The ODROID-H4 is a new series of single-motherboard computers from a manufacturer that bet on the x86 architecture for this type of solution. And they are much less common than ARM-based ones.

ODROID-H4 are the most powerful boards that Hardkernel has made and will sell to date three different versions, base, Plus and Ultra. All use Intel Alder Lake-N processors. The first two use Intel 97 with 4 cores and 4 threads with a frequency of up to 3.6 GHz and a TDP of 12 watts. The most powerful one has a Core i3-N305 with 8 cores / 8 threads and a frequency of 3.8 GHz They have integrated Intel UHD graphics with 24 and 32 execution units respectively.

Three models can equip up to 48 GB of DDR5 memory at 4800 MHz It’s another of the big differences between an x86 board and an ARM board like the one that dominates the sector, the Raspberry Pi. They have an NVMe slot for installing PCIe Gen 3 x4 SSDs.

In square format with dimensions 120 x 120 mmhave the following connection elements:

• 1 2.5 GbE Ethernet LAN port (2 on Plus model)
• 1 HDMI 2.0 port.
• 2x DisplayPort 1.2.
• 2x USB 3.0.
• 2x USB 2.0.
• 2 3.5 mm audio jack, input and output.
• 1x SPDIF output

It also has 24-pin expansion I/O that includes:

• 2 x I2C.
• 3x USB 2.0.
• 1x UART.
• 1x HDMI-CEC.
• External power button.

As we said, they have two SODIMM slots for RAM memory and an M.2 2280 connector at the bottom of the plate. The top model also includes SATA and eMMC connectors for users looking to add their own built-in storage.

Boards support connect up to three screens simultaneouslythey have functionality Wake-On-LAN and can be used with a passive heatsink or a fan for active cooling. Hardkernel recommends using at least a 60W power supply for models without attached SATA drives, or a 133W or higher power supply for models with 3.5-inch SATA drives.

The ODROID-H4 comes in three versions priced from 99 dollars and in the highest version they go up to 220 dollars. These SBCs are very interesting for building your own mini-PC or as a basis for other devices. They support Windows operating systems or GNU/Linux distributions.