# Asus Tinker Board

The Asus Tinker Board is a single-board computer launched by Asus in early 2017. Its physical size and GPIO pinout are designed to be compatible with the second and third-generation Raspberry Pi models. The first released board features 4K video, 2 GB of onboard RAM, Gigabit Ethernet and a Rockchip RK3288 processor running at 1.8 GHz.

## Specifications

| Model | Tinker Board | Tinker Board S | Tinker Board R2.0 | Tinker Board S R2.0 | Tinker Edge T | Tinker Edge R | Tinker Board 2 | Tinker Board 2S | Tinker Board 3 | Tinker Board 3N |
| Release Date | April 2017 | January 2018 | October 2021 | October 2021 | November 2019 | November 2019 | November 2020 | November 2020 | | August 2023 |
| SoC | Rockchip RK3288 | Rockchip RK3288 | Rockchip RK3288-CG.W | Rockchip RK3288-CG.W | NXP i.MX 8M | Rockchip RK3399Pro | OP1 (Rockchip RK3399) | OP1 (Rockchip RK3399) | Rockchip RK3566 | Rockchip RK3568 |
| Architecture | ARMv7-A (32-bit) | ARMv7-A (32-bit) | ARMv7-A (32-bit) | ARMv7-A (32-bit) | ARMv8 (64-bit) | ARMv8 (64-bit) | ARMv8 (64-bit) | ARMv8 (64-bit) | ARMv8 (64-bit) | ARMv8 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex-A17 (up to 2.6 GHz turbo clock speed) | Quad-core 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex-A17 (up to 2.6 GHz turbo clock speed) | Quad-Core | Quad-Core | Quad core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 | Hexa core. 2× Cortex-A72 cores up to 1.8 GHz, 4× Cortex-A53 cores @ 1.4 GHz | Hexa core. 2x Cortex-A72 cores up to 2 GHz , 4× Cortex-A53 cores @ 1.5 GHz | Hexa core. 2x Cortex-A72 cores up to 2 GHz , 4× Cortex-A53 cores @ 1.5 GHz | Quad core 4× Cortex-A55 | Quad core 4× Cortex-A55 |
| GPU | 600 MHz Mali-T764 MP4 | 600 MHz Mali-T764 MP4 | 600 MHz Mali-T764 MP4 | 600 MHz Mali-T764 MP4 | GC7000 Lite 3D | 800 MHz Mali-T860 MP4 | 800 MHz Mali-T860 MP4 | 800 MHz Mali-T860 MP4 | Mali G52 | Mali G52 |
| Coprocessor | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Google Edge TPU 4 TOPS of performance | NPU 3 TOPS of performance | N/A | N/A | RockchipNPU | N/A |
| RAM | 2GB dual channel LPDDR3 | 2GB dual channel LPDDR3 | 2GB dual channel LPDDR3 | 2GB dual channel LPDDR3 | 1 GB LPDDR4 | 4 GB dual channel LPDDR4 for system, 2 GB LPDDR3 for NPU | 2GB/4GB dual-channel LPDDR4 RAM options | 2GB/4GB dual-channel LPDDR4 RAM options | Dual-channelLPDDR4X 2GB / 4GB | 2GB/4GB/8 GB dual-channel LPDDR4 RAM options |
| Storage | removable MicroSD slot (supporting SD 3.0 ) | 16GB eMMC + removable MicroSD slot (supporting SD 3.0) | Micro SD(TF) slot | 16/32 eMMC + Micro SD(TF) slot | 8GB eMMC | 16GB eMMC + removable MicroSD slot (supporting SD 3.0) | Removable MicroSD slot | 16GB eMMC + removable MicroSD slot | Micro SD (TF) card slot (push/pull) | eMMC - none / 32GB / 64GB Micro SD(TF) card slot (push/pull) SPI Flash 16MB |
| Video output | 1× full size HDMI 1.4 1× MIPI-DSI (compatible with the Raspberry Pi 7" display and others) | 1× full size HDMI 1.4 1× MIPI-DSI (compatible with the Raspberry Pi 7" display and others) | 1× full size HDMI 1.4 1× MIPI-DSI (compatible with the Raspberry Pi 7" display and others) | 1× full size HDMI 1.4 1× MIPI-DSI (compatible with the Raspberry Pi 7" display and others) | 1× full size HDMI 1.4 1× MIPI-DSI (compatible with the Raspberry Pi 7" display and others) | 1× full size HDMI 1.4 1× MIPI-DSI (compatible with the Raspberry Pi 7" display and others) | 1× HDMI 2.0 (4K-capable) 1× MIPI-DSI (4 lane) 1× DisplayPort 1.2 via USB Type-C | 1× HDMI 2.0 (4K-capable) 1× MIPI-DSI (4 lane) 1× DisplayPort 1.2 via USB Type-C | 1 x HDMI, supports up to 4096 x 2160 @ 60 Hz 1 x MIPI DSI, Supports four lanes up to 6 Gbps, 1920 x1080 @ 60 Hz (22 pin) | 1× HDMI with CEC hardware ready 1× LVDS (Dual-link) 1× eDP |
| Video input | 1× 15-pin MIPI-CSI camera | 1× 15-pin MIPI-CSI camera | 1× 15-pin MIPI-CSI camera | 1× 15-pin MIPI-CSI camera | 2× MIPI-CSI camera | 2× MIPI-CSI camera | 1× MIPI CSI-2 (2 lane) camera | 1× MIPI CSI-2 (2 lane) camera |
