Rockchip RK3566
The cost-efficient entry point. Same Cortex-A55 CPU family and 4K decode as the RK3568, in a smaller, cheaper, cooler package built for single-display products.
Boards using it: KTM-LT66, KTM-MS66, KTM-S68B.
At a glance
| Process | 22 nm |
| CPU | Quad-core Cortex-A55, up to 2.0 GHz |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EE — OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan 1.1 |
| NPU | ~0.8 TOPS, INT8/INT16 |
| Video decode | 4K H.265/H.264/VP9 |
| Video encode | 1080P |
| Displays | Up to 2 (HDMI 2.0a, eDP 1.3, MIPI-DSI) |
| Ethernet | Single Gigabit |
| Memory | LPDDR3/4/4X, DDR3/4 |
What it means for your product
Same media, lower cost
The RK3566 decodes 4K H.265/H.264/VP9 just like the RK3568. For a single-screen signage player showing 1080p or 4K content, it does the same job for less money and less heat. If your product is one panel and one network, this is the efficient choice.
Where it stops
The RK3566 is deliberately trimmed relative to the RK3568:
- One Ethernet, not two. No native network separation.
- Up to two displays, and one primary is the common configuration.
- PCIe 2.1, not PCIe 3.0.
- ~0.8 TOPS NPU — entry-level. Fine for presence detection or a single lightweight model; not for multi-camera analytics.
None of these limits matter for a single-display kiosk or a basic IoT panel. They matter the moment you need a second network, a third screen, or real AI — at which point you want RK3568 or RK3588.
The efficiency argument
Lower power and lower heat make the RK3566 the easiest chip in the range to run fanless in a sealed enclosure. For a product that has to be silent and maintenance-free on a wall for years, that simplicity is worth as much as raw performance.
RK3566 vs RK3568
| RK3566 | RK3568 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | Single | Dual GbE |
| PCIe | 2.1 | 3.0 ×2 |
| Displays | Up to 2 | Up to 3 |
| Cost / power | Lower | Higher |
| Everything else | Same A55 CPU, same 4K decode |
The decision is simple: RK3566 unless you need the second network, the third display, or the extra I/O — then RK3568.
Software
Runs the same firmware and API as every KTM board. Same power scheduling, GPIO, display and network calls.
Related
Chip capability figures are from Rockchip published specifications and may vary by firmware and board configuration. Board-specific values are on each board page.