SiFive has created a PC-style motherboard as part of a platform for native Risc-V code development that “enables developers to create the Risc-V-based software they need for Risc-V platforms”, it said. “From real-time operating systems to custom Linux distributions, and the compilers, libraries, and applications that go with product design.

SiFive-HiFive-Unmatched-RiscV-dev-board

Called ‘HiFive Unmatched’, at its heart is the SiFive FU740 SoC – a five-core heterogeneous, coherent processor chip with four SiFive U74 cores and a SiFive S7 core.

The U-Series are Linux-capable 64-bit Risc-V application processor cores, and the S core is a 64-bit embedded core for real-time mission critical or deterministic processing.

Unmatched has the industry-standard mini-ITX form factor, allowing it to be built up in a PC case.

On-board there is 8Gbyte of DDR4, 32Mbyts ff QSPI flash and a microSD card slot.

“For the first time, standard connectors such as ATX power supplies, PCI-Express expansion, Gigabit Ethernet and USB ports are present on a single-board RISC-V development system,” according to SiFive.

In more detail:

• General purpose PCIe Gen 3 x8 slot for graphics, FPGAs or other accelerators
• M.2 slot for storage (PCIe Gen 3 x4)
• M.2 slot for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules (PCIe Gen 3 x1)
• Four USB 3.2 Gen 1 type A ports on the rear
• Gigabit Ethernet port on the rear
• Console output through microUSB type-B for debugging and monitoring

“The system will be shipped with a bootable SD card that includes Linux and popular system developer packages, with updates available for download from SiFive.com,” said the company. “From regression testing farms to individual developer contributions, SiFive HiFive Unmatched makes building applications and products more accessible than ever before.”
Suggested retail price is $665. Pre-order has yet to open.