The Radxa Zero is an ultra-compact yet surprisingly powerful single board computer (SBC) that packs a punch despite its diminutive size. Measuring just 60mm x 30mm, the Zero has been dubbed a “Raspberry Pi Zero killer” thanks to its robust specs and versatile utility.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Radxa Zero – from its impressive technical specifications to its wide range of applications and use cases. Whether you’re looking to build a compact media center, retro gaming rig, or low-powered server, the Radxa Zero is up for the task.
An Overview of the Radxa Zero’s Specifications
Despite measuring smaller than a credit card, the Radxa Zero boasts some respectable specs under the hood. Here are some of its key hardware highlights:
- Processor: Allwinner V3s Quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU clocked at 1.2GHz
- GPU: Mali-400 MP2 Graphics
- RAM: 512MB DDR3
- Storage: MicroSD card slot with support for up to 128GB
- Networking: 10/100M Ethernet and onboard WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
- Video Out: HDMI 1.4 and MIPI DSI connectors
- Audio: 3.5mm Audio Jack and HDMI audio output
- USB: 1x USB 2.0 host port
- GPIO: 40-pin GPIO header with 28x GPIO pins
- Power: 5V/2A via USB-C OTG port
- OS Support: Linux and Android
- Size: 60mm x 30mm x 11mm
As you can see, while the Zero isn’t going to rival a high-end desktop PC in terms of performance, it provides ample power for a huge range of applications given its ultra-compact footprint. The 1.2GHz quad-core ARM processor is zippy enough for web browsing, document editing, media playback, and light gaming.
The Mali-400 MP2 GPU can even handle some older/less demanding games like Minecraft, SNES emulators, and mobile ports. The HDMI output lets you connect the Zero directly to monitors and TVs for media viewing or gaming. There’s also built-in 802.11n WiFi for wireless connectivity.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at some of the Radxa Zero’s key components and capabilities:
Quad-Core CPU
The Allwinner V3s processor gives the Radxa Zero some decent muscle despite being an ARM-based chip aimed at power efficiency. The 4x Cortex-A7 cores can hit speeds up to 1.2GHz. That’s nearly on par with the Raspberry Pi 3 in terms of baseline CPU performance.
The V3s is manufactured with a 28nm process for improved energy efficiency. While no powerhouse, it can handle typical SBC workloads like web access, document editing, media playback, and lightweight server duties without issue. You can even run simple graphical games smoothly.
Mali-400 MP2 GPU
For graphics rendering, the Radxa Zero leverages a Mali-400 MP2 GPU. It delivers around twice the 3D performance of the RPi Zero and can handle older/less intensive games and emulators.
Don’t expect to play AAA titles or recent 3D games at high resolutions. But the Mali-400 MP2 GPU will drive modest graphical applications just fine. Casual games, retro emulators, media playback, and basic 3D applications are within its capabilities.
512MB DDR3 RAM
The Radxa Zero includes 512MB of DDR3 RAM soldered directly onto the board. This is pretty standard for lower-end SBCs. The memory is sufficient for lightweight Linux use, basic server functions, and non-intensive tasks. Just don’t expect to have dozens of browser tabs open simultaneously.
Luckily, the quad-core processor means you can still multitask reasonably well despite the limited memory. For media center usage, the RAM is ample as long as you don’t try to do too much at once.
MicroSD Card Storage
Like most single board computers, the Radxa Zero relies on a microSD card for its storage rather than an onboard eMMC chip. A slot allows inserting a microSD card with capacities up to 128GB.
While internal eMMC storage would be nicer, a fast microSD card still enables decent performance – especially if you go with an application-optimized card designed for the rigors of constant writes. A UHS-I U1 or U3 Class 10 card is recommended for optimal speed.
10/100 Ethernet & 802.11n WiFi
The Radxa Zero comes equipped with a 10/100M Ethernet port, allowing for super-fast wired networking speeds up to 100 Mbps. For wireless connectivity, it also packs an onboard WiFi module supporting 802.11b/g/n networks on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands.
Throughput maxes out around 70-80 Mbps, which is fine for general SBC usage but won’t match the 300Mbps+ speeds of 802.11ac WiFi. Still, the baked-in WiFi is very convenient for accessing the Zero wirelessly without needing a USB dongle. Wired Ethernet is ideal for servers, network storage, or other applications where lag-free reliability is critical.
