Orange Pi 5 Plus vs Rock Pi 4 Model B
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
The Orange Pi 5 Plus is a single‑board computer built around the Rockchip RK3588 SoC, delivering up to 8 CPU cores and a Mali‑G610 GPU for demanding workloads. It supports a full desktop Linux experience and can run AI inference, media transcoding, and edge‑computing tasks. Equipped with dual 2.5 Gb Ethernet ports and an M.2 slot for NVMe SSDs, the board offers high‑speed networking and fast local storage, making it ideal for network‑attached storage, media servers, and industrial gateways.
The Rock Pi 4 Model B is a single‑board computer built around the Hexa‑core Rockchip RK3399 processor, offering up to 4 GB LPDDR4 RAM, dual‑channel eMMC, and a full‑size HDMI 2.0 port for 4K@60Hz output. Its compact 85 mm × 56 mm board includes USB‑C Power Delivery, USB‑3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi‑Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.0, making it suitable for both headless servers and media‑center projects. Designed for hobbyists, developers, and edge‑AI applications, the Rock Pi 4 supports Linux, Android, and various open‑source OS images. The board’s GPIO header, PCIe‑x1 lane (via M.2 slot), and optional carrier boards enable expansion into robotics, AI inference, and networking appliances.
- High‑performance RK3588 SoC
- Dual 2.5 Gb Ethernet for fast networking
- M.2 NVMe slot for rapid storage
- Rich I/O including HDMI 2.1 and USB‑C
- High‑performance hexa‑core CPU
- Native 4K video output
- Expandable storage via M.2 NVMe
- Broad OS support and community
- Limited official Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth options
- Higher power consumption than lower‑end SBCs
- Software support still maturing for some peripherals
- Wi‑Fi module optional for Wi‑Fi 6
- Limited official accessories compared to Raspberry Pi
- Power delivery requires compatible USB‑C charger
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A powerful credit-card-sized computer designed for makers, educators, and hobbyists.
A high-performance single-board computer powered by the Rockchip RK3568 processor.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataOrange Pi 5 Plus offers top‑tier performance and dual 2.5 Gb Ethernet but costs more and lacks built‑in Wi‑Fi, while Rock Pi 4 provides adequate performance, Wi‑Fi, and lower price, making it the safer default for most makers.
Key differences
- •Orange Pi 5 Plus has a more powerful RK3588 octa‑core CPU (up to 2.4 GHz) versus Rock Pi 4's RK3399 hexa‑core.
- •Dual 2.5 Gb Ethernet on Orange Pi 5 Plus vs. single Gigabit Ethernet on Rock Pi 4.
- •Orange Pi 5 Plus includes an M.2 NVMe slot for fast SSDs; Rock Pi 4’s M.2 slot is B‑key for SATA/PCIe but Wi‑Fi module optional.
- •Rock Pi 4 offers built‑in Wi‑Fi 802.11ac (optional Wi‑Fi 6) and Bluetooth 5.0; Orange Pi 5 Plus lacks official wireless.
- •Price: Rock Pi 4 ranges $99–$149; Orange Pi 5 Plus price not specified but implied higher.
Performance
RK3588 octa‑core (2.4 GHz) on Orange Pi 5 Plus outpaces RK3399 hexa‑core on Rock Pi 4.
Build quality
Both are compact SBCs with similar weight; no data on material differences.
Connectivity
Orange Pi 5 Plus provides dual 2.5 Gb Ethernet and M.2 NVMe; Rock Pi 4 has only 1 Gb Ethernet and optional Wi‑Fi.
Power & efficiency
Rock Pi 4 is lighter (~70 g) and likely lower power; Orange Pi 5 Plus noted higher power consumption.
Compatibility
Rock Pi 4’s 40‑pin GPIO is Raspberry‑Pi compatible and open‑source; Orange Pi 5 Plus is not open source.
Price & value
Rock Pi 4 priced $99–$149; Orange Pi 5 Plus price not given, implying higher cost.
Warranty & support
Rock Pi 4 includes a 1‑year warranty; Orange Pi 5 Plus provides no warranty info.
Choose Orange Pi 5 Plus if…
Edge‑AI or media‑server projects needing maximum throughput and dual 2.5 Gb networking.
Choose Rock Pi 4 Model B if…
General‑purpose maker projects where cost, Wi‑Fi, and community support matter.
Common questions
Which board is cheaper?
Rock Pi 4 costs $99–$149; Orange Pi 5 Plus price is not listed, likely higher.
Do both boards have built‑in Wi‑Fi?
Rock Pi 4 offers Wi‑Fi 802.11ac (optional Wi‑Fi 6); Orange Pi 5 Plus has limited official Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth.
Can I use fast NVMe storage on both?
Only Orange Pi 5 Plus has an M.2 NVMe slot; Rock Pi 4’s M.2 slot is B‑key for SATA/PCIe, not dedicated NVMe.