Most of Hardkernel’s single board computers, development boards, and handhelds are powered by ARM-based processors. But the company has been selling x86 models with Intel processors under the ODROID-H brand since 2018.
And now Hardkernel has launched its highest-performance ODROID-H series computers to date. the new ODROID-H4, H4+, and H4 Ultra are 120 x 120mm (4.7″ x 4.7″) PC boards powered by Intel Alder Lake-N processors. They’re available now from the Hardkernel store for $99 and up.
The starting price is for an entry-level ODROID-H4 with an Intel N97 chip, support for up to 48GB of DDR5-4800 memory, support for PCIe Gen 3 NVMe storage, and a set of I/O features that includes a single 2.5 GbE LAN port.
You can also opt to pay $139 for the ODROID-H4+ which has all of those features, but adds four SATA connectors for additional storage plus a second 2.5 GbE port.
The top-of-the-line ODROID H4 Ultra sells for $220 and has all the features of H4+ model, but it ships with an Intel Core i3-N305 processor, which should deliver better CPU and graphics performance.
While many of Hardkernel’s products can be classified as single-board computers, I’m reluctant to do that with the new ODROID-H4 series. That’s because while these models all have an Intel mobile processor soldered to the mainboard, they do not have any onboard memory or storage.
Instead there’s a single SODIMM slots for memory and an M.2 2280 connector on the bottom of the board (and SATA connectors on the top on the higher-priced models). There’s also an eMMC connector for folks that want to add their own onboard storage, but no eMMC module is included in the base price.
So it’s really more of a small computer board that can be used to build your own mini PC or as the foundation for other devices.
All three boards support up to three displays, have Wake-On-LAN functionality, and can be either used with a passive heat sink or a fan fro active cooling. Hardkernel recommends using at least a 60 watt power supply for models with no SATA drives connected or a 133W or higher power supply for models with 3.5 inch SATA drives.
| ODROID H4 | ODROID-H4+ | ODROID-H4 Ultra | |
| Processor | Intel Processor N97 4-cores / 4-threads Up to 3.6 GHz 12W TDP | Intel Core i3-N305 8-cores / 8 threads Up to 3.8 GHz 15W TDP | |
| Graphics | Intel UHD 24 execution units Up to 1.2 GHz | Intel UHD 32 execution units Up to 1.25 GHz | |
| Memory | Up to 48 GB DDR5-4800 | ||
| PCIe (NVMe SSD slot) | PCIe Gen 3 x4 | ||
| SATA connectors | None | 4 x SATA 3 | |
| Ports | 1 x HDMI 2.0 2 x DisplayPort 1.2 2 x USB 3.0 2 x USB 2.0 1 x 2.5 GbE LAN (Intel I226-V) 1 x 3.5mm audio out 1 x 3.5mm audio in 1 x SPDIF out | 1 x HDMI 2.0 2 x DisplayPort 1.2 2 x USB 3.0 2 x USB 2.0 2 x 2.5 GbE LAN (Intel I226-V) 1 x 3.5mm audio out 1 x 3.5mm audio in 1 x SPDIF out | |
| 24-pin I/O expansion | 2 x I2C 3 x USB 2.0 1 x UART 1 x HDMI-CEC 1 x ext power button | ||
| Dimensions | 120 x 120mm 4.7″ x 4.7″ | ||
| Price | $99 | $139 | $220 |
via ODROID Forum, ODROID Wiki, and CNX Software
It’s looks like a laptop without a screen and keyboard. Suitable only for building nas with hi prices. I don’t understand, what prevents them from building in ports like rs485, can-bus, rs232…?
I’m loving all these new mini/sbc Alder Lake-N boards! I’ve been looking for the smallest and thinnest board for some time now and seems like every week there’s more new boards available. The Ultra variant here is enticing but I wish it was a bit a cheaper and I wish the ports on the board weren’t so tall either but I might consider this one.
Single channel memory is a big fail
You won’t get any benefit by using dual channel in this Cpu. Anandtech tested previous model with ddr4 and it couldn’t used ddr4 bandwidth, this one with ddr5 won’t be used all of bandwidth even in single chanell.
And also the SoC doesn’t support it anyway.
Looks good until you match the price with the rather lacking connectivity/ports – no built-in wifi, no USB-C/TB, etc.
That GPIO connector is handy, but a single one cannot make up for all the stuff that is missing.
I’m sure there are plenty of niche use cases for these boards, but for most people a simple N100 mini-PC going for $200 is probably more practical.
The use case is rolling this into a NAS/Plex/Jellyfin build with the plus or ultra. Wifi and usb-c are far less useful than the 4 sata ports of the + or ultra. The Ultra also has the more interesting i3 that is not nearly as prevalent in the mini pc space. There is even an itx adapter set to use this in standard cases. Its only real competition is one board by asrock that is $130 and uses ddr4 ram and only has 2 sata ports.
I miss the days when Asrock would have 5 or 6 variations of these type of integrated cpu/motherboards.
Exactly. This Odroid board is much more competitive than the ones from Asus and Asrock for building a NAS.
You can also run some AI workloads on it like object detection for frigate or similar NVR systems.
“Instead there are two SODIMM slots for memory…”
Correction, there is only one.
From hardkernel’s site:
1 x DDR5 SO-DIMM slots
Single Channel, up to 4800 MT/s. Note: Dual rank r2x8 are better.
Whoops, thanks for catching that. I’ve updated the article.
But is the 48GB max RAM a typo on Hardkernel’s side? I thought Alder Lake-N officially supported only 16GB and everything beyond that was speculative. Also what kind of single memory module offers such a weird capacity?
They state that they tested 32 and 48 GB modules as well and they ran fine. There are a few 48 GB modules on the market.
when open bios will be avaiable?