MNT Reform RCORE V2 with RK3588
The latest processor upgrade for MNT Reform open hardware laptops
Back this project to help bring it into existence.
Funding ends on Oct 01, 2025 at 04:59 PM PDT.
Back this project to help bring it into existence.
Funding ends on Oct 01, 2025 at 04:59 PM PDT.
MNT Reform RCORE V2 with RK3588 is now the most powerful processor module option for MNT Reform and MNT Pocket Reform. If you desire the maximum in CPU, GPU, and RAM performance, this is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for. Originally launched in 2024, RCORE’s second revision brings a third M.2 slot for fast PCIe-based Wi-Fi cards (with USB Bluetooth) to MNT Pocket Reform and works without an internal HDMI adapter in MNT Reform, making the installation more comfortable.
RCORE’s Rockchip RK3588 processor has solid Linux and Mesa mainline support (now with Vulkan 1.4) thanks to the work of Collabora. Full Debian support is available in the MNT Reform System Image. The RCORE V2’s carrier card is fully open hardware and integrates Firefly’s high quality iCore RK3588 CPU/RAM as a plug-in module.
MNT RCORE V2 with RK3588 is the most performant octa-core Processor Module option for MNT Reform and Pocket Reform and the right choice if you desire the maximum in CPU and GPU performance as well as 16 or 32 GB of RAM. The CPU features 8 cores: 4x fast Cortex-A76 and 4x efficient Cortex-A55. The integrated ARM Mali G610 MP4 GPU delivers OpenGL/ES 3.3 with the open-source Panthor driver, with Vulkan 1.4 support.
In the classic MNT Reform chassis, it is quick to install without any additional display adapters required. Inside Pocket Reform, and with its bundled Wi-Fi board, MNT RCORE V2 unlocks an additional M.2 E-key slot for a modern, performant Wi-Fi card like the Intel AX210, giving you near-gigabit speeds and Bluetooth 5.3.
How much of a speed boost is it? Take a look at the graph below to see how it compares to the previous speed champion of the MNT Reform, the Amlogic A311D 6-core ARM chip:
| RK3588 | RCM4 A311D | i.MX8MPlus | i.MX8MQ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 4x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 + 4x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A55 | 4x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 + 2x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | 4x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 (2 GHz overclocked) | 4x 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | ARM Mali-G610 MP4 (Panthor OpenGL/ES 3.3 with Vulkan support) | ARM Mali G52 MP4 (OpenGL/ES 3.1 with Panfrost) | Vivante GC7000UL (OpenGL/ES 2.1 with Etnaviv) | Vivante GC7000L (OpenGL/ES 2.1 with Etnaviv) |
| RAM | 16 or 32 GB LPDDR4 | 4 GB LPDDR4 | 8 GB LPDDR4 | 4 GB LPDDR4 |
| Wi-Fi | Up to Wi-Fi 6E (sold separately) | Integrated RTL8822CS (Wi-Fi 5) | Integrated QCA9377 (Wi-Fi 5) | via mPCIe card |
| Bluetooth | Up to BT 5.3 (sold separately) | Integrated RTL8822CS (BT 5.0) | Integrated QCA9377 (BT 5.0) | No |
| PCIe | 2 Slots | 1 Slot | 1 Slot | 2 Slots |
| Dual Display | Yes | No (either internal or HDMI display at a time) | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB 3.0 | USB 2.0 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.0 |
| HDMI | HDMI 2.0 | HDMI 2.1 | HDMI 2.0a | HDMI 2.0a |
| Ethernet | 1 Gbit/s | 1 Gbit/s | 1 Gbit/s | 1 Gbit/s |
| Open Source Firmware | DDR4C has closