Technology

Unleash the Power of 160 Cores: The Must-Have RISC V Co-Processor

2025-07-07

Author: Ling

A Hidden Gem in Co-Processing Technology

In a world dominated by GPUs, co-processors seem to have taken a back seat. However, innovator [bitluni] has brought them back into the spotlight with a mind-blowing creation: a 160-core RISC V supercluster built onto a compact M.2 board, and it’s all available on GitHub!

Not Your Average 160 Cores

Now, before you dismiss this as just another tech novelty, consider this: although each core is powered by the modest CH32V003 and operates at a mere 48 MHz, the sheer number of them offers impressive parallel processing capabilities. In fact, this setup echoes the computing power of mid-1980s supercomputers! [bitluni] capitalized on this potential by experimenting with a raymarcher, showcasing the cluster's abilities with a compelling demo.

The Technical Challenge

In addition to his previous M.2 project featuring an LED matrix, [bitluni]'s cluster communicates via the PCIe interface through a WCH CH382 serial connection. However, a minor setback arose: thanks to extremely thin traces, the cluster couldn't power both the cores and indicator LEDs simultaneously. Once he resolved power constraints, a new issue emerged—the communication speed. This cluster processes calculations at lightning speed but struggles to relay that data due to the limited bandwidth of the CH382. Nevertheless, this opens the door for low-bandwidth, compute-heavy tasks, and with [bitluni]'s experience in RISC-V microcontroller clusters, there’s no shortage of ideas on the horizon.

Why This Matters for Tech Enthusiasts

This $5 co-processor breakthrough serves as a testament to innovation in the tech sphere, redefining what’s possible with microcontroller clusters. For tech enthusiasts and developers looking to push the limits of what co-processors can achieve, this 160-core RISC V board is not just a novelty; it’s a glimpse into the future of computing!