Sipeed Plans a $12.50 Linux-Capable RISC-V Dev Board Family Based on the XuanTie C906

Embedded specialist Sipeed has indicated plans to launch a Linux-capable RISC-V development board built around the T-Head XuanTie C906 64-bit processor, and claims that in its most basic incarnation it could cost as little as $12.50 — a fraction of the price demanded by its rivals.

While it's possible to buy devices based on the free and open source RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA) for mere pennies, the devices target low-power low-complexity embedded work. It's equally possible to buy high-performance RISC-V devices which are capable of acting as a personal computer running a Linux distribution and popular desktop applications, but these, like SiFive's recently-announced HiFive Unmatched, typically cost hundreds of dollars.

Sipeed, though, believes it can bridge the gap — thanks to the XuanTie C906, a 64-bit RISC-V processor unveiled by Alibaba's T-Head semiconductor division last year. In a Twitter post, first spotted by CNX Software, the company claimed that it has received delivery of C906 parts capable of running Debian Linux — and that the "basic dev board price" will start at just $12.50.

Exactly what you get for that money isn't yet clear — the C906 is available with up to 16 cores at various clock speeds, there's no word on what graphics processor will be included, nor on how much memory the device will have. Those expecting multiple cores and gigabytes of memory, though, are likely to be disappointed: While Sipeed has promised Debian and HDMI video capabilities, it has stopped short of claiming the $12.50 development board will be able to run desktop-class applications.

Those interested in learning more about the board family should keep an eye on Sipeed's Twitter account.