RK3588 vs RK3576: Which Rockchip SoC Fits Your Project?
Overview
Both are Rockchip octa-core SoCs, but RK3588 is the flagship (higher CPU clocks, 6 TOPS NPU, 8K video, PCIe) while RK3576 is the efficiency-oriented sibling with similar multi-core layout at a lower price. If your software already targets the Rockchip stack, RK3576 is often the smarter buy.
RK3588 vs RK3576 spec table
| Spec | RK3588 | RK3576 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 4× A76 + 4× A55 (up to 2.4 GHz) | 4× A72 + 4× A53 (up to ~2.2 GHz) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MP4 | Mali-G52 MP2/MP4 |
| NPU | 6 TOPS | 6 TOPS |
| Video | 8K@60 decode / encode | 4K@60 decode / encode |
| Memory | Up to 32 GB | Up to 16 GB |
| Interfaces | PCIe, dual GbE, USB3, MIPI | GbE, USB3, MIPI, cost-optimized |
| Typical price | $269–$499 | $199–$449 |
RK3588 picks
- Station M3 ARM Mini PC – RK3588S ($349.00) — RK3588S mini PC, up to 32 GB.
- AIBOX-3588 RK3588 Edge Fanless PC ($449.00) — fanless industrial edge PC.
- ROC-RK3588S-PC SBC ($319.00) — low-cost RK3588 SBC.
- AIO-3588JD4 AI Motherboard ($359.00) — AI motherboard.
RK3576 picks
- GS1-N1 AI 1U Edge Server – RK3576 ($449.00) — RK3576 1U AI gateway / edge server.
- ROC-RK3576-PC SBC ($259.00) — affordable RK3576 SBC.
- AIO-3576C Industrial Motherboard ($269.00) — industrial AIOT motherboard.
- EC-A3576C Fanless ARM PC ($299.00) — fanless ARM PC.
When to choose RK3576 over RK3588
Choose RK3576 for cost-sensitive, always-on edge boxes, lightweight AIOT gateways, and kiosks where 4K is enough and every dollar matters. Choose RK3588 when you need 8K video, more memory headroom (up to 32 GB), PCIe expansion, or the strongest CPU for heavy preprocessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RK3576 much slower than RK3588?
In CPU-bound tasks RK3576 is roughly 20–35% behind RK3588; for many AIOT and 4K workloads the difference is minor, and both share the same 6 TOPS NPU.
Can I reuse RK3588 software on RK3576?
Largely yes — both run mainline-friendly Linux and the Rockchip BSP, so most drivers and the RKNN toolkit carry over with minor device-tree changes.
Which is better for an NVR / gateway?
RK3576 is ideal for cost-sensitive NVRs and gateways (e.g. the GS1-N1); RK3588 suits higher-channel-count or 8K analytics.
More comparisons: RK3588 vs NVIDIA Jetson · RK3588 vs RK3566 · FPGA vs GPU for AI