| Audio | RTL ALC4040 HD CODEC, Play: 24bit/192 kHz, Record: 24bit/96 kHz 3.5 mm audio jack (supporting line out and microphone in) | RTL ALC4040 HD CODEC, Play: 24bit/192 kHz, Record: 24bit/96 kHz 3.5 mm audio jack (supporting line out and microphone in, Plug-in Detection and Auto-Switch) | 1× HDMI audio output RTL ALC4030U CODEC with 1 x 3.5mm audio jack (with mic and plug-in detection) 1× S/PDIF TX pin 1× PCM/I2S pins (from GPIO) | 1× HDMI audio output RTL ALC4030U CODEC with 1 x 3.5mm audio jack (with mic and plug-in detection) 1× S/PDIF TX pin 1× PCM/I2S pins (from GPIO) | | 3.5 mm audio jack | 1× HDMI audio output 1× S/PDIF TX pin (from GPIO) 1× PCM/I2S pins (from GPIO) | 1× HDMI audio output 1× S/PDIF TX pin (from GPIO) 1× PCM/I2S pins (from GPIO) | 1 x 3.5 phone jack (with mic) 1 x HDMI audio | 1 x 3.5 Phone Jack (w/ Mic) 1 x Speaker Stereo Pin Header (4ohm, 3W each) 1 x HDMI audio |
| Other IO | 40-pin header with: up to 28× GPIO pins up to 2× SPI bus up to 2× I2C bus up to 4× UART up to 2× PWM up to 1× PCM/I2S 2× 5V power pins 2× 3.3V power pins 8× ground pins 1× 2-pin contact pin: 1× PWM 1× S/PDIF | 40-pin header with: up to 28× GPIO pins up to 2× SPI bus up to 2× I2C bus up to 4× UART up to 2× PWM up to 1× PCM/I2S (Enhanced I2S pin with Slave mode) 2× 5V power pins 2× 3.3V power pins 8× ground pins 1 x 2-pin contact pin: 1× PWM 1× S/PDIF 1× 2-pin Power-on Header | 40-pin header with: up to 28× GPIO pins up to 2× SPI bus up to 2× I2C bus up to 4× UART up to 2× PWM up to 1× PCM/I2S 2× 5V power pins 2× 3.3V power pins 8× ground pins 1× 2-pin Power-on Header 1× 2-pin eMMC recovery header 1× 2-pin contact pin: 1× PWM 1× S/PDIF | 40-pin header with: up to 28× GPIO pins up to 2× SPI bus up to 2× I2C bus up to 4× UART up to 2× PWM up to 1× PCM/I2S 2× 5V power pins 2× 3.3V power pins 8× ground pins 1× 2-pin Power-on Header 1× 2-pin eMMC recovery header 1× 2-pin contact pin: 1× PWM 1× S/PDIF | 40-pin header with: up to 28× GPIO pins up to 2× SPI bus up to 2× I2C bus up to 4× UART up to 2× PWM up to 1× PCM/I2S (Enhanced I2S pin with Slave mode) 2× 5V power pins 2× 3.3V power pins 8× ground pins | 40-pin header with: up to 28× GPIO pins up to 2× SPI bus up to 2× I2C bus up to 4× UART up to 2× PWM up to 1× PCM/I2S (Enhanced I2S pin with Slave mode) 2× 5V power pins 2× 3.3V power pins 8× ground pins mPCIe Card & nanoSIM card slot for 4G/LTE | 40-pin header with: up to 28× GPIO pins up to 2× SPI bus up to 2× I2C bus up to 2× UART up to 3× PWM up to 1× S/PDIF TX up to 1× PCM/I2S (Enhanced I2S pin with Slave mode) 2× 5V power pins 2× 3.3V power pins 8× ground pins 1× 2-pin Recovery header 1× 2-pin Power-on header 1× 2-pin Reset header 1× 2-pin Debug UART header 1× 2-pin DC Fan header 1× 2-pin RTC Battery header | 40-pin header with: up to 28× GPIO pins up to 2× SPI bus up to 2× I2C bus up to 2× UART up to 3× PWM up to 1× S/PDIF TX up to 1× PCM/I2S (Enhanced I2S pin with Slave mode) 2× 5V power pins 2× 3.3V power pins 8× ground pins 1× 2-pin Recovery header 1× 2-pin Power-on header 1× 2-pin Reset header 1× 2-pin Debug UART header 1× 2-pin DC Fan header 1× 2-pin RTC Battery header | 40-pin header with: up to 2 x SPI bus up to 2 x I2C bus up to 2 x UART up to 3 x PWM up to 1 x PCM/I2S(master/slave) up to 1 x S/PDIF TX 2 x 5V power pins 2 x 3.3V power pins 8 x ground pins 1 x 2-pin recovery header 1 x 2-pin power-on & reset header 1 x 3-pin debug UART header 1 x 2-pin DC fan header 1 x 2-pin RTC battery header 1 x MaskromDIP switch 1 x M.2 E key 2230 - for WiFi 5/6 & BT module (PCIe 2.0 x1, USB 2.0) | 14-pin GPIO header with: 1 x GND 1 x I2C bus 1 up to 2 x UART up to 1 x SPI bus (2 select) up to 1 x SPDIF up to 4 x PWM 2 x ADC (8 bit) 1 x 40-pin LVDS + eDP connector 1 x 5V Panel Backlight & Control header 1 x IR Receiver header 1 x 2-pin Recovery header 1 x 4-pin Power-on & Reset header 1 x 3-pin Debug UART header 1 x 4-pin DC Fan header 1 x 2-pin RTC Battery header 1x CAN Bus 2.0B FD pin header 2x COM 232 (with flow control) pin header 1x COM 232/422/485 pin header 1x SIM Slot 1 x M.2 E key 2230 - for WiFi 5/6 & BT module (PCIe 2.0 x1, USB 2.0) 1 x M.2 B key 3042/3052 with nano-SIM slot - 4G/5G or SSD module (PCIe 3.0 x1, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, SIM) |
