The Top 10 x86 SBC Single Board Computers for Makers

Single board computers (SBCs) have become increasingly popular in recent years among hobbyists, makers, and engineers looking for compact, low-cost computing platforms. x86 SBCs, based on Intel or AMD processors, offer desktop PC performance in a tiny form factor and are ideal for applications like embedded systems, industrial automation, edge computing, and more.

In this post, we’ll take a look at the 10 best x86 single board computers available in 2023 for makers and DIY enthusiasts. We’ll cover key specs, features, pros and cons of each SBC to help you pick the right one for your project.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an x86 SBC

Here are some key factors to keep in mind when selecting an x86 single board computer:

• Processor: The CPU impacts performance – newer generations like Intel 10th gen or AMD Ryzen tend to be faster. Pay attention to number of cores, clock speeds and TDP.
• RAM: Memory ranging from 2GB to 16GB. More RAM allows running more resource intensive applications.
• Storage: SSD/eMMC or microSD cards. Faster storage improves boot times and disk performance.
• Size: SBC sizes include thin mini-ITX, 3.5”, 4” and larger. Consider size constraints of your use case.
• Ports: UART, USB 2.0/3.0, Ethernet, HDMI, DP, wireless, GPIO – pick SBC with required I/O.
• OS Support: Many boards support Linux/Windows. Some have driver issues on certain OSes.
• Power: Lower TDP boards can run off USB power. Higher TDP chips may need a power brick.
• Community: Look for active forums/wikis for help with technical issues.

With these criteria in mind, let’s look at 10 of the best x86 SBCs available for makers and hobbyists.

1. LattePanda Delta – Powerful Windows & Android Platform

The LattePanda Delta is one of the most powerful x86 single board computers that offers desktop-grade performance. It features an Intel 10th gen, quad core, 8 thread Core i5-8259U processor with Intel Iris Plus 655 graphics clocked at 2.3GHz (3.8GHz boost).

The LattePanda comes with 8GB DDR4 RAM, 64GB eMMC storage and runs Windows 10 Pro out of the box. It supports Android 9 as a dual boot option. The 112 x 110mm board has rich I/O including Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, mPCIe and M.2 2280 slots.

With its high performance x86 processor, ample RAM and native Windows/Android support, the LattePanda Delta is great for running full-fledged applications, embedded projects, machine learning and much more. It has a strong community forum for help and accessories like cases and power supplies. Overall, it provides excellent value considering its premium specs and sub $300 price tag.

Pros:

• Intel Core i5-8259U processor and Iris Plus graphics
• 8GB DDR4 RAM and 64GB eMMC storage
• Windows 10 Pro and Android 9 support
• Solid I/O – Ethernet, HDMI, USB 3.0
• Great performance for the price

Cons:

• Higher 5W to 15W TDP requires external power brick
• mPCIe slot doesn’t have SIM slot for cellular

2. UP Xtreme – Feature Rich Board with 10th Gen Intel

The UP Xtreme is an impressive x86 single board computer rocking a hexa core 10th generation Intel Core i7-10710U processor with 6 cores, 12 threads and speeds up to 4.7 GHz. It also has Intel UHD graphics on board.

The UP Xtreme pairs the i7-10710U with 16GB of DDR4 RAM which can be expanded to 64GB. Storage options include 128GB SSD, 256GB NVMe SSD or optional microSD card. The SBC runs Windows 10 or Linux operating systems.

This well-designed SBC offers a great selection of I/O ports including HDMI, DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Type C, four USB 3.0 ports, 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet and M.2 PCIe x1 socket. The board is larger at 125 x 110mm but provides mounting for heat sinks and fans.

With its fast hexa core Intel CPU, plethora of ports and extensive storage/memory, the UP Xtreme delivers excellent performance for IoT, automation and embedded applications. It’s a little pricey but worth it for the top notch specifications.

Pros:

• Intel Core i7-10710U hexa core processor
• 16GB DDR4 RAM and 128GB SSD
• Great selection of I/O ports
• Windows 10 and Linux support

Cons:

• Fairly expensive at around $600
• Larger 125 x 110mm size

3. ASRock 4×4 BOX-4800U – AMD Powered Board with Radeon Graphics

The ASRock 4×4 BOX-4800U is built around AMD’s impressive 7nm Ryzen 7 4800U mobile processor with 8 cores, 16 threads and Vega 8 graphics on-board. Clock speeds go up to 4.2 GHz.

This SBC comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM out of the box and has one M.2 2280 slot for SSD storage. It includes HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, 2.5GbE Ethernet and onboard WiFi as part of its I/O selection.

The 4×4 Box runs Windows 10 natively and also supports various Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Debian etc. The 120 x 120 mm board has a fanless design and 15W TDP for the AMD APU makes it suitable for passive cooling cases.

With leading edge AMD Zen 2 performance, Radeon graphics and abundant memory, the 4×4 BOX-4800U offers excellent value for embedded applications, maker projects, digital signage and edge servers. It’s priced very competitively under $300.

