LattePanda Mu Ultra review
by https://www.techradar.com/author/jack-laurent · TechRadarTechRadar Verdict
LattePanda's Mu Ultra is one of the smallest x86 computers to feature an AI-based Core Ultra processor and 16GB of LPDDR5. What sets it apart is its numerous high-speed interfaces on a low-power budget.
Reasons to buy
- +Powerful CPU with NPU
- +Low power consumption
- +Multiple high-speed interfaces
Reasons to avoid
- -Noisy fan
- -No on-board storage
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LattePanda's latest x86 compute module, the Mu Ultra, is highly integrated and features a Core Ultra 7 256V octa-core CPU, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, an NPU, and a GPU.
LattePanda Mu Ultra: Specifications
CPU: Octa-Core Core Ultra 7 256V
GPU: Intel Arc 140V, 8 Xe cores at 1.95GHz
RAM: 16GB of LPDDR5 8533MT/s
Display: 1 x eDP internal, 2 x DP via Type-C, 1 x HDMI
Interfaces: 2 x 4 lanes PCIe 4.0, 2 x USB-C 20Gbps with DP, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 at 10Gbps, 6 x USB 2.0
Low-speed Interfaces: 3 x UART, 3 x I2C, 14 x GPIOs
Power Consumption: 17W, 37W in short bursts
Module Size: 70mm x 60mm x 32mm
The Ultra 7 processor is more than twice as fast as the Raspberry Pi 5 compute module on Geekbench 7, with more high-speed interfaces but fewer general-purpose I/O pins.
The Mu Ultra CPU board is tiny, about the size of a credit card. Its edge connector borrows from a DDR SODIMM but doesn't reuse the same pin assignment. The Ultra's standout feature is its abundance of high-speed ports, including eight PCIe lanes and two USB 3.2 ports. The carrier board includes a 2.5GbE connector and an OcuLink port, making the Mu Ultra ideal for an edge embedded platform.
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The Mu Ultra with a Core Ultra 7 256V CPU and 16GB of RAM costs $783, while the medium-tier module with an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V and 16GB of RAM costs $683. The minimum hardware required to experiment with the Mu Ultra is the Mini carrier board, which costs $69. The higher-end Full-Function carrier board adds a second 2.5GbE port and more expansion for $89. The Mu Ultra also requires a heatsink, which costs from $5 to $12.
LattePanda Mu Ultra: Design
The LattePanda Mu Ultra is small, measuring 70 x 60 mm. Two mounting holes secure the module to a carrier board. On one side, the SODIMM edge connector provides all high-speed interfaces, while the opposite side holds one eDP and a touch panel connector. The board requires a heatsink to work properly and doesn't include one.
The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V CPU has all the key ingredients to appeal to PC enthusiasts. Eight cores, split into four speedy and four power-efficient, share 12MB of cache, and dissipate 17W with 37W bursts. The Ultra 7 256V platform supports a fixed amount of RAM: 16GB of LPDDR5 in this case. The CPU excels at connectivity, and the Mu Ultra takes full advantage by offering eight high-speed Gen 4 PCIe lanes. The CPU also includes additional high-speed ports that function as USB 3.2 or DisplayPort.
The Mu Ultra does not offer on-board storage memory. All networking capability, such as an Ethernet port or Wi-Fi, comes from external peripherals on the carrier board. The system supports up to three displays: one HDMI and two DP via Type-C at up to 4K at 60Hz. The Intel Arc 140V GPU clocks 8 Xe cores at 1.95GHz, making the Mu Ultra an entry-level gaming platform.
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