| USB | 4× USB 2.0 ports | 4× USB 2.0 ports | 4× USB 2.0 ports | 4× USB 2.0 ports | 2× USB 3.0, 1x USB-C | 3× USB 3.0 ports, 1x USB-C | 3× USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A ports 1× USB 3.2 Gen1 Type C (OTG & DisplayPort 1.2) | 3× USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A ports 1× USB 3.2 Gen1 Type C (OTG & DisplayPort 1.2) | 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A 2 x USB 2.0 Type A ports 2 x USB 2.0 Micro B, device only 1 x USB 2.0 4-pin header | 1× USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-C OTG port 2× USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports 2× USB 2.0 Pin header |
| Wired Network | Gigabit LAN (not shared with USB bus) | Gigabit LAN (not shared with USB bus) | Gigabit LAN (not shared with USB bus) | Gigabit LAN (not shared with USB bus) | Gigabit LAN (not shared with USB bus) | Gigabit LAN (not shared with USB bus) | Gigabit LAN (not shared with USB bus) | Gigabit LAN (not shared with USB bus) | | Dual LAN built in, and PoE PD supported via expansion module |
| Wireless Network | 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, with IPEX antenna header | 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, with IPEX antenna header | 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, with IPEX antenna header | 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, with IPEX antenna header | 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi) on module | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi) on module | Via mM2 E key expansion |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 + EDR | Bluetooth 4.0 + EDR | Blutetooth 4.2 + EDR | Blutetooth 4.2 + EDR | Bluetooth 4.1 | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | | Via mM2 E key expansion |
| Power | Micro-USB; due to Micro-USB power delivery limitations, powering over GPIO is suggested | Micro-USB; due to Micro-USB power delivery limitations, powering over GPIO is suggested | 5V/2.5~3A Micro USB (supports low power voltage detection) | 5V/2.5~3A Micro USB (supports low power voltage detection) | 12V - 19V DC-in barrel connector | 12V - 19V DC-in barrel connector | 12V - 19V DC-in barrel connector | 12V - 19V DC-in barrel connector | 12-19V via DC barrel power input jack (5.5/2.5 mm) | 12-19V via DC barrel power input jack (5.5/2.5 mm) 1 x 4-Pin Power In Header (also for POE module) |
| Form Factor | 8.55 cm x 5.4 cm (3.37 x 2.125 inch) | 8.55 cm x 5.4 cm (3.37 x 2.125 inch) | 8.55 cm x 5.4 cm (3.37 x 2.125 inch) | 8.55 cm x 5.4 cm (3.37 x 2.125 inch) | 8.55 cm x 5.4 cm (3.37 x 2.125 inch) | 8.55 cm x 5.4 cm (3.37 x 2.125 inch) | 8.55 cm x 5.4 cm (3.37 x 2.125 inch) | 8.55 cm x 5.4 cm (3.37 x 2.125 inch) | 85 × 56 mm (3.37 x 2.125 inch ) | 10.16 cm × 10.16 cm (4.0 x 4.0 inch) NUC |
| Weight | 55g | 55g | 55g | 55g | | | | |
| Operating Systems | TinkerOS (a Debian Linux derivative) Android 6 Android 7 Armbian LibreELEC 9 Ubuntu Variants Fedora 30 DietPi | TinkerOS (a Debian Linux derivative) Android 6 Android 7 Armbian LibreELEC 9 Ubuntu Variants Fedora 30 DietPi | Debian 10 Linux Android 11 | Debian 10 Linux Android 11 | | | Debian 9 Linux Android 10 | Debian 9 Linux Android 10 | Debian Android Yocto | Debian 11 Android 12 |
| Notes | Specification sourced from Asus | | Specification sourced from Asus | Specification sourced from Asus | | | Specification sourced from Asus | Specification sourced from Asus | | |

