Can the LeMaker HiKey 960 Mine Bitcoin Effectively?

TL;DR

The LeMaker HiKey 960 has potential for Bitcoin mining due to its octa-core processor and PCI-e slot for GPU connection, but suffers from significant usability issues. Primarily designed for Android development, it faces compatibility problems with Linux, lacks proper documentation, and has connectivity limitations, making it challenging for developers to use effectively.

Transcript

Hey guys what's going on? It's Don here from NovaSpiritTech and welcome back to my studio Today we're going to be taking a look at the Hikey 960 now before we begin I got to say that LeMaker sent me this board to do a review but they're not paying me or sponsoring me for this video So with that out of the way let's get started So you basically got ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏂 The Hikey 960 board combines advanced processor capabilities suitable for Android development, yet suffers from critical software support issues.
• 😘 The 12V power requirement may alienate a segment of the potential user base accustomed to lower-voltage devices.
• 🏂 Current Linux support is inadequate, limiting the board’s versatility beyond Android applications.
• 👤 Users are frustrated by connectivity limitations, particularly with the inactive USB ports during development.
• 🥺 The high cost is not justified by its current performance and usability, leading to skepticism among developers.
• 🖤 Documentation and community support are lacking, making troubleshooting and exploration challenging for users.
• 😒 The excitement around potential uses like graphic card interfacing is dampened by existing functional issues.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main hardware specifications of the Hikey 960?

The Hikey 960 is equipped with a big.LITTLE architecture, comprising a four-core Cortex-A73 CPU, a four-core Cortex-A53 CPU, and a Mali-G72 GPU. It also includes 3GB of RAM and 32GB of flash storage. This powerful configuration makes it a suitable choice for various applications, but its design targets Android development specifically.

Q: Why is the power requirement of the Hikey 960 a concern?

The Hikey 960 uses a 12V power supply, which is unusually high for a board intended for development similar to smartphones, which typically operate on 5V. This requirement limits compatibility with common accessories and power sources, making it less practical for hobbyists and developers who rely on lower power solutions.

Q: What issues did the creator face while attempting to use Linux on the Hikey 960?

The creator encountered significant problems booting Linux on the Hikey 960 due to UEFI incompatibility. Despite following forum suggestions and receiving an image link from the manufacturer that failed to work, they could not install or run Linux successfully, rendering the board effectively unusable for their needs.

Q: How does the Hikey 960 compare to traditional boards like Raspberry Pi?

Unlike Raspberry Pi, which is user-friendly and well-documented for general projects, the Hikey 960 is designed specifically for Android development and comes with unique power and connectivity challenges. The documentation shortage and Linux support issues further distinguish it from Raspberry Pi, hindering its utility for casual developers.

Q: What are the connectivity options offered by the Hikey 960?

The Hikey 960 features two USB Type-A ports and one USB Type-C port, along with HDMI and an SD card slot for storage. However, a noticeable flaw is that when the USB-C connection is used, the other ports become inactive, drastically limiting user interaction during development and debugging.

Q: Why is the cost of the Hikey 960 considered high, and what does it imply for potential users?

Priced at $239, the Hikey 960 is marked higher than some competitors but lacks adequate documentation and reliable performance for developers. This steep price, coupled with its operational issues, results in a questionable value perspective for potential buyers, particularly given the availability of cheaper, more reliable alternatives.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Hikey 960 features an octa-core processor, ample RAM, and storage, aimed at Android development, but is heavily reliant on 12V power, complicating usability.

• Despite its powerful architecture, the board currently faces significant issues with Linux compatibility, notably due to UEFI problems, rendering it nearly non-functional for many developers.

• The high price point of $239 combined with poor documentation and connectivity issues significantly detracts from its value proposition as a development board.