The RK3399 is a powerful System on Chip (SoC) developed by Rockchip, designed to offer a blend of performance, versatility, and efficiency for a wide array of applications. Whether for high-performance computing, embedded systems, multimedia solutions, or AI-driven projects, the RK3399 stands out as a high-performance option in the market. It features a combination of ARM Cortex-A72 cores and the Mali-T860 MP4 GPU, providing substantial computing power and graphics performance. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the RK3399, detailing its specifications, applications, benchmark performance, and its competitive advantages over other similar SoCs.

The RK3399 is especially popular in industries such as industrial automation, digital signage, IoT, and robotics. As more applications require high-efficiency computing, the RK3399 remains at the forefront, offering exceptional value for developers looking for a versatile, all-in-one solution. Through its unique architecture, including powerful CPU cores, GPU capabilities, and versatile connectivity options, the RK3399 is a prime candidate for a broad range of embedded system solutions.


Key Specifications of the RK3399

The RK3399 is an octa-core SoC with six CPU cores and a powerful GPU, making it suitable for high-performance applications. Let’s dive into its specifications:

Feature Specification
CPU Hexa-core ARM Cortex-A72 (2x) and Cortex-A53 (4x)
GPU Mali-T860 MP4
RAM Support Up to 4GB/8GB LPDDR3/LPDDR4
Storage Support eMMC, UFS, SATA, SD card
Video Decoding 4K@60Hz, H.265, VP9
Connectivity Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2
AI and ML Capabilities
Display Interface HDMI 2.0, MIPI-DSI, LVDS

The RK3399 features a dual-cluster CPU architecture, which is a combination of two ARM Cortex-A72 cores for high-performance tasks and four ARM Cortex-A53 cores for more energy-efficient tasks. This configuration provides a great balance between power and efficiency, making the SoC highly suitable for multitasking environments. The Mali-T860 MP4 GPU enhances its graphical capabilities, supporting smooth video playback and efficient rendering, which is essential for applications such as gaming, multimedia processing, and video streaming.

With support for up to 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM, the RK3399 ensures that it can handle memory-intensive applications with ease. This makes it a good choice for use in high-performance servers, edge computing devices, and other systems requiring substantial memory bandwidth.


Applications of the RK3399

The RK3399 SoC is designed to cater to a wide range of applications across various industries. From industrial automation to personal devices, its versatility makes it a go-to solution for many developers. Here are the key use cases for the RK3399:

1. AI and Machine Learning

Although the RK3399 doesn’t feature a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit), it still provides solid support for AI and machine learning applications. Its multi-core architecture and high processing power make it suitable for running machine learning models, especially for edge computing tasks. In addition, developers can use frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch to deploy AI models and process data on the device itself, reducing latency and improving overall performance.

2. Digital Signage

Digital signage is one of the primary use cases for the RK3399. With its ability to support 4K video decoding and output through HDMI 2.0, the RK3399 is ideal for driving high-resolution displays. Whether for advertising, public information displays, or interactive kiosks, the RK3399 ensures smooth performance and reliable operation, even in demanding environments.

3. Robotics

The RK3399 is also well-suited for robotics applications due to its powerful processing cores and support for multiple I/O interfaces. Whether for controlling robotic arms, performing sensor data analysis, or running real-time computer vision algorithms, the RK3399 offers the necessary performance and flexibility for robotic systems.

4. High-Performance Computing

The RK3399’s octa-core CPU and Mali-T860 MP4 GPU make it an ideal choice for high-performance computing applications such as server workstations and data processing units. Its ability to handle multiple workloads concurrently, combined with its expansive RAM support, allows it to perform intensive tasks such as simulations, video rendering, and scientific calculations.

5. IoT Devices

Internet of Things (IoT) devices that require robust processing power, high-definition video output, and connectivity options can greatly benefit from the RK3399. The SoC’s support for various connectivity protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet, coupled with its high processing power, makes it an excellent choice for IoT applications in areas such as home automation, smart cities, and industrial IoT.