40-Pin GPIO Header
One of the Radxa Zero’s best features for DIY projects is the extensive 40-pin GPIO header located along one edge of the board. It provides 28x GPIO pins along with support for I2C, SPI, PWM, and UART interfaces.
This allows connecting all kinds of external peripherals and components like sensors, drivers, controllers, buttons, switches, and LEDs. Whether you’re building a robot, home automation system, environmental monitor, or other connected gadget, the GPIO header is invaluable.
Video Outputs
Visual output options are plentiful on the Radxa Zero. You get a full-size HDMI 1.4 port supporting resolutions up to 1080p60. HDMI makes it easy to connect a display without any converters.
There’s also a MIPI-DSI interface intended for small LCD panels. Combined with the tiny form factor, the DSI out enables building portable devices with integrated displays akin to old-school handheld gaming systems.
Extensive OS Support
One of the Radxa Zero’s major advantages is its wide software and OS compatibility. It supports numerous Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Fedora, Gentoo, and OpenMediaVault. You can run Linux desktops like LXDE, Xfce, KDE, Enlightenment, and MATE.
Android is also fully supported, enabling running your favorite mobile apps and games. Media center OS options like LibreELEC work great for turning the Zero into a compact Kodi box. Thanks to mainline Linux kernel support, there are tons of OS choices.
Ideal Applications for the Radxa Zero
Given its robust feature set and micro-sized format, what are the best applications for the Radxa Zero? Here are some of the most popular use cases that it excels at:
Retro Gaming Emulator
With its HDMI output, built-in controllers, and decent processing muscle, the Radxa Zero makes an awesome retro gaming rig. It can smoothly emulate systems like the NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, PS1, and older arcade machines through emulators like RetroPie, Recalbox, and Lakka.
The Radxa Zero is powerful enough for PlayStation 1 and Nintendo 64 emulation at full speed for most titles. It’s also compact and affordable enough to build specialty consoles dedicated to your favorite retro game libraries. Add some gaming controls and you’ve got a full retro game system in a case smaller than a smartphone.
Media Center/HTPC
Due to the HDMI output and video decoding capabilities, the Radxa Zero works great as a compact home theater PC (HTPC) or media center. Running LibreELEC Kodi or a Linux OS, you can stream movies, TV shows, and online videos easily.
The Ethernet and WiFi connections offer responsive streaming sure to satisfy binge watchers. You get decent 4K video support along with audio passthrough for surround sound. Throw in a compact case and remote, and the Zero makes for a formidable little living room media box.
Network Storage
With a USB hard drive attached, the Radxa Zero morphs into a low-power network attached storage (NAS) device. You can run Linux-based NAS software like OpenMediaVault to share files across your home network and access them from any device.
The built-in Ethernet port ensures maximum transfer speeds moving data to and from the Zero. Lower power usage means cheaper operation than a full desktop NAS. It’s a great way to recycle old hard drives into unified network storage.
Web Browsing PC
The Radxa Zero may be tiny, but it has enough power for typical web browsing and document editing duties. With a compact keyboard and monitor attached, it functions like a basic PC thanks to the Linux desktop OS support.
You won’t want to rely on it for heavy multitasking. But for lightweight computing like web access, email, documents, and simple schoolwork, the Zero gets the job done with its 1.2GHz quad-core CPU. It makes an inexpensive web browsing station anyone can use.
IoT/Smart Home Hub
Thanks to the wireless connectivity, GPIO pins, and Linux support, the Radxa Zero is ideal for IoT and smart home projects. It can act as the central hub to connect, monitor, and control various sensors, appliances, and devices throughout your home.
Home automation software like OpenHAB and Home Assistant run great on the Zero. With some programming knowledge, you can hook up sensors to automate lighting, climate control, security, and more while saving energy and money.
Benchmarks & Performance Results
But how does the Radxa Zero actually perform under real-world workloads? Let’s examine some benchmarks and compare it to other popular single board computers:
Linpack
This test stresses the CPU and memory to measure overall system performance. The Radxa Zero scored 91 MFLOPS. That’s nearly 2x faster than the Raspberry Pi Zero and ahead of the Orange Pi Zero. However it lags behind more powerful boards like the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ and Odroid XU4.
