StarFive VisionFive 2 Lite is a cheap(er) RISC-V single-board computer (crowdfunding)

The VisionFive 2 Lite is a credit card-sized single-board computer (SBC) that looks a lot like a Raspberry Pi. But it's actually a smaller, cheaper, and less powerful version of the VisionFive 2 RISC-V SBC that launched a few years ago.

The new model has a slower version of the same processor and loses a few ports and connectors, but picks up optional support for onboard WiFi and Bluetooth. StarFive is taking pre-orders for the VisionFive 2 Lite through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. Rewards start as low as $20 for an entry-level model and devices are expected to begin shipping to backers in October.

That price is for a basic model with just 2GB of RAM and no WiFi, but you can also pay $23 for a 2GB/WiFi model, $30 for a 4GB/WiFi version, or $37 for an 8GB/WiFi configuration.

Retail prices are expected to be about 30% higher after crowdfunding ends, with prices ranging from $28 to $54.

Each version of the little computer is powered by a StarFive JH7110S processor, which is basically a slightly slower version of the JH7110 chip used for the larger model. They both feature four SiFive U74 RISC-V CPU cores (RV64GC) and Imagination BXE-4-32 graphics. But the cheaper version only supports CPU speeds up to 1.25 GHz, while the pricier version can hit speeds up to 1.5 GHz.

A few other key difference are that the VisionFive 2 Lite has:

An M.2 slot with one lane of PCIe 2.0 instead of two lanes

One USB 3.0 port instead of two

One Gigabit Ethernet port instead of two

The older, larger, and faster model also features an extra 4-lane MIPI-DSI connector and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Here's an overview of some key specs for both models:

VisionFive 2 Lite VisionFive 2 Processor StarFive HJ7110S4 x SiFive U74 CPU cores @ 1.25 GHzImagination BXE-4-32 MC1 graphics StarFive HJ71104 x SiFive U74 CPU cores @ 1.5 GHzImagination BXE-4-32 MC1 graphics RAM 2GB, 4GB, or 8GBUp to LPDDR4-2800 Storage microSD card readereMMC (optional)M.2 2242 M-Key (PCIe Gen 2 x1)SPI flash (for bootloader) microSD card readereMMC (optional)M.2 2242 M-Key (PCIe Gen 2 x2)SPI flash (for bootloader) Ports 1 x HDMI 2.01 x Gigabit Ethernet1 x USB 3.0 Type-A3 x USB 2.0 Type-A1 x USB Type-C (5V/3A power) 1 x HDMI 2.02 x Gigabit Ethernet2 x USB 3.0 Type-A2 x USB 2.0 Type-A1 x 3.5mm audio1 x USB Type-C (5V/3A power) Other connectors 1 x MIPI-DSI (2-lane)1 x MIPI-CSI (2-lane)1 x 40-pin GPIO header1 x 2-pin 5V fan header 1 x MIPI-DSI (4-lane)1 x MIPI-DSI (2-lane)1 x MIPI-CSI (2-lane)1 x 40-pin GPIO header1 x 2-pin 5V fan header Wireless WiFi 6Bluetooth 5.4 Optional via dongle Dimensions 85 x 56mm 100 x 74mm Starting Price (at launch) $20 (crowdfunding)$28 (retail) $45 (crowdfunding)$65 (retail)

Both systems support 5V/3A or higher power input via the USB-C port, Power over Ethernet, or using the power pins on the GPIO header.

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