# Rockchip RK3399

> 64bits ARM SoC from Rockchip company

**Wikidata**: [Q28057938](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28057938)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rockchip-rk3399

## Summary
The Rockchip RK3399 is a 64-bit ARM-based system on a chip (SoC) developed by Rockchip, announced on January 6, 2016, at CES 2016 in Las Vegas. It features a dual-core ARM Cortex-A72 and quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU configuration, alongside a Mali-T860 GPU, designed for high-performance and power-efficient applications. It supports advanced multimedia capabilities, including 4K video encoding and decoding.

## Key Facts
- **Announcement Date**: January 6, 2016, at CES 2016 in Las Vegas.
- **CPU**: Dual-core ARM Cortex-A72 (up to 1.8 GHz) and quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 (up to 1.5 GHz).
- **GPU**: Mali-T860 MP4.
- **Fabrication Process**: 28 nm lithography.
- **Developer**: Rockchip.
- **Aliases**: RK3399, OP1.
- **Key Features**: Supports 4K video decoding (VP9, H.265), USB 3.0, and PCI Express.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Rockchip RK3399 used for?
A: The RK3399 is used in single-board computers, Chromebooks, and embedded systems, offering a balance of performance and power efficiency for multimedia and computing tasks.

### Q: What makes the RK3399 unique?
A: It combines a high-performance dual-core Cortex-A72 cluster with a power-efficient quad-core Cortex-A53 cluster (ARM big.LITTLE architecture), enabling dynamic workload balancing.

### Q: Does the RK3399 support 4K video?
A: Yes, it supports 4K video decoding (VP9, H.265) and encoding (H.264, VP8), making it suitable for media players and smart TVs.

## Why It Matters
The Rockchip RK3399 is significant for bridging high-performance computing and energy efficiency in embedded systems. Its heterogeneous CPU architecture (A72 + A53) allows devices to handle demanding tasks while maintaining battery life, critical for mobile and IoT applications. By integrating advanced video codecs and USB 3.0/PCIe interfaces, it enables affordable, capable devices like single-board computers (e.g., Rock Pi 4) and Chromebooks, democratizing access to technologies like 4K streaming and AI inference. Its adoption underscores Rockchip’s role in providing competitive ARM-based solutions outside the dominant Qualcomm and Samsung ecosystems.

## Notable For
- **ARM big.LITTLE Architecture**: First Rockchip SoC to use a dual-cluster CPU design for dynamic power management.
- **4K Media Support**: Hardware-accelerated VP9 and H.265 decoding, rare in mid-range SoCs at its 2016 launch.
- **USB 3.0 and PCIe**: High-speed interface support uncommon in contemporary ARM SoCs, enhancing connectivity for storage and peripherals.
- **Open-Source Ecosystem**: Supported by mainline Linux via the rockchip-linux GitHub repository, fostering community-driven development.

## Body

### Development and Announcement
- Announced on **January 6, 2016**, at **CES 2016** in Las Vegas, positioned as Rockchip’s flagship SoC for high-end tablets, smart TVs, and set-top boxes.
- Part of the RK33 Series, succeeding the RK3288 and targeting applications requiring 4K video and 3D graphics.

### CPU and GPU Specifications
- **CPU**: 
  - 2x **ARM Cortex-A72** cores (up to 1.8 GHz) for high-performance tasks.
  - 4x **ARM Cortex-A53** cores (up to 1.5 GHz) for power efficiency.
  - Implements **ARM big.LITTLE** technology for dynamic workload distribution.
- **GPU**: **Mali-T860 MP4** (up to 800 MHz), supporting OpenGL ES 3.1, OpenCL 1.2, and DirectX 11.

### Multimedia Capabilities
- **Video Decoder**: Supports **VP9** (4K@60fps), **H.265/HEVC** (4K@30fps), and **H.264** (4K@30fps).
- **Video Encoder**: **H.264** (1080p@60fps) and **VP8** (1080p@60fps).
- **Display**: Dual 4K display output via HDMI 2.0 and eDP/DSI interfaces.

### Connectivity and Peripherals
- **USB 3.0**: High-speed data transfer (up to 5 Gbps).
- **PCI Express**: 1x PCIe 2.1 lane for expansion (e.g., NVMe SSDs).
- **Audio**: Multi-channel I²S for high-resolution audio processing.

### Applications and Legacy
- **Devices**: Featured in Chromebooks (e.g., Asus Chromebook Flip C101PA), single-board computers (e.g., Rock Pi 4, NanoPC-T4), and smart home devices.
- **Software Support**: Officially supported by Android, Chrome OS, and Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu), with active community development.
- **Fabrication**: Manufactured using a **28 nm process**, balancing performance and power consumption for mid-range devices.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.rock-chips.com/a/en/products/RK33_Series/2016/0419/758.html)
2. [Source](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Rockchip-intros-RK3229-and-RK3399-chips.158133.0.html)