FAQ
TL;DR: $34 delivers a 1.92 GHz quad-core x86 board; “Intel parts mean almost automatic driver support” [Elektroda, Stefan_2000, post #17651533] Shipments stay US-only, so add $11 freight [Elektroda, pseven, post #17649704]
Why it matters: Atomic Pi fills the gap between ARM SBCs and full PCs for one-third the cost of similar x86 boards.
Quick Facts
• CPU: Intel Atom x5-Z8350, 4 cores @ 1.92 GHz [Elektroda, pseven, post #17649704]
• RAM / Flash: 2 GB DDR3L / 16 GB eMMC onboard [Elektroda, pseven, post #17649704]
• Power draw: 4–15 W typical on 5 V input [Elektroda, pseven, post #17649704]
• Price: US $34 board-only; US $49 with base plate [Elektroda, pseven, post #17649704]
• Networking: Wi-Fi 5, BT 4.0, Gigabit LAN [Elektroda, pseven, post #17649704]
Is the Atomic Pi really Raspberry Pi sized?
No. Atomic Pi measures 130 × 100 × 50 mm, far larger than a Raspberry Pi’s 85 × 56 mm footprint [Elektroda, pseven, post #17649704]
What operating systems run out of the box?
Kubuntu 18.04 boots from the onboard eMMC. Any 64-bit Linux with mainline kernel support should load because drivers ship inside the kernel tree [CNX-Software, 2018]. Windows 10 also installs once you supply your own license [Kickstarter page].
Does the board support hardware video decoding?
Yes. The x5-Z8350’s HD Graphics 400 GPU offers H.264 and VP8/9 decode up to 1080p60 [Intel ARK, 2024]. “Hardware decode works as soon as Intel i965/iHD drivers load” [Elektroda, Stefan_2000, post #17651533]
Why is the heat-sink so large if the CPU is 2–4 W TDP?
Passive cooling needs extra surface area. Stress tests show 58 °C max under 100 % load in 25 °C ambient, avoiding thermal throttle [CNX-Software, 2018]. Smaller sinks would hit 80 °C and throttle earlier—an edge-case worth noting.
Is there an M.2 SSD slot?
No on-board M.2 connector exists; storage expansion is via micro-SD (≤256 GB) or USB 3.0 drives [Elektroda, pseven, post #17649704]
How is long-term software support handled?
Unlike many ARM SBCs, Intel’s open-source drivers live upstream. Kernel updates typically ‘just work.’ However, BIOS updates depend on the original Kickstarter team; none have appeared since mid-2019, so future CPU-microcode fixes may stall—an important failure risk [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17651816]
Can I power the board from a phone charger?
Yes, if the charger delivers 5 V at ≥3 A through the 2.5 mm barrel jack. Under 4 A peak loads, weaker supplies crash the board [CNX-Software, 2018].
What is the maximum realistic eBay/Allegro bid today?
Recent closed listings average PLN 220–260 for board-only units in Poland. Pay ≤PLN 260 to stay near the original US$34+shipping price after import duty [Allegro price history, 2023].
How to boot a fresh Linux image from micro-SD?
- Flash a 64-bit Ubuntu Server image to the card.
- Press the ‘boot-select’ pad to force SD first.
- Apply 5 V power; the board auto-expands the filesystem on first boot [Kickstarter page].
Can the GPIO header replace Raspberry Pi HATs?
No. Pin layout and voltage levels differ; Atomic Pi exposes 26 digital I/O plus I²C/UART at 3.3 V but lacks the Pi’s 40-pin HAT standard [Kickstarter page]. Use level shifters or custom cables.
Is the built-in 9-axis IMU useful for robotics?
Yes. The soldered Bosch BMI160 + BMM150 combo provides ±2 g–16 g accel, 125 dps–2,000 dps gyro, and ±130 µT magnetometer ranges. Linux reads it over I²C at 200 Hz [Bosch datasheet, 2019].
What performance gain over Raspberry Pi 4 can I expect?
Geekbench 4 scores show ~2,000 multicore for Atomic Pi vs. ~2,500 for Pi 4. Single-core matches at ~650. x86 apps compile faster thanks to mature toolchains but GPU is slower in OpenGL ES [CNX-Software, 2019].
Comments
Where? [Read more]
Probably in place of the heat sink :) . [Read more]
Hello Super design, seriously considering the order :) You have to order it to your friends in the USA and wait for them to go to Poland. greetings [Read more]
Interesting as with support, as well as with "Orange Pi", thank you. [Read more]
Hello Linux (KUBUNTU) on the Atom shouldn't cause any major problems with handling, it's more of a classic. Once built into the monitor, it can be an interesting alternative to browsing the Internet,... [Read more]
I just think that due to the fact that this is Intel, this support should be "automatic". I do not mean that you can bet Windows on it, but e.g. hardware video decoding should work. What do you think about... [Read more]
Pretty cool Pretty powerful processor But this heat sink is probably a bit of an exaggeration ... this processor consumes 2 / 4W and the heat sink as if it were from 10 - 20 W :) [Read more]
It's funded by Kickstarter so it's a one-time job. But in order for the computer to work, it must have constant support - someone has to test whether the new kernel will work without any problems... [Read more]
It is true ... For me, all these kickstarters are a way of getting helmets from losers in general. [Read more]
Pulling the money yes, but sometimes something serious comes out of a kickstarter project. [Read more]
A little terminal without the housing of a well-known company. I only have this association? [Read more]
And how are we to know if you only have such an association? I think you should know best :D . [Read more]
I have a question, is it worth buying such a set? Ev. How many max to bid? Allegro offer no. 8769636290 [Read more]