In the competitive landscape of embedded systems, selecting the right System-on-Chip (SoC) can make or break your product’s success. Two prominent contenders in the mid-to-high-end embedded space are NXP’s i.MX 8M Plus and Rockchip’s RK3588. Both offer compelling features, but they target slightly different applications and come with distinct architectural philosophies.
This technical comparison examines these processors from hardware, software, and ecosystem perspectives to help engineers make informed decisions.
Architectural Overview
| Feature | NXP i.MX 8M Plus | Rockchip RK3588 |
| CPU Architecture | Quad-core Cortex-A53 + Cortex-M7 | Octa-core (4x Cortex-A76 + 4x Cortex-A55) |
| CPU Performance | Up to 1.8GHz (A53) + 800MHz (M7) | Up to 2.4GHz (A76) + 1.8GHz (A55) |
| GPU | Vivante GC7000UL | ARM Mali-G610 MP4 |
| NPU/AI Acceleration | 2.3 TOPS (integrated NPU) | 6 TOPS (integrated NPU) |
| Video Processing | 4K60 encode/decode (H.265) | 8K60 encode/decode (H.265) |
| Memory Support | LPDDR4 up to 4GB | LPDDR4/LPDDR5 up to 32GB |
| Display Outputs | Dual 1080p60 or single 4K60 | Quad display, 4K@120fps or 8K@60fps |
| Typical Power | 2-4W (active) | 5-8W (active) |
Performance Analysis
CPU Performance
The RK3588 holds a significant advantage in raw CPU performance with its big.LITTLE configuration featuring Cortex-A76 cores. This makes it better suited for applications requiring substantial computational power, such as complex data processing or running multiple services simultaneously.
The i.MX 8M Plus, while less powerful in CPU terms, includes a real-time Cortex-M7 core that provides deterministic response for time-critical tasks — a crucial feature for industrial automation and control systems.
GPU Capabilities
Rockchip RK3588 (Mali-G610 MP4):
- Supports modern APIs: OpenGL ES 3.2, Vulkan 1.1, OpenCL 2.2
- Excellent for sophisticated UIs, light gaming, and visualization applications
- Higher fill rate and triangle throughput
NXP i.MX 8M Plus (Vivante GC7000UL):
- OpenGL ES 3.1, OpenCL 1.2 support
- More than adequate for industrial HMIs and embedded displays
- Lower power consumption for graphical tasks
AI Performance
Both processors include dedicated neural processing units, but with different approaches:
- RK3588: 6 TOPS performance, suitable for complex AI inference at the edge
- i.MX 8M Plus: 2.3 TOPS, optimized for industrial vision applications
The RK3588’s higher TOPS rating makes it better for applications requiring multiple simultaneous AI models or higher-resolution neural network processing.
Multimedia Capabilities
Video Processing
RK3588 Strengths:
- 8K video decode and encode capabilities
- Support for AV1 decode (future-proof for streaming)
- Multiple video streams simultaneously
i.MX 8M Plus Strengths:
- Reliable 4K processing with lower power consumption
- Better documentation and predictable performance
- Industrial-grade reliability
Display Support
The RK3588 supports significantly more display configurations, including multiple independent displays — ideal for digital signage, kiosks, and advanced HMIs. The i.MX 8M Plus covers the essential display needs for most industrial applications with solid reliability.
Connectivity Comparison
| Interface | NXP i.MX 8M Plus | Rockchip RK3588 |
| Ethernet | 2x Gigabit (one with TSN) | Dual Gigabit + PCIe for 2.5G/5G |
| USB | 2x USB 3.0 + 1x USB 2.0 | 2x USB 3.1 + 2x USB 2.0 |
| PCIe | PCIe 3.0 (1 lane) | PCIe 3.0 (3 lanes) + PCIe 2.1 (1 lane) |
| Other | CAN-FD, MIPI-CSI, I2S, UART | Multiple MIPI-CSI, HDMI 2.1, SATA 3.0 |
The i.MX 8M Plus includes industrial interfaces like CAN-FD and TSN Ethernet, making it particularly strong in automotive and industrial applications. The RK3588 offers more general-purpose high-speed interfaces, better suited for consumer and commercial applications.
Software and Development Experience
Linux Support
NXP i.MX 8M Plus:
- Excellent Yocto Project support
- Long-term stable kernels (5+ years)
- Mainline Linux support improving
- Comprehensive documentation
Rockchip RK3588:
- Android and Linux support
- Vendor kernel (often newer versions)
- Large community support
- More fragmented documentation
Development Tools
NXP provides the comprehensive MCUXpresso toolset, while Rockchip relies more on community tools and vendor-provided SDKs. NXP’s tools are generally more polished and better documented.
Long-term Support
NXP typically offers 10–15 years of product longevity, crucial for industrial and automotive applications. Rockchip’s product lifecycle is generally shorter but sufficient for most consumer and commercial applications.
Power Consumption and Thermal Management
The i.MX 8M Plus operates at significantly lower power, typically 2–4W under load compared to the RK3588’s 5–8W. This makes the NXP processor better for thermally constrained or battery-powered applications.
The RK3588 requires more sophisticated thermal management, often needing heatsinks or active cooling in demanding applications.
Use Case Recommendations
Choose NXP i.MX 8M Plus when:
- Building industrial automation equipment
- Developing automotive infotainment systems
- Creating medical devices requiring certification
- Needing long-term (10+ years) availability
- Working on power-constrained applications
- Requiring real-time response capabilities
Choose Rockchip RK3588 when:
- Developing high-performance multimedia devices
- Building AI-powered edge computing systems
- Creating digital signage or kiosk systems
- Needing multiple display outputs
- Working on consumer electronics with shorter lifecycles
- Requiring maximum CPU performance
Rapid Prototyping and Development
For teams looking to rapidly launch projects, adopting mature System-on-Module (SOM) or Single Board Computer (SBC) solutions based on these two SoCs — offered by suppliers such as Geniatech — can be an efficient approach. For example, Geniatech’s RK3588 products provide a powerful ready-to-use hardware platform for high-performance multimedia and AI applications, while its embedded systems based on the i.MX 8M Plus offer a solid foundation for projects requiring industrial-grade reliability and long-term availability.
Cost Considerations
While pricing varies based on volume and specific configurations, generally:
- NXP i.MX 8M Plus: Higher unit cost but potentially lower total system cost due to simpler power delivery and thermal requirements
- Rockchip RK3588: Competitive silicon pricing but may require more expensive supporting components (power, cooling, memory)
Ecosystem and Support
NXP provides enterprise-grade support with comprehensive documentation, direct engineering support, and well-established distribution channels. Rockchip’s support is often channeled through module makers and ODMs, which can be excellent but varies by partner.
Conclusion
Both the NXP i.MX 8M Plus and Rockchip RK3588 are capable processors, but they serve different segments of the embedded market:
- For industrial, automotive, and mission-critical applications: The i.MX 8M Plus’s reliability, long-term availability, and industrial features make it the preferred choice.
- For high-performance multimedia, AI, and consumer applications: The RK3588’s superior CPU/GPU performance and advanced multimedia capabilities give it the edge.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific application requirements, performance needs, thermal constraints, and product lifecycle expectations. Both platforms continue to evolve, with strong communities and vendor support ensuring their relevance in the embedded landscape for years to come.