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RISC-V was supposed to change everything—How's it going?

YouTube Video

Summary

This YouTube video reviews the SiFive P550 RISC-V Development Board, a Mini-DTX form factor SBC. The reviewer, Jeff Geerling, explores its features, performance, and software compatibility, positioning it within the context of the evolving RISC-V ecosystem.

Key Takeaways from the Review:

  • Introduction to RISC-V and the P550: The video starts by highlighting RISC-V architecture as a potentially disruptive open ISA, cheaper for companies to use than ARM or x86. The P550 is introduced as the fastest RISC-V development board currently available, significantly faster than previous RISC-V boards tested (VisionFive 2, Framework RISC-V mainboard, Jupiter board). Despite this, it’s emphasized that “fastest” is relative; it’s still comparable to a Raspberry Pi 3B+ in overall performance, but at a much higher price point ($400 vs $35 for Pi 3B+).
  • Hardware Features: The P550 boasts impressive hardware specifications, including:
    • 20 TOPS NPU for AI acceleration (though not fully functional out-of-the-box in the tested software).
    • Imagination GPU for video acceleration.
    • 40-pin GPIO header similar to Raspberry Pi.
    • Mini-DTX form factor, slightly larger than Mini-ITX, potentially limiting case compatibility.
    • Full-size PCIe slot (x4 Gen 3) and a mini M.2 slot (initially mistaken for PCIe, later clarified as SDIO).
    • LPDDR5 RAM, theoretically capable of high bandwidth, but currently underutilized by the P550 cores.
  • Performance Benchmarks:
    • General Computing: Performance is described as “slow, like decade old computer slow,” and “a lot lot slower” than a normal computer. While usable for basic tasks, it’s not suitable as a daily desktop for demanding tasks like video watching in high quality.
    • AI/LLMs: CPU-based LLM inference (llama) is extremely slow (0.24 tokens per second) compared to a Raspberry Pi 5 (5 tokens per second). The NPU is not yet readily usable. GPU acceleration using an AMD GPU (via PCIe) is explored, showing improved LLM performance (15-30 tokens per second with older AMD GPUs).
    • Gaming:
      • Older AAA Windows Games (Witcher 3): Barely playable at 0-2 FPS, heavily CPU-bound, but technically runs through multiple layers of emulation and translation (Box64, Wine, DXVK). This is seen as a positive sign for future RISC-V performance.
      • Simpler 3D Games (World of Goo): Playable but still CPU-bound and not fully smooth.
      • Native Linux Games (SuperTuxKart): Runs smoothly at 50 FPS with an AMD GPU, demonstrating the potential when software is optimized and hardware is utilized effectively.
    • Power Efficiency: Disappointing power efficiency compared to Raspberry Pi 5. P550 consumes 8-13W at idle and has a poor GigFlops per Watt ratio (8 vs 3 on Pi 5). However, it’s noted as the most efficient RISC-V board tested, indicating the general state of RISC-V efficiency currently.
    • PCIe Performance: PCIe Gen 3 x4 slot tested with NVMe SSD and AMD GPUs. NVMe speeds are lower than expected (800 MB/s vs expected 2 GB/s), suggesting limitations in the P550 core’s ability to fully utilize PCIe bandwidth. AMD GPUs (R5 230, RX 480, attempted 6700 XT) are shown to be compatible using open-source drivers, enabling graphics acceleration.
  • Software Support: A major positive point is the rapidly improving software ecosystem for RISC-V. Native builds for many developer tools are available, reducing the need for patching and compilation. The P550 runs a relatively recent Linux kernel with only around 100 patches over mainline, indicating better upstream support compared to older RISC-V boards. However, consumer applications like Zoom and Netflix are not yet readily available. Software optimization for RISC-V extensions is still lacking, leading to suboptimal performance compared to x86 and ARM.
  • Noise and Thermal Management: The initial setup is described as noisy due to a loud Flex ATX power supply and a constantly running heatsink fan. Manual fan control is possible, and automatic fan control is hoped for in future firmware updates. The board runs at reasonable temperatures even under load.
  • Target Audience and Conclusion: The P550 is not recommended for general consumers due to its high price and relatively low performance compared to readily available alternatives. Instead, it’s targeted towards developers who want to build and test software for the RISC-V architecture and need a well-supported, relatively powerful hardware platform. The reviewer is excited about the progress of RISC-V, noting its rapidly improving software support and potential to become a significant player in the industry, breaking the x86/ARM duopoly.

Accuracy

The information presented in the transcript is generally accurate based on established knowledge about RISC-V architecture, single-board computers, and the current state of the RISC-V ecosystem. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

