flexible, with a MicroSD slot supporting high-speed SDR104 mode and the ability to connect M.2 SSDs via a HAT for faster data access. Networking capabilities include Gigabit Ethernet, 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0, catering to a wide range of connectivity needs. The board supports dual 4Kp60 display output over micro HDMI and has two MIPI camera/display transceivers for advanced multimedia projects. Expansion is supported through a 40-pin GPIO header and PCIe 2.0 x1 via HAT, making it versatile for IoT and robotics. Powered by Raspberry Pi OS, based on Debian, it benefits from a vast ecosystem of tutorials, projects, and add-ons, making it ideal for education, hobby projects, and general computing. Its low power consumption and compact size are advantages, though it may lag behind x86 boards like ZimaBoard 2 for certain compute-intensive tasks.

Odroid (ODROID-M1S)

Odroid, specifically the ODROID-M1S, is a single-board computer from Hardkernel, designed for embedded systems and industrial applications. It features a Rockchip RK3566 quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 processor, with a maximum clock speed of up to 2.0GHz, offering solid performance for its price point. Memory options include up to 8GB of LPDDR4, suitable for many applications but less than the top models of ZimaBoard 2 and Raspberry Pi 5. Storage is enhanced with built-in 64GB eMMC and support for M.2 NVMe SSDs, providing fast and reliable data access. Networking includes Gigabit Ethernet, with Wi-Fi assumed based on typical Odroid models, ensuring good connectivity for network tasks. USB options comprise two USB 3.0 ports and one USB 2.0 port, while display output is supported via HDMI 2.0. Expansion is facilitated through a 40-pin GPIO header and an M.2 slot for PCIe devices, offering decent flexibility for custom projects. Power can be supplied via USB-C at 5V or a 12V DC jack, making it versatile for different setups. The board supports various Linux distributions and Android, with strong community documentation, though perhaps not as extensive as Raspberry Pi’s. Its strengths include a good balance of performance and cost, with built-in storage being a notable feature, but it may lack the raw power of ZimaBoard 2 for high-end tasks and has less community support compared to Raspberry Pi.

Technical Specification Comparison

Below is a table comparing the key specifications of ZimaBoard 2, Raspberry Pi 5, and ODROID-M1S, highlighting their differences and implications for various use cases:

Feature	ZimaBoard 2	Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB)	ODROID-M1S (8GB)
Architecture	x86 (Intel)	ARM (Cortex-A76)	ARM (Cortex-A55)
Processor	Intel N150	Broadcom BCM2712	Rockchip RK3566
Cores	4 (assumed)	4	4
Clock Speed	? (assume 3.4GHz)	2.4GHz	2.0GHz (max)
Memory	DDR5 up to 16GB	LPDDR4X 16GB	LPDDR4 8GB
Storage	dual SATA, eMMC	MicroSD, M.2 SSD	64GB eMMC, M.2 NVMe
Networking	dual 2.5G Ethernet	Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5	Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi (assumed)
USB	4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (assumed)	2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0	2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0
Display	MiniDP 1.4	2x micro HDMI (4Kp60)	HDMI 2.0
Expansion	PCIe 3.0, GPIO	40-pin GPIO, PCIe 2.0 x1	40-pin GPIO, PCIe 2.0 x1
Power	12V DC (assumed)	5V/5A via USB-C	5V via USB-C or 12V DC
OS Support	Windows, Linux, etc.	Linux, Raspberry Pi OS	Linux, Android

• Architecture: ZimaBoard 2’s x86 architecture contrasts with the ARM-based Raspberry Pi 5 and ODROID-M1S, impacting software compatibility, with x86 favoring Windows and certain legacy applications, while ARM is optimized for Linux and mobile-like tasks.
• Performance: ZimaBoard 2 likely offers higher single-threaded performance due to its Intel processor, suitable for compute-intensive x86 tasks, while Raspberry Pi 5’s Cortex-A76 provides better ARM-optimized performance, and ODROID-M1S’s Cortex-A55 is more budget-oriented.
• Memory and Storage: ZimaBoard 2 and Raspberry Pi 5 support up to 16GB, while ODROID-M1S is limited to 8GB, affecting multitasking capabilities. Storage options vary, with ZimaBoard 2’s dual SATA being ideal for NAS, Raspberry Pi 5’s M.2 for speed, and ODROID-M1S’s eMMC for built-in convenience.
• Networking: ZimaBoard 2’s dual 2.5G Ethernet is superior for network-heavy tasks, while Raspberry Pi 5 and ODROID-M1S offer Gigabit Ethernet, sufficient for most users but less future-proof.
• Expandability: ZimaBoard 2’s PCIe 3.0 offers the highest expansion potential, followed by Raspberry Pi 5 and ODROID-M1S with PCIe 2.0, impacting advanced customization.

