Comparing the electricity consumption of Orange Pi models requires analyzing their idle power, load power, and overall efficiency. Below is a comparison of popular Orange Pi models grouped by category, along with their estimated power consumption:
1. Entry-Level Models (Low-Power IoT and Embedded Systems)
| Model | Idle Power | Load Power | Power Supply Requirement | Efficiency Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Pi Zero | ~0.7W (140mA @ 5V) | ~2.0W (400mA @ 5V) | 5V/2A | Moderate efficiency but runs hot. |
| Orange Pi Zero LTS | ~0.5W (100mA @ 5V) | ~1.5W (300mA @ 5V) | 5V/1A or 5V/2A | 30% lower power consumption than Zero. Cooler and stable. |
| Orange Pi R1 | ~0.9W (180mA @ 5V) | ~2.5W (500mA @ 5V) | 5V/2A | Dual Ethernet increases power consumption slightly. |
| Orange Pi i96 | ~0.3W (60mA @ 5V) | ~0.8W (160mA @ 5V) | 5V/1A | Ultra-low power, compact IoT solution. |
Key Observations:
- The Orange Pi Zero LTS is the most efficient among the general-purpose entry-level models.
- The Orange Pi i96 consumes the least electricity, making it ideal for ultra-low-power IoT projects.
2. General Purpose Models (Moderate Performance)
| Model | Idle Power | Load Power | Power Supply Requirement | Efficiency Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Pi One | ~1.2W (240mA @ 5V) | ~3.0W (600mA @ 5V) | 5V/2A | Basic SBC with moderate power consumption. |
| Orange Pi Lite | ~1.1W (220mA @ 5V) | ~2.8W (560mA @ 5V) | 5V/2A | Wi-Fi increases power slightly compared to One. |
| Orange Pi PC | ~1.5W (300mA @ 5V) | ~3.5W (700mA @ 5V) | 5V/2A | Slightly higher power draw due to 1GB RAM. |
| Orange Pi PC Plus | ~1.6W (320mA @ 5V) | ~4.0W (800mA @ 5V) | 5V/2A | Onboard eMMC and Wi-Fi increase power demand. |
Key Observations:
- These models consume more power than entry-level boards but are still low-power compared to typical PCs.
- Orange Pi Lite is more efficient than the PC models due to less onboard hardware.
3. Media and Desktop-Oriented Models
| Model | Idle Power | Load Power | Power Supply Requirement | Efficiency Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Pi Plus 2 | ~2.5W (500mA @ 5V) | ~5.0W (1A @ 5V) | 5V/2A | Additional storage and Wi-Fi increase consumption. |
| Orange Pi Plus 2E | ~2.3W (460mA @ 5V) | ~4.5W (900mA @ 5V) | 5V/2A | Slightly more efficient than Plus 2 due to optimizations. |
| Orange Pi 3 | ~2.0W (400mA @ 5V) | ~6.0W (1.2A @ 5V) | 5V/3A | 4K support increases load consumption. |
Key Observations:
- Power consumption rises significantly with increased performance and hardware capabilities.
- The Orange Pi 3 supports advanced video output and is less efficient for idle tasks.
4. High-Performance Models
| Model | Idle Power | Load Power | Power Supply Requirement | Efficiency Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Pi 4 | ~3.0W (600mA @ 5V) | ~8.0W (1.6A @ 5V) | 5V/4A | Hexa-core CPU requires significant power under load. |
| Orange Pi 5 | ~5.0W (1A @ 5V) | ~12.0W (2.4A @ 5V) | 5V/5A | Octa-core processor and 8K support demand high power. |
Key Observations:
- These boards consume significantly more power due to advanced processors, PCIe, and 4K/8K media capabilities.
- Orange Pi 5 is suitable for users needing desktop-class performance.
5. Networking Models
| Model | Idle Power | Load Power | Power Supply Requirement | Efficiency Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Pi R1 | ~0.9W (180mA @ 5V) | ~2.5W (500mA @ 5V) | 5V/2A | Designed for low-power networking applications. |
| Orange Pi R1 Plus | ~1.5W (300mA @ 5V) | ~4.0W (800mA @ 5V) | 5V/2A | Improved networking performance but higher consumption. |
Comparative Summary:
Lowest Power Consumption:
- Orange Pi i96: (~0.3W idle, ~0.8W load) is the most energy-efficient.
- Ideal for ultra-low-power IoT and embedded applications.
Moderate Power Consumption:
- Orange Pi Zero LTS (~0.5W idle, ~1.5W load) is efficient for general IoT and headless applications.
- The Orange Pi Lite and Orange Pi One offer a balance of features and power consumption (~1-3W).
Higher Power Consumption:
- Models like Orange Pi 3 and Plus 2E (up to 6W load) are more power-hungry due to video output and onboard storage.
High-End Models:
- Orange Pi 4 (~3-8W) and Orange Pi 5 (~5-12W) offer significant computing power but require high power, especially at full load.
Power Efficiency Recommendations:
- For Low-Power IoT: Use Orange Pi i96, Zero LTS, or R1.
- For Media/General Use: Choose Orange Pi PC Plus, Plus 2E, or Lite.
- For Power Users: Consider Orange Pi 4 or Orange Pi 5 for demanding tasks but ensure sufficient power supply.
Let me know if you’d like more details on specific models!