## History

ASUS's intent to release a single-board computer was leaked shortly after CES 2017 on SlideShare. ASUS originally planned for a late February 2017 release, but a UK vendor broke the embargo and began advertising and selling boards starting on 13 February 2017, before ASUS's marketing department was ready. ASUS subsequently pulled the release; the Amazon sales page was changed to show a 13 March 2017 release date, but was later removed entirely. However, as of 24 March 2017, the Tinker Board again became available on Amazon. ASUS assured reviewer websites that the board is now in full production.

## Benchmarks

In January 2017 tests showed the Tinker Board has roughly twice the processing power of the Raspberry Pi Model 3 when the Pi 3 runs in 32-bit mode. Because the Pi 3 has not released a 64-bit operating system yet, no comparisons are available against a Pi 3 running in 64-bit mode.
In March 2017 benchmark testing found that while the WLAN performance is only around 30 Mbit/s, the Gigabit Ethernet delivers a full 950 Mbit/s throughput. RAM access tested using the mbw benchmark is 25% faster than the Raspberry Pi 3. SD card (microSD) access is about twice as fast at 37 MiB/s for buffered reads (compared to typically around 18 MiB/s for the Pi 3) due to the Tinker Board's SDIO 3.0 interface, while cached reads can reach speeds up to 770 MiB/s.