Pros:

• AMD Ryzen 7 4800U 8 core/16 thread processor
• Vega 8 graphics with HDMI 2.0 and DP 1.4
• 16GB DDR4 RAM and M.2 SSD slot
• Fanless design with 15W TDP

Cons:

• Fewer USB ports than some alternatives
• No eMMC flash storage on board

4. UDOO Bolt V3 – Rugged Board for AI, Robotics, IoT

The UDOO Bolt V3 is a rugged, feature-packed x86 maker board designed for AI, robotics, and embedded IoT applications. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen Embedded V1000 V1605B quad core SoC clocked at 2.0 GHz (up to 3.6 GHz boost) and paired with Radeon Vega 8 graphics.

The Bolt V3 comes in 2GB, 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4 RAM options which is soldered for better durability. It has 32GB eMMC and microSD slot for storage. Connectivity includes HDMI 2.0, USB 3.0 Type-C with DP alt mode, USB 3.0 host ports, Gigabit Ethernet and M.2 E key for WiFi modules.

This 120 x 120mm SBC supports Arduino and runs Linux or Win10 IoT out of the box. It provides industrial-grade features like 9-36V DC input range, -20C to 70C operating temperatures and vibration resistance. Multiple developer friendly add-ons are available.

With its rugged design, open hardware/software interface and ample compute for machine learning applications, the UDOO Bolt V3 is ideal for robotics, industrial automation, vehicles, and other embedded use cases that require reliability and AI performance.

Pros:

• AMD V1605B Ryzen Embedded processor
• Industrial-grade features like wide temp range
• Multiple RAM, storage and OS options
• Arduino compatible and hardware extensions

Cons:

• 2GB base RAM is lower than some alternatives
• No WiFi/BT included on board

5. ASUS Tinker Board 2 – Raspberry Pi-like SBC for Tinkerers

The ASUS Tinker Board 2 is one of the newest and most powerful Raspberry Pi-like x86 single board computers aimed at makers and hobbyists. It uses a quad core Intel Celeron N5105 Jasper Lake processor clocked at 2.0 GHz (2.9 GHz burst).

The Tinker Board 2 comes with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and adds 16GB eMMC flash storage. Its HDMI 2.0b port can output 4K video. Other I/O includes Gigabit Ethernet, four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, GPIO header and microSD slot for expansion. It supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

This 85 x 55mm maker board is compatible with Raspberry Pi HAT add-ons and runs Linux distributions like Debian, Ubuntu, Kali Linux, and more. The low 10W TDP allows passive cooling for noiseless operation. Its affordability under $150 makes the Tinker Board 2 appeal to tinkerers and DIYers.

Pros:

• Quad core Intel Jasper Lake Celeron N5105 processor
• 4GB RAM and 16GB eMMC flash storage
• Raspberry Pi form factor and HAT add-on compatibility
• WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 built-in

Cons:

• Fewer USB ports than larger boards
• 4GB RAM limits heavier workloads

6. MINISFORUM U820 – Tiny Fanless PC for Desktop Uses

The MINIFORUM U820 is more of a miniature fanless desktop PC than a traditional single board computer, packaged into a compact 0.7-liter chassis. It comes with Windows 10 pre-installed.

Powered by an Intel Celeron J4125 quad core Gemini Lake processor and Intel UHD 600 graphics, the U820 delivers good desktop performance for basic office apps, web browsing, media playback and light gaming. It supports up to 32GB DDR4 RAM and has two SATA III slots for storage.

Connectivity on the U820 includes HDMI 2.0, mini DisplayPort, four USB 3.0 ports, a USB Type-C port, Gigabit Ethernet, 3.5mm audio jack and MicroSD slot. Dual band WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 are built-in. The lack of fans allows silent operation.

Measuring just 5 x 3.2 x 1.5-inches, the MINISFORUM U820 is extremely compact and portable. It makes for a capable low-power desktop for simple productivity, media center, network storage or HTPC applications. The price is also affordable at under $240.

Pros:

• Compact 0.7L fanless chassis
• Intel J4125 quad core processor
• Dual storage slots and up to 32GB RAM
• HDMI 2.0, mini DP and USB ports

Cons:

• 10W TDP requires external power brick
• No USB Type-C video output

7. AAEON GENE-APL6 – Rugged, Industrial SBC with Apollo Lake

The AAEON GENE-APL6 is a rugged industrial grade x86 single board computer powered by an Intel Celeron N3350 Apollo Lake SoC. The dual core, quad threaded Celeron is clocked at 1.1 GHz with a 2.4 GHz burst clock.

This 110 x 110mm SBC features onboard 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, 32GB eMMC storage, M.2 B-Key for SSD and microSD slot for expansion. It provides a wealth of I/O including 3x GbE, 4x USB 3.0, 3x COM ports, SATA III, full size PCIe and more.

Designed for industrial applications, the GENE-APL6 withstands -20°C to 70°C temps, 95% humidity, shocks up to 50G and vibration up to 3 Grms. It has trustworthy security features like TPM 2.0 and WDRM 2.0. The board runs Linux, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise or Android.

With its rugged reliability, I/O richness and Apollo Lake performance, the GENE-APL6 works well for automation, transportation, smart cities and rugged embedded applications needing compact, industrial-grade compute.

