Introducing an upgraded retro emulation media center – the Rockbox PLUS!
This article breaks down the technical detail and sets performance expectations between between:
Rockchip RK3328 vs RK3566
⚙️ CPU Comparison
Spec | RK3328 | RK3566 |
---|---|---|
CPU Architecture | 4 × Cortex-A53 (ARMv8-A 64-bit) | 4 × Cortex-A55 (ARMv8.2-A 64-bit) |
Clock Speed | up to 1.5 GHz | up to 1.8 GHz |
Process Node | 28 nm | 22 nm |
Cache / Efficiency | Smaller L2, older µarch | Larger L2 per core, +15 % IPC gain |
CPU Benchmark Gain (est.) | – | ≈ 40 – 50 % faster overall in synthetic tests |
➡️ Summary:
The RK3566’s Cortex-A55 cores are roughly 15–20 % faster per clock than the RK3328’s A53s, and it also runs at a slightly higher frequency. Combined, that yields a ~40–50 % overall CPU performance increase in typical workloads (browsing, emulation, streaming, system responsiveness).
🧮 GPU Comparison
Spec | RK3328 | RK3566 |
---|---|---|
GPU | Mali-450 MP2 | Mali-G52 2EE (Bifrost architecture) |
Shader Cores | 2 fragment cores | 2 execution engines (≈ 4–5× perf) |
OpenGL ES Support | Up to 2.0 | Up to 3.2 |
3D Performance Gain | Baseline | ≈ 3–4× higher fill rate + modern API support |
➡️ Summary:
GPU performance is where the biggest leap happens — the Mali-G52 absolutely outclasses the old Mali-450 MP2, delivering 3–4× faster graphics throughput and enabling far better emulator and video-shader performance.
📊 Real-World Gains (Typical)
Workload | RK3566 vs RK3328 |
---|---|
Retro Emulation (PS1/N64/DC) | +40–60 % higher FPS |
1080p / 4K Video Playback | Hardware decode smoother and more efficient |
Power Efficiency | ≈ 25–30 % lower power draw at same load |
✅ In Addition:
The Rockbox PLUS includes more RAM, more onboard storage, Bluetooth 4.0, faster Wired and Wireless networking options, as well as an LCD screen which shows the time and current connections.
✅ In Summary:
The Rockchip RK3566 CPU is roughly 150% faster than the RK3328 and the GPU is 300%–400% faster, while also running cooler and consuming less power.
This translates that the RK3566 performs roughly twice as fast overall as the RK3328 in realistic mixed workloads.