Benchmark Performance of the RK3399

To provide a clearer picture of the RK3399’s capabilities, it is important to compare it with other similar SoCs available in the market. Below is a comparison of the RK3399 with other leading SoCs:

Benchmark Test RK3399 Snapdragon 845 Apple A12 Bionic
Geekbench Single-Core 1700 2200 2500
Geekbench Multi-Core 4000 7700 11000
3DMark Graphics Score 4000 4200 4500
AI Benchmark Score 2300 TOPs 3500 TOPs
Video Decoding (4K) Smooth Smooth Smooth

In terms of CPU performance, the RK3399 holds its own with respectable multi-core and single-core scores, though it falls behind the Apple A12 Bionic and Snapdragon 845 in raw processing power. However, for most embedded systems and multimedia applications, the RK3399 is more than capable of providing excellent performance.

For graphics-intensive tasks, the RK3399 performs similarly to the Snapdragon 845, with good results in gaming and multimedia rendering. It is particularly effective for applications that need to display high-definition content.


RK3399 in Comparison with Other SoCs: Strengths and Weaknesses

When comparing the RK3399 with other SoCs, several factors need to be considered. Here’s a detailed analysis:

  1. Processing Power: The RK3399’s hexa-core architecture provides a good balance of performance and efficiency. However, it lags behind the Snapdragon 845 and Apple A12 Bionic in single-core performance, which could impact applications requiring single-threaded workloads. On the other hand, its multi-core performance is solid, and its ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously makes it a good choice for multi-threaded applications.
  2. Graphics Performance: The RK3399 features the Mali-T860 MP4 GPU, which is capable of handling most multimedia tasks with ease. However, in comparison to GPUs like the Adreno 630 in the Snapdragon 845 and the Apple A12’s custom GPU, the RK3399 doesn’t offer the same level of raw graphical performance, making it less suitable for high-end gaming or intensive 3D rendering tasks.
  3. Multimedia Capabilities: The RK3399 excels in multimedia applications, offering excellent 4K video decoding and HDMI 2.0 support. While the Snapdragon 845 and Apple A12 Bionic also support 4K video, the RK3399 offers more flexibility in terms of connectivity options and can easily integrate into a variety of display solutions.
  4. AI Capabilities: The RK3399 lacks a dedicated NPU, meaning it is less optimized for AI tasks compared to SoCs like the Apple A12 Bionic. However, for basic AI applications, the RK3399 can still perform admirably, leveraging its multi-core architecture for machine learning and inference tasks.

Future Outlook for RK3399: Where Does It Go From Here?

The RK3399 has proven itself as a highly capable SoC for a variety of applications. However, the increasing demand for more advanced AI capabilities, higher resolution video decoding, and more powerful GPUs may place pressure on future versions of the RK3399 to deliver even greater performance. Additionally, as embedded systems and IoT applications become more complex, the need for powerful, energy-efficient processors will continue to grow, and Rockchip will likely introduce new iterations of the RK3399 to address these needs.

The next steps for the RK3399 could involve the integration of a dedicated NPU to enhance its AI capabilities, support for higher RAM capacities, and more powerful GPU options to keep up with the competition. With growing demands in industries like autonomous systems, AI-driven robotics, and multimedia devices, there is no doubt that the RK3399 will continue to evolve to meet these needs.


In conclusion, the RK3399 remains a strong contender in the market of high-performance SoCs, providing excellent versatility for a range of applications. Its combination of processing power, multimedia capabilities, and connectivity options make it suitable for use in embedded systems, robotics, AI applications, and digital signage.

Although it faces competition from more advanced SoCs in terms of processing power and AI capabilities, the RK3399’s affordability, flexibility, and strong overall performance make it an attractive choice for many developers. As the demand for more powerful and energy-efficient embedded solutions grows, the RK3399 will continue to be an important player in the development of the next generation of smart devices and computing systems.

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