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Raspberry Pi 3 Model B vs IceWhale ZimaBoard 2

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against single-board computers at a similar price

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B scores 6.4/10 overall, ahead of the IceWhale ZimaBoard 2 at 6.3/10.

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B leads on software support.

The IceWhale ZimaBoard 2 leads on performance, storage and I/O and networking.

They score the same on value.

The biggest difference is software support, where the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B scores 10/10 to the IceWhale ZimaBoard 2's 5/10.

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

6.4/10verdict: wait for deal

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B suits people who want a small board for GPIO projects, simple services or learning. It fits builders who need a 40-pin header with camera and display ports. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs fast networking, USB 3 or storage beyond a microSD card.

Typically about £33 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

ZimaBoard 2

IceWhale ZimaBoard 2

6.3/10verdict: wait for deal

The ZimaBoard 2 is for homelabbers who want a compact x86 board for a small NAS or Docker host. It offers an Intel N150, dual 2.5GbE and two SATA ports, with 8GB or 16GB of soldered RAM. It suits people who value low power draw and quiet running over upgradeability.

Typically about £288.89 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightRaspberry Pi 3 Model BIceWhale ZimaBoard 2
Software support30%10/105/10
Performance25%5/107/10
Storage15%4/107/10
I/O and networking15%5/108/10
Value15%5/105/10
Overall6.4/106.3/10

Specifications

SpecRaspberry Pi 3 Model BIceWhale ZimaBoard 2
Processor (SoC)Broadcom BCM2837, quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 at 1.2 GHzIntel N150 (4 cores, 4 threads, up to 3.6GHz)
Memory1GB RAM8GB (832) or 16GB (1664) LPDDR5 4800 MHz, soldered and not upgradable
Storage optionsmicroSD slot only, for OS and data32GB (832) or 64GB (1664) onboard eMMC; two SATA 6Gbps ports
Networking100Base Ethernet; wireless LAN and BluetoothDual 2.5GbE
GPIO40-pin extended GPIO headernot listed
Video outputsFull-size HDMI, 4-pole stereo and composite video port, CSI camera port, DSI display portOne Mini DisplayPort 1.4, up to 4K at 60Hz
Power inputMicro USB, up to 2.5 A switched supply12V DC barrel input, 60W adapter

Strengths and weaknesses

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

  • + 40-pin GPIO header plus CSI camera and DSI display ports
  • + Built-in wireless LAN and Bluetooth
  • + Production promised until at least January 2028
  • − Ethernet is 10/100 only, not gigabit
  • − No USB 3; four USB 2.0 ports
  • − microSD only, with no M.2 or NVMe support published

Skip it if:

  • Anyone who needs gigabit Ethernet or USB 3 for fast file transfers
  • Buyers who want NVMe or M.2 storage rather than a microSD card
  • People who need more than 1GB of RAM for several services or VMs
Read the full Raspberry Pi 3 Model B review ›

IceWhale ZimaBoard 2

  • + Dual 2.5GbE with about 275 to 280 MB/s reported real-world
  • + Low idle power draw, and silent without the fan
  • + Two SATA 6Gbps ports plus a PCIe 3.0 x2 lane
  • − RAM and eMMC are soldered and cannot be upgraded
  • − Throttling and 90s C package temperatures in passive tests
  • − UK buyers can only pay in US dollars on Zima's store

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want to upgrade RAM or onboard storage later
  • Anyone planning sustained heavy load with passive cooling
  • Projects that need a Raspberry Pi-style GPIO header
Read the full IceWhale ZimaBoard 2 review ›

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