Benchmarking the Firefly AIBOX-3588S Embedded Fanless PC: A Comprehensive Performance Analysis

The Firefly AIBOX-3588S is marketed as a powerful embedded fanless PC, designed for a range of applications from edge computing to industrial automation. In this in-depth analysis, we put the AIBOX-3588S through its paces, benchmarking its performance against a selection of single board computers (SBCs), encompassing both ARM and RISC-V architectures, as well as comparing it to an Intel N100-based Mini PC. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive performance overview, allowing potential users to make informed decisions based on their specific needs and workload requirements.

AIBOX-3588S Hardware Overview and Specifications

Before diving into the benchmark results, it’s crucial to understand the core hardware powering the AIBOX-3588S. At its heart lies the Rockchip RK3588S System on a Chip (SoC). This SoC features an octa-core CPU, combining four high-performance ARM Cortex-A76 cores and four energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores. This heterogeneous architecture allows for intelligent task scheduling, balancing performance and power consumption. The integrated ARM Mali-G610 MP4 GPU provides graphics processing capabilities suitable for demanding applications like video encoding/decoding and basic gaming.

Beyond the SoC, the AIBOX-3588S boasts a range of connectivity options and features:

The fanless design is a significant advantage for deployments in harsh environments where dust and debris can pose a threat to traditional fan-cooled systems. The AIBOX-3588S’s robust metal enclosure acts as a heatsink, dissipating heat effectively and ensuring stable operation under sustained load.

Testing Methodology: Our Benchmarking Suite

To obtain a clear and objective performance comparison, we employed a standardized benchmarking suite. This suite included a mix of synthetic benchmarks and real-world application simulations, designed to stress different aspects of the system.

CPU Performance Benchmarks

GPU Performance Benchmarks

Storage Performance Benchmarks

Real-World Application Simulations

Operating System and Software Versions

All benchmarks were performed on a clean installation of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. Software versions used included:

Competitor Systems: A Diverse Comparison Group

To provide context for the AIBOX-3588S’s performance, we compared it against the following systems:

Benchmark Results: A Detailed Breakdown

The following sections present the detailed results of our benchmark tests, providing a comparative analysis of the AIBOX-3588S against the competitor systems.

CPU Performance: Rockchip RK3588S Dominance

In CPU-intensive tasks, the AIBOX-3588S consistently outperformed the Raspberry Pi 4 and VisionFive 2. The octa-core RK3588S processor, with its combination of Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 cores, provided a significant performance advantage.

These results highlight the RK3588S’s strength in CPU-bound workloads, making the AIBOX-3588S a suitable choice for applications requiring significant processing power.

GPU Performance: Mali-G610 MP4 Capabilities

The AIBOX-3588S’s Mali-G610 MP4 GPU delivered a noticeable improvement in graphics performance compared to the Raspberry Pi 4’s Broadcom VideoCore VI and the VisionFive 2’s Imagination Technologies GPU.

While the Intel N100 integrated graphics showed a modest advantage in some tests, the AIBOX-3588S’s GPU performance is sufficient for a variety of applications, including digital signage, video playback, and basic graphical interfaces.

Storage Performance: NVMe SSD Advantage

The AIBOX-3588S’s support for NVMe SSDs provides a significant performance boost compared to the eMMC storage found on the Raspberry Pi 4 and VisionFive 2.

The NVMe SSD allows for faster boot times, quicker application loading, and improved overall system responsiveness. This is particularly beneficial for applications that rely on frequent disk access.

Real-World Application Performance: Practical Use Cases

The AIBOX-3588S’s performance in real-world application simulations further demonstrates its capabilities in practical use cases.

These results highlight the AIBOX-3588S’s versatility and its ability to handle demanding tasks in real-world scenarios.

Thermal Performance and Power Consumption

The AIBOX-3588S’s fanless design is a key selling point. During our testing, the system remained stable under sustained load, with the metal enclosure effectively dissipating heat. We monitored the CPU temperature and observed that it remained within acceptable limits, even during prolonged benchmarking. The power consumption was also reasonable, making it a suitable choice for energy-conscious deployments. Power consumption was measured at max 25W at full load.

Software Compatibility and Development Ecosystem

The AIBOX-3588S benefits from a relatively mature software ecosystem. Rockchip provides comprehensive Linux support, including kernel patches, drivers, and SDKs. This allows developers to easily build and deploy applications on the platform. The AIBOX-3588S also supports Android, further expanding its potential applications. The community support is also very good for the Rockchip RK3588S platform, with many community driven developments and projects.

Conclusion: A Powerful and Versatile Embedded PC

The Firefly AIBOX-3588S emerges as a powerful and versatile embedded fanless PC. Its Rockchip RK3588S SoC provides a significant performance boost compared to many single board computers. The combination of a high-performance CPU, capable GPU, and support for NVMe SSDs makes it suitable for a wide range of applications. The fanless design is a major advantage for deployments in harsh environments, while the robust metal enclosure ensures reliable operation.

Advantages of the AIBOX-3588S

Potential Drawbacks

Target Applications

The AIBOX-3588S is well-suited for a variety of applications, including:

Overall, the Firefly AIBOX-3588S is a compelling embedded PC that offers a compelling combination of performance, features, and reliability. For those seeking a powerful and versatile platform for demanding applications, the AIBOX-3588S is definitely worth considering. Visit Tech Today for more in-depth reviews and comparisons of embedded systems.

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