A compact computer Sipeed Lichee Pi 4A is powered by a RISC-V processor

In recent times, the RISC-V architecture has emerged as one of the most coveted CPU designs, winning the admiration of the developer community, primarily because of its open-source nature. Tech behemoths, including the likes of Intel, have been channeling resources to bolster support for this open-source CPU architecture. Now, the RISC-V architecture isn’t a distant concept for the average enthusiast. The Lichee Pi 4A computing board from Sipeed serves as an accessible gateway for individuals to familiarize themselves with and immerse in the experience.

Renowned for its insights into Single Board Computers (SBCs) and elementary computer knowledge, ExplainingComputers recently unveiled an unboxing video of the Lichee Pi 4A. The presentation delineated the fundamental specifications of this RISC-V-based board and provided a glimpse into its operational prowess. The Lichee Pi 4A, inherently a SO-DIMM format, is tailored for multi-board cluster projects. The retail version, however, comes with an expansion board, replete with HDMI output, dual LAN ports, four USB 3.0 interfaces, wireless Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth capabilities. Additionally, it encompasses GPIO, MIPI, DSI, and CSI, catering to both display and camera functionalities.

Delving into its core, the Lichee Pi 4A boasts an SoC designated TH1520, powered by four 64-bit RISC-V C910 cores, clocking in at an impressive 1.85GHz. Its performance is touted to be double that of its predecessor, rivaling the capabilities of the Raspberry Pi 4. The board also incorporates a 4TOPS NPU and an IMG B-series GPU.

The Lichee Pi 4A comes pre-installed with a custom Debian system. Official support currently extends to OpenWRT and even the Android operating system. Users have the flexibility to flash the on-board eMMC via USB-C or boot the system through a MicroSD card, complemented by an on-board switch. ExplainingComputers’ evaluation revealed that the Lichee Pi 4A’s user experience aligns closely with contemporary ARM-based development boards. Its performance, in comparison to earlier RISC-V architectures, exudes far greater stability. Streaming online videos seamlessly handles 720p resolutions; however, it falters slightly at 1080p, likely attributable to software compatibility issues.