Gigabyte GA-SBCAP3450: A Souped Up Raspberry Pi Alternative
While the Raspberry Pi reigns supreme as the most popular single-board computer (SBC), tons of Raspberry Pi alternatives compete. Notably, the Odroid XU4 is a top choice with its octa-core processing. Hardware manufacturer Gigabyte offers its GA-SBCAP3450. Learn more about the Gigabyte GA-SBCAP3450, from specs to size.
Gigabyte GA-SBCAP3450: Specs
This new Gigabyte SBC provides a performance punch. You'll find quad-core processing, SATA storage options, USB 3.1 headers, Gigabit Ethernet, and 4K video capabilities. At its core, an Intel processor runs at 2.2 GHz. There's room for as much as 8GB of DDR3 RAM. Moreover, the Gigabyte GA-SBCAP3450 includes a mini-PCIe slot.
However, the main differences in the GA-SBCAP3450 and Raspberry Pi manifest in size and price. While the Pi clocks in around $35 for its flagship Raspberry Pi 3, the Gigabyte single board model retails for $223, or £170. For that price, you can pick up an arsenal of Pi 3s. Yet, this Gigabyte single board PC vastly outperforms the Raspberry Pi 3 which is a more than capable SBC.
Further, the Gigabyte GA-SBCAP3450 is 104mm x 75mm. Its form factor therefore is larger than that of the Raspberry Pi, Odroid XU4, and most traditional SBCs. Coupled with its moderately sized footprint and compatibility with the likes of SSDs, faster networking, and more, the Gigabyte GA-SBCAP3450 is akin to the UDOO BOLT. It's a true beast of a maker board, engineered for hardcore development projects.
The only potential downside is its Celeron N3450 should provide smooth HD playback. Though there's no word on operating system (OS) options, since it's an x86 board, you should be able to install virtually any Linux distribution (distro), and even the desktop version of Windows 10. You won't find certain hardware components from the Pi however such as a 40-pin GPIO header. As such, for a do-it-yourself (DIY) electronics project, the Pi may be a better fit. But sheer processing power and OS compatibility make the Gigabyte GA-SBCAP3450 an excellent choice.
Your turn: will you be picking up this beastly Gigabyte single-board computer?
Moe Long is an editor, writer, and tech buff with a particular appreciation for Linux, Raspberry Pis, and retro gaming. Writing online since 2013, Moe has bylines at MakeUseOf, TechBeacon, DZone, SmartHomeBeginner, DEV.to, DVD Netflix, and Electropages. You can read his writings on film and pop culture at Cup of Moe, check out his tech reviews, guides, and tutorials at Tech Up Your Life, and hear his thoughts on movies on the Celluloid Fiends podcast. Aside from writing and editing, Moe has an online course, the Beginner's Guide to Affiliate Blogging From Scratch. When he's not hammering away at his keyboard, he enjoys running, reading, watching cinema, listening to vinyl, and playing with his dog Sebastian.
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