Pros:

• Rugged design sustains wide temp, vibration, shocks
• Rich I/O including triple GbE, COM, USB 3.0
• TPM 2.0 and WDRM 2.0 security features
• Long-term support till 2026

Cons:

• Dual core Celeron N3350 is lower performance
• No onboard WiFi or Bluetooth

8. Advantech SOM-6894 – Rugged Mini PC for Embedded Use

The Advantech SOM-6894 is a highly compact, rugged system-on-module based on 6th gen Intel Core U-series processors. It’s designed for embedded applications requiring reliability, long-term availability and compact footprint.

This tiny 95 x 95 mm SOM comes with Intel Skylake Core i7-6600U, i5-6300U or i3-6100U CPUs with Intel HD 520 graphics. You can get up to 32GB DDR4 RAM, 128GB SSD storage and onboard WiFi/BT.

For I/O, the SOM-6894 offers triple display interfaces with HDMI, LVDS and eDP, dual Intel i210 GbE controllers, six USB 3.0 ports, and PCIe x4 connection to a carrier board. Ruggedness features include industrial temperature rating and shock/vibration resistance.

The Advantech SOM-6894 enables high performance embedded applications needing reliability, small footprint and long-term availability. It’s ideal for automation, medical, IoT gateway and transportation use cases and backed by a 7+ year lifecycle.

Pros:

• Ultra compact 95 x 95mm form factor
• 6th gen Skylake Intel Core U-series processors
• Rugged design with industrial temp rating
• 7+ year long-term availability

Cons:

• Requires carrier board for full I/O functionality
• Older Skylake CPUs, lacks newer instruction sets

9. Eurotech CPU-162-23 – Feature Rich Transportation Computer

The Eurotech CPU-162-23 is a rugged, railway certified x86 SBC designed specifically for transit and transportation applications. It’s powered by an Intel Atom x5-E3940 Apollo Lake SoC with 4 cores and supports -40 to 70°C temperatures.

This transportation computer features 2GB soldered RAM, 32GB eMMC and swappable SATA SSD. It offers rich I/O like 2x GbE, 3x USB, 3x COM ports, CAN bus, GPS and camera interfaces to connect a variety of sensors and peripherals.

The CPU-162-23 withstands shock, vibration, humidity and thermal stresses common in trains, buses, stations and other transit environments. It meets stringent EMC and safety standards for rolling stock. The board can run EN 50155 certified Linux or Windows 10 IoT.

With its transportation certifications, ruggedness and I/O flexibility, the Eurotech CPU-162-23 provides reliable embedded computing for rolling stock, infotainment systems and smart city applications.

Pros:

• EN 50155 railway compliance for rolling stock
• Rugged design withstands shock, vibration, temps
• Flexible I/O options including CAN bus
• Ready for train, bus and transit deployments

Cons:

• Low power Atom x5 and just 2GB RAM
• No onboard WiFi or Bluetooth

10. Radxa ROCK Pi X – Low Cost Development Board

The Radxa ROCK Pi X is an affordable single board computer designed for developers, students and makers seeking low-cost x86 computing power. It’s powered by an Intel Atom x5-Z8300 quad core processor clocked at 1.44 GHz (1.84 GHz burst) and has an Intel Gen8 GPU.

The ROCK Pi X comes in 1GB, 2GB or 4GB RAM options, with up to 64GB microSD storage support. It provides GPIO, MIPI-CSI, earphone jack, M.2 E key and 40-pin IDE header as expansion options. OS images for Android and various Linux distros are available.

Despite its low cost under $50, this SBC offers good connectivity like Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band WiFi ac, Bluetooth 4.0, HDMI 2.0 up to 4K resolution, and four USB ports. The 85 x 55 mm board serves well for learning and developing on x86.

Pros:

• Very affordable pricing under $50
• Intel Atom x5-Z8300 quad core processor
• microSD storage, WiFi ac, GbE, 4x USB ports
• Active community forum for support

Cons:

• Lower performance Atom CPU
• 1GB base RAM is quite limited

Conclusion

For makers, hobbyists and engineers, x86 based single board computers provide an affordable way to harness the power of desktop-class processors in a compact form factor. From DIY home automation to industrial embedded systems, this new generation of x86 SBCs can deliver ample performance for your needs.

In this roundup, we looked at 10 top options that offer great value. Boards like the LattePanda Delta, UP Xtreme and ASRock 4×4 BOX pack a punch with high performance Intel 10th gen and AMD Ryzen processors. For industrial applications, the UDOO Bolt V3, AAEON GENE-APL6 and Advantech SOM-6894 provide rugged reliability. More affordable options like the ASUS Tinker Board 2 and Radxa ROCK Pi X appeal to new makers.

Consider your performance, budget, connectivity, and durability needs when picking an x86 SBC for your project. With their desktop-like CPUs, these tiny boards open up new possibilities for innovators and DIY enthusiasts. The x86 SBC ecosystem continues to grow rapidly with exciting new products. We can expect even more powerful and feature-packed options arriving in 2023 and beyond.