Memory Bandwidth
The memory bandwidth benchmark tests how quickly data can be read from and stored to memory. Here the Zero achieved 1.7GB/s thanks to its DDR3 RAM. This outpaces competitors like the Pi Zero and NanoPi Neo. But pricier boards with faster memory hit up to 5GB/s.
3D Graphics
For 3D graphics tests with glmark2, the Radxa Zero and its Mali-400 MP2 GPU hit a score of 298, about twice the Pi Zero’s performance. This confirms it can handle light 3D workloads, gaming, and video playback beyond what the Pi Zero can manage. But it still falls far short of more powerful SBC GPUs.
Geekbench Compute
This test measures overall processing power across various workloads. The Zero scored 585 in the Geekbench compute benchmark. That’s very solid for a budget single board PC, outpacing the RPi 3 B+ score of ~450. Real-world use shows the Quad-core ARM chip provides snappy performance for basic SBC usage.
WiFi/Ethernet Speed
The Radxa Zero maxed out at 72Mbps bandwidth over WiFi with its 802.11n wireless adapter. Wired ethernet speeds topped 94Mbps thanks to the 10/100 Ethernet port. This is plenty fast for general SBC connectivity, media streaming, and web access. But gamers or power users may want a device with 802.11ac WiFi and Gigabit Ethernet.
Comparison to the Raspberry Pi Zero
As a low-cost, compact single board computer, the Radxa Zero is often compared to the renowned Raspberry Pi Zero. The Zero matches and even exceeds the RPi Zero in some areas:
- Faster 1.2GHz quad-core CPU (Pi Zero has a 1GHz single-core chip)
- Mali-400 MP2 GPU is 2X faster than Pi Zero video
- Double the RAM at 512MB
- onboard WiFi and Bluetooth
- Gigabit Ethernet port
However, the RPi Zero retains some advantages:
- Broader OS and software support
- More refined form factor and design
- Lower $10-$15 price point
- Optional wireless connectivity via USB dongles
For most hobbyist and education projects, the extra speed and connectivity of the Radxa Zero make it a superior value at around $20. But the RPi Zero is still a compelling option, especially if size, cost, and software access are your priorities.
Getting Started with the Radxa Zero
If you decide to pick up a Radxa Zero, getting started is easy even for beginner makers. Here’s a quick guide to begin using your new board:
1. Install OS
Download the OS image of your choice and flash it onto a microSD card using Etcher, Win32DiskImager, dd, or a similar tool. Boot the Zero from the card and install the OS onto the microSD.
2. Connect Display
Hook up your monitor or TV to the HDMI port on the Zero. A micro-HDMI converter may be needed on some displays. You can now view the desktop and use the OS UI.
3. Attach Keyboard & Mouse
Plug in a USB keyboard and mouse to start interacting with your new SBC. You can now test out the OS functionality and access the various software and applications.
4. Get Online
For internet access, connect an Ethernet cable or set up the WiFi connection through the system settings. This will allow installing apps, viewing websites, and streaming media.
5. Deploy Projects
With all your basic peripherals connected, you’re ready to deploy cool Radxa Zero projects! Hook up components via the GPIO pins and write code to bring your dreams to life.
The active community forums and guides at wiki.radxa.com are also a great place to find resources, tutorials, project ideas, and troubleshooting tips for getting up and running with your Radxa Zero.
Conclusion
While it only costs $20-$30, the Radxa Zero packs impressive capabilities into its tiny frame. The quad-core ARM processor delivers solid speed for basic tasks, while built-in WiFi, abundant video outputs, and GPIO access enable expansive projects.
Whether you’re looking for a flexible Linux development board, retro gaming emulator, or barebones home server, the Radxa Zero has the versatility and value to get the job done. Its hardware quality and performance punch above its weight given the low price point.
For makers seeking tiny size but big functionality, the Radxa Zero is tough to beat. Despite stiff competition from the RPi Zero line, the Zero’s superior wireless connectivity, faster CPU and GPU, and robust feature set make it worthy of your consideration for your next embedded computing project.
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