UDOO BOLT V8: The Ultimate Ryzen Powered Maker Board
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Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Overview of the uDo Bolt
- Specifications and Pricing
- testing the Hardware Performance
- Benchmark Results
- Gaming Performance
- Emulation Testing
- Power Consumption and Thermals
- Comparison to Other Systems
- Potential Improvements and Future Updates
- Conclusion
Introduction
Hey guys, it's the CTA Praten back again with another exciting video. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce to you the world's most powerful maker board, the uDo Bolt. This incredible little board is powered by an AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B APU, making it a small but mighty device. In this video, we will delve into the hardware, pricing, accessories, and most importantly, put the uDo Bolt to the test by running benchmarks and testing gaming performance. But before we jump into the details, let's take a moment to compare the uDo Bolt to some other popular boards in the market.
Overview of the uDo Bolt
The uDo Bolt is a compact and powerful maker board that measures just 4.72 inches by 4.72 inches. It comes in two versions: the v8 and the v3. The v8 is the more powerful option, featuring an AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B quad-core processor with a base clock of 2.0 GHz (up to 3.6 GHz boost) and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics. On the other HAND, the v3 model is equipped with an AMD Ryzen Embedded V1202B dual-core processor with a base clock of 2.3 GHz (up to 3.2 GHz boost) and integrated Radeon Vega 3 graphics. Both versions require the addition of DDR4 RAM (up to 32GB) and come with 32GB of pre-installed storage. However, if you need more storage, you can opt to add an M.2 or a 2.5-inch SATA drive.
Specifications and Pricing
When it comes to pricing, it's important to note that the uDo Bolt doesn't come cheap. It is priced at $418 for the v8 and $332 for the v3. However, it's worth considering that you will also need to factor in the cost of additional RAM. Despite the cost, the uDo Bolt is still a more affordable option compared to other Ryzen Embedded systems that retail for around $600 to $700. To put things into perspective, you could build a super small form-factor Mini-ITX system with a Ryzen 3 3200G, 16GB of RAM, and 500GB of storage for a similar price, while also achieving better gaming performance. The uDo Bolt is primarily targeted towards makers and enthusiasts who require a compact and powerful solution for their projects.
Testing the Hardware Performance
Moving on to the hardware performance, I must say that the uDo Bolt delivers impressive results. In my testing, I ran several benchmarks, including Geekbench 4 and Cinebench R15, which revealed commendable scores. The uDo Bolt's quad-core processor performs exceptionally well in both single-core and multi-core tasks. Additionally, I conducted a Blender render test, and the uDo Bolt completed the task in just 4 minutes and 1 Second, showcasing its processing power.
Benchmark Results
Let's dig deeper into the benchmark results. In Geekbench 4, the uDo Bolt achieved a single-core score of 3987 and a multi-core score of 10,739. These scores are particularly noteworthy considering the uDo Bolt's compact size and power consumption. A comparison with other Ryzen chips further highlights the uDo Bolt's capabilities, with it closely competing with the Ryzen 3 2200G in terms of raw CPU performance. In Cinebench R15, the uDo Bolt scored 503, outperforming the Ryzen 3 2200G.
Gaming Performance
Now, let's discuss gaming performance. When it comes to gaming at 1080p, the uDo Bolt falls short compared to newer and more powerful systems. However, when scaled down to 720p and with lower settings, the uDo Bolt manages to deliver satisfactory frame rates. In games like GTA V, we achieved an average of 33 fps at 1080p and 46 fps at 720p. It's essential to note that the GPU clock performance on the uDo Bolt is subpar, and I've only managed to reach a maximum of 700 MHz, despite it being advertised up to 1100 MHz. This limitation, coupled with the inability to overclock the APU and the RAM's maximum speed of 2400 MHz, affects the overall gaming performance.
Emulation Testing
For those interested in emulation, the uDo Bolt performs well in various emulators such as Dolphin, PPSSPP, and Redream. With 60 fps at 1080p in games like Auto Modellista for the GameCube and God of War for the PSP, the uDo Bolt proves to be a capable device for emulation. However, higher-end emulators like RPCS3 and CEMU may struggle to achieve full speed on the uDo Bolt.
Power Consumption and Thermals
In terms of power consumption, the uDo Bolt proves to be efficient, drawing only 11.2 watts at idle and reaching 48.6 watts during extreme tests. The thermals are well-managed, with temperatures ranging from 37 degrees Celsius at idle to 73 degrees Celsius during intense usage. However, I did encounter higher temperatures initially due to poor thermal paste application, but replacing it with Noctua NT-H1 resolved the issue.
Comparison to Other Systems
It's important to consider the uDo Bolt's pricing and performance in comparison to other systems. While the uDo Bolt's compact size and power efficiency are commendable, it faces tough competition from budget Mini-ITX systems that offer better gaming performance at a similar price point. Therefore, it's recommended primarily for makers, developers, and enthusiasts who require a small and capable board for specific projects that prioritize portability.
Potential Improvements and Future Updates
In terms of potential improvements, there are a few areas where the uDo Bolt could benefit. The ability to overclock the APU and RAM, along with better GPU clock performance, would significantly enhance gaming capabilities. It would also be advantageous to have more options in the BIOS to fine-tune system settings for better performance. Additionally, a BIOS update that addresses these issues and improves overall stability and compatibility would be highly appreciated.
Conclusion
To conclude, the uDo Bolt is a remarkable maker board that offers impressive performance in a compact form factor. While it may not be the best choice for gaming at 1080p or high-end emulation, it excels in other areas such as general computing, productivity tasks, and certain retro gaming platforms. If you're a maker or enthusiast looking for a powerful and portable solution, the uDo Bolt is definitely worth considering. Just keep in mind its limitations and compare it to other options on the market.
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