  • RISC-V being an open and cheaper architecture: This is accurate. RISC-V’s open ISA model does reduce licensing costs compared to proprietary architectures like ARM, which can be a significant advantage for companies developing custom chips.
  • RISC-V performance being “slow”: This is a relative statement but generally true for currently available RISC-V processors compared to modern high-performance ARM or x86 CPUs. The comparison to “decade-old computer slow” is a bit of hyperbole but conveys the performance gap. It’s important to note that RISC-V performance is rapidly improving.
  • P550 being the “fastest RISC-V dev board”: At the time of the review, this claim is likely accurate based on publicly available information and reviews of other RISC-V boards. The SiFive P5 series cores are designed for higher performance than earlier RISC-V cores used in SBCs.
  • Hardware specifications (NPU, GPU, GPIO, PCIe, RAM): These specifications are consistent with what has been publicly announced and expected for the SiFive P550 and related boards.
  • Software support for RISC-V improving: This is a well-documented trend. The RISC-V Foundation and the open-source community are actively working on improving software support, including Linux kernel integration, compiler toolchains, and application availability. The claim that RISC-V is “riding ARM’s coattails” in terms of software support is a reasonable observation, as RISC-V benefits from the existing open-source software ecosystem that has already been ported to ARM.
  • Performance benchmarks (LLM tokens/second, gaming FPS, NVMe speeds): The benchmark numbers presented seem realistic for the hardware and software configuration described. The slow LLM performance on CPU and the improvement with GPU acceleration are expected. The PCIe NVMe speed limitation is also plausible and likely due to a combination of core performance and early-stage board/firmware optimization.
  • Power consumption: The reported power consumption figures (8-13W idle) are on the higher side for an SBC, especially when compared to Raspberry Pi. This is also consistent with early-generation high-performance RISC-V chips which may prioritize performance over efficiency in initial iterations.
  • Target audience being developers: This is accurate. Due to the price and performance profile, and the focus on RISC-V development, the P550 is clearly aimed at developers and early adopters rather than general consumers.

Minor Nuances and Potential Over-Simplifications:

  • “Decade old computer slow”: While RISC-V performance is currently lower, comparing it directly to a “decade-old computer” is a simplification. The architecture is modern, and performance is improving. It’s more accurate to say it’s slower than current generation mainstream CPUs in comparable price ranges.
  • “Riding ARM’s coattails”: While RISC-V benefits from the open-source software ecosystem developed for ARM, it’s also building its own unique ecosystem and community. The phrasing might slightly downplay the independent efforts within the RISC-V community.
  • “Cheaper for companies to use”: While RISC-V licensing is indeed open and can be cheaper, the overall cost for companies also depends on design complexity, manufacturing, and software development. “Potentially cheaper” might be a more nuanced phrasing.

Overall Accuracy Assessment: The transcript provides a largely accurate and informative overview of the SiFive P550 and the current state of RISC-V technology. The reviewer’s assessments and performance observations align with general understanding and expectations within the tech community. Minor nuances exist in the phrasing, but the core information is solid.

Resources

Here are the top 5 most relevant resources to learn more about the subjects presented in the transcript:

  1. RISC-V Foundation Website (riscv.org):

    • Relevance: This is the official website of the RISC-V Foundation, the non-profit organization that develops and promotes the RISC-V ISA.
    • Content: Offers comprehensive information about the RISC-V architecture, specifications, member companies, events, news, and educational resources. It’s the primary starting point for anyone wanting to understand RISC-V in detail.
    • Why it’s top resource: Provides authoritative and up-to-date information directly from the source.

  2. SiFive Website (sifive.com):

    • Relevance: SiFive is a leading company in the RISC-V ecosystem, designing and selling RISC-V processor IP and SoCs, including the cores used in the P550.
    • Content: Offers information about SiFive’s products, technologies, and services related to RISC-V. You can learn about their core architectures, development tools, and the broader RISC-V ecosystem they are building.
    • Why it’s top resource: Provides insights into a key commercial player in RISC-V and their specific implementations, like the P5 series mentioned in the video.

  3. The RISC-V Reader: An Open Architecture Atlas (Book/Online):

    • Relevance: This book (available online and in print) is a highly recommended educational resource for understanding the RISC-V architecture in depth.
    • Content: Provides a detailed and accessible explanation of the RISC-V instruction set architecture, covering its design principles, instruction formats, memory model, and extensions.
    • Why it’s top resource: Offers a structured and in-depth learning path for understanding the technical details of RISC-V, going beyond surface-level information.

  4. ExplainingComputers YouTube Channel (youtube.com/@explainingcomputers):

    • Relevance: Mentioned in the transcript itself, ExplainingComputers likely has a dedicated video specifically on the SiFive P550 hardware details.
    • Content: This channel provides clear and informative videos explaining various aspects of computer technology, including hardware reviews, architecture explanations, and industry trends.
    • Why it’s top resource: Provides a more visual and accessible explanation of the P550 hardware features, complementing the technical details from other resources. It’s also the source video’s recommendation.

  5. RISC-V GitHub Repositories (github.com - search “riscv”):

    • Relevance: GitHub is where much of the open-source development for RISC-V takes place.
    • Content: Searching “riscv” on GitHub will lead to numerous repositories related to RISC-V, including:
      • RISC-V ISA Specifications: Official specifications in machine-readable formats.
      • RISC-V Toolchains (compilers, assemblers, debuggers): Essential tools for RISC-V software development.
      • RISC-V Linux Kernel and distributions: Source code and projects related to running Linux on RISC-V.
      • RISC-V software libraries and applications: Various open-source projects ported to or developed for RISC-V.
    • Why it’s top resource: Provides access to the actual code and ongoing development efforts within the RISC-V ecosystem, allowing for deeper technical exploration and contribution. For developers, this is invaluable.

These resources offer a blend of official information, educational material, commercial perspectives, and access to the open-source community driving RISC-V forward, providing a well-rounded starting point for learning more about the topics discussed in the video transcript.

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