UP Core is an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 SBC that was introduced in 2017 with 1 to 4GB RAM, 16GB to 64GB eMMC flash storage, and just two ports, namely for HDMI and USB 3.0. The main advantage of the board is its small size (66×56.5 mm).
The board is now on backorder for $129 in 2GB/32GB configuration on the official UP Shop, but somehow an Aliexpres store is currently selling 999 pieces of a “Mini Z8350 2G Add 32G Atom Motherboard” that looks exactly like the UP Core board, for $63.99 including shipping (and a heatsink). Note the seller is relatively new, having registered in May 2021 with only 7 followers, so there may be risks involved.
Mini Z8350 motherboard specifications (taken from UP Core specs):
-
- SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8350 “Cherry Trail” quad-core processor @ 1.44 GHz / 1.92 GHz (Burst frequency) with Intel HD 400 graphics @ 200 / 500 MHz
- System Memory – 2 GB DDR3L-1600
- Storage – 32 GB eMMC flash, SPI flash ROM
- Video Output / Display – HDMI 1.4 port, full eDP (embedded DisplayPort) connector
- Audio I/O – Via HDMI, and I2S
- Connectivity – 802.11 b/g/n WiFi @ 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 4.0 LE (AP614A)
- USB – 1x USB 3.0 host port, 2x USB 2.0 via header
- Camera I/F – 1x 2-lane MIPI CSI, 1x 4-lane MIPI CSI
- Expansion
- 100-pin docking connector with power signals, GPIOs, UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, SDIO, I2S, HDMI SMBUS, PMC signals, 2x USB HSIC, CSI, and PCIe Gen 2
- 10-pin connector with 2x USB 2.0, 1x UART
- Misc – Power & reset buttons, RTC battery header, fan connector, BIOS reflash connector
- Power Supply – 5V/4A via 5.5/2.1mm power barrel
- Dimensions – 66 x 56.50 mm
- Temperature Range – Operating: 0 to 60 °C
- Certifications – CE/FCC Class A, RoHS compliant, REACH
I didn’t have to guess to find out it was a UP Core board, as the seller uploaded a blurry photo of the package on the Aliexpress page. That also means the board can run Windows 10, Linux, Android operating systems, and support for expansion board. You’ll find resources to get started on up-board.org.
OK. But what about the $50 price tag in the title? That’s because the same seller offers another, even cheaper Atom x5-Z8350 SBC for just $49.99 including shipping.
Finding product names is hard, so the seller went with “Z8350 2G Add 32G WIN10 Motherboard” instead. At least we know it’s based on an Atom x5-Z8350 processor coupled with 2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC flash. We can also see the HDMI port, USB 3.0, and DC jack from the photos, plus a wireless module.
But There’s little other information on the Aliexpress page, and this does not look like a typical single board computer, and instead, more like a board for a product like a tablet or a laptop. We can find out by checking the provided Windows 10 screenshot that reads LeapBook A100. That’s a 14-inch laptop that was sold several years ago.
The wireless module offers 802.11b/g/n WiFI 4 and Bluetooth 4.0, and apparently, there’s no USB 3.0 port, but two USB 2.0 interfaces instead, I’d assume one of those through an expansion board. Running anything other than Windows 10 on that board may be challenging, and somebody tried to install Lubuntu with limited success.
Those two boards are not quite as good a deal as the $35 Atomic Pi single board computer from a few years ago, but for 2021, that’s not too bad.
Thanks to Theguyuk for the tip.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Typo: “with 1 to 4GB RAM, and 16GB to 64GB RAM”
that 50usd board looked like it was designed for specific case/appliance. and indeed, googling some board markings results in:
Ilife Zed Air SA, some cheapo laptop. probably returns with broken parts, but working mobos? recycle! 🙂
That one was used in LeapBook A100 laptop as explained in the article 🙂
Some years ago i buyed for around 50 dollars an AtomicPI with the same SoC, 2G RAM, 16GB emmc, wifi, BT, mic in, audio Power amplifier, some GPIO and USB 3.0 for a little less. Later someone descrived It was made to build a Little robot, but never sold so they have sold the Mainboard, the AtomicPI itself.
The latter mobo in the article probably Is for some tablet: on Ali there are several board like this, and It has a Vin of 3.7-4.2V.
Looks like Y116C motherboard is also used in some other laptops, like one on ebay “TEQNIO” which has many similar motherboards for sale ~$30. Different Atom processor. Looks like you can buy expansion cable too to get back the ports from other side of laptop.
Actually an interesting concept wherein if you need a low end SBC for some kind of embedded project, you could pick up one of these. Raspberry Pi and many other SBC are out of stock at the moment; other Intel SBC often run $100 or more
Bought. Looks nice, thanks
oooh, this would make a very nice cluster!
Methinks I shall purchase…
Welcome to 2016.
I’m surprised that there are still stocks of these chips to be use.
This must be because of the general chip shortage, making do with whatever is left in th bins.
If you’re not really that worried about power consumption or heat production, I can’t think of a reason that 2016 hardware would be a problem, especially at this price point.
On the consumption front, the 8350 is pretty good. It can work fanless with a very small heatsink. It’s just not particularly beefy but can be sufficient for plenty of use cases. You should see it as a replacement for an ARM box rather than for an x86 one though, or you risk some disappointment from some applications’ performance.
I just compared the CPU with the J4105 from oDroid H2 (that I have). This Atom x5-Z8350 is less impressive than the J4105, but the Atom is release in 2016, compared to J4115 released in 2017. I don’t really a need for this, although it does look interesting. My oDroid H2 has SATA ports, this one does not.
You cannot buy the H2 from Hardkernel anymore and the H2+ costs $119 + p&p as well as being out of stock
I can see the price has dropped a little to US $47.21.
i need clone zx88
😉
Now would you still buy the Atomic Pi ? $39.95 you will need power board too, I think?
Still worth it in 2020 ?