Performance

While specific benchmark results are not detailed here, general performance characteristics suggest ZimaBoard 2 excels in x86-optimized applications due to its Intel processor, potentially offering higher single-threaded performance for tasks like virtual machines or heavy computational workloads. Raspberry Pi 5, with its Cortex-A76 cores, is likely superior for ARM-optimized tasks, such as running Linux distributions or machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow, with its 2-3x performance increase over Raspberry Pi 4. ODROID-M1S, with Cortex-A55, provides solid performance for its price, suitable for embedded systems but may lag in high-end computing compared to the others. Memory bandwidth, with ZimaBoard 2’s DDR5 and Raspberry Pi 5’s LPDDR4X, likely outperforms ODROID-M1S’s LPDDR4, impacting multitasking and data-intensive applications.

Ecosystem and Software Support

Raspberry Pi 5 benefits from an extensive ecosystem, with a vast community offering tutorials, projects, and add-ons, supported by Raspberry Pi OS and various Linux distributions. ZimaBoard 2, running ZimaOS, has a specific app ecosystem including CasaOS, Plex, and Home Assistant, but may have less community support compared to Raspberry Pi. ODROID-M1S, with strong documentation from Hardkernel, supports Linux and Android, but its community is smaller, potentially affecting ease of use for beginners. This ecosystem difference is crucial, with Raspberry Pi being the most beginner-friendly due to its resources.

Power Consumption and Form Factor

ZimaBoard 2, being x86-based, likely consumes more power, estimated at higher watts under load, suitable for stationary setups but less ideal for portable applications. Raspberry Pi 5 and ODROID-M1S, both ARM-based, offer low power consumption, with Raspberry Pi 5 at 5V/5A via USB-C and ODROID-M1S supporting 5V or 12V, making them ideal for low-power embedded uses. Form factor-wise, all are compact, but ZimaBoard 2 may be larger due to its expansion capabilities, while Raspberry Pi 5 and ODROID-M1S are more pocket-sized, enhancing portability.

Use Case Analysis

• Home Server/NAS: ZimaBoard 2’s dual SATA and high networking make it ideal for running Plex or file storage, with Raspberry Pi 5 suitable for smaller setups via M.2 SSD, and ODROID-M1S’s eMMC offering built-in storage convenience.
• Media Center: All support 4K, but ZimaBoard 2’s MiniDP 1.4 and Raspberry Pi 5’s dual 4Kp60 HDMI are better for high-resolution streaming, with ODROID-M1S adequate for basic needs.
• IoT and Smart Home: Raspberry Pi 5’s GPIO and community support make it top for Home Assistant, with ZimaBoard 2 and ODROID-M1S also viable but less beginner-friendly.
• AI and Machine Learning: ZimaBoard 2’s PCIe 3.0 for GPU expansion is best for local AI, Raspberry Pi 5 supports TensorFlow on ARM, and ODROID-M1S is limited by lower performance.
• Desktop Replacement: Raspberry Pi 5 offers a smooth desktop experience with 16GB, ZimaBoard 2 is powerful but x86-focused, and ODROID-M1S is less suitable due to lower RAM.
• Education and Hobby Projects: Raspberry Pi 5’s vast resources make it ideal, with ODROID-M1S suitable for advanced users, and ZimaBoard 2 less common for beginners.

Cost

Pricing varies, with Raspberry Pi 5’s 16GB model at $120, offering good value for its features. ZimaBoard 2’s price is not specified but likely higher due to x86 and expandability, while ODROID-M1S, at around $70-$100 for 8GB, provides cost-effective performance. Additional costs for accessories like cases, power supplies, and storage should be considered, with Raspberry Pi having the most affordable ecosystem.

Recommendations

• For high-performance computing, especially x86 applications like virtual machines or network-intensive tasks, ZimaBoard 2 is recommended due to its Intel processor and dual 2.5G Ethernet.
• For general-purpose computing, education, or hobby projects, Raspberry Pi 5 is likely the best choice, given its vast ecosystem and balanced performance, suitable for beginners and advanced users alike.
• For embedded systems with a focus on cost-performance, such as industrial applications, ODROID-M1S seems suitable, offering built-in storage and good expandability at a competitive price. Consider user expertise: Raspberry Pi has the most beginner-friendly resources, while ZimaBoard 2 and ODROID-M1S may require more technical knowledge.

Conclusion

This comparison highlights the unique strengths of ZimaBoard 2, Raspberry Pi 5, and Odroid (ODROID-M1S), each catering to different user needs. ZimaBoard 2 excels in high-performance x86 tasks, Raspberry Pi 5 in versatility and community support, and ODROID-M1S in cost-effective embedded solutions. Users should consider their specific use case, architecture preferences, and budget to choose the most appropriate SBC, ensuring alignment with their project goals and technical expertise.

Source: Kickstarter