This video provides a comprehensive review of the new ODROID-C5 single-board computer (SBC), focusing on its features, out-of-the-box experience, and overall value. The reviewer examines the hardware, which includes a quad-core Amlogic A55 CPU, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, gigabit Ethernet, and dual storage options (eMMC and microSD), all for a price of approximately $39. A key highlight is the board's heatsink-free design and its 4K video output capability.
The central finding of the review is that the ODROID-C5 is the first SBC the presenter has tested that offers fully functional 2D and 3D hardware acceleration immediately after installation, without needing any manual configuration, driver installations, or overlays. This is demonstrated through successful glmark2 benchmarks and smooth, hardware-accelerated video playback in a web browser. However, the review also notes significant drawbacks, including a very slow boot time of over two minutes and the lack of modern interfaces like USB 3.0, PCIe, MIPI CSI for cameras, and USB-C for power. Ultimately, the board is rated highly as an "A Tier" product, praised for its exceptional performance-for-price but held back from a top-tier rating by its hardware limitations and slow boot sequence.
A Deep Dive into the ODROID-C5: Is This $39 SBC a Game Changer?
0:00 Out-of-the-Box 3D Acceleration: The reviewer's most praised feature is the working 2D and 3D hardware acceleration, which functions immediately after flashing the OS without any extra configuration—a first in his experience with SBCs.
1:01 Impressive Specs for the Price: For around $39, the ODROID-C5 offers a quad-core Amlogic A55 CPU at 2.5 GHz, 4GB of RAM, 4K HDMI output, and a design that allows it to run without a heatsink.
4:33 Hardware Overview: A closer look at the board reveals a DC barrel jack for power, four USB 2.0 ports, gigabit Ethernet, an IR receiver, and support for both eMMC and microSD storage. Notable omissions are USB 3.0, PCIe, onboard Wi-Fi, and a MIPI camera interface.
9:16 Software and Setup: The official OS image is Ubuntu with a GNOME desktop. The reviewer notes that the download links on the wiki are initially non-secure (HTTP), which can be blocked by modern browsers, but the issue is easily fixed by changing the URL to HTTPS.
14:04 Extremely Slow Boot Time: A major drawback discovered during testing is the very slow boot time. The board takes over two minutes to reach the graphical desktop, a significant delay compared to other SBCs.
20:46 Boot Media Speed: After troubleshooting, the slow boot time is not attributed to the storage media. The eMMC module tested achieves a respectable 180 MB/s read speed, much faster than the SD card's 80 MB/s.
24:50 Excellent GPU Performance: Despite the slow boot, the GPU performance is a standout success. Benchmarks with glmark2 and real-world testing of YouTube video playback in Chromium confirm that hardware acceleration works flawlessly out of the box.
28:25 Final Verdict & Tier List Placement: The reviewer rates the ODROID-C5 as a 4 out of 5-star product, placing it in his "A Tier." It excels in performance and value but is held back by limited accessories and compatibility (no MIPI CSI, no PoE, no USB-C power).
35:39 Niche Use Case: Given its powerful CPU/GPU, 4K output, and lack of camera/fast I/O, the board is identified as being ideal for niche applications like affordable industrial displays or media players, where boot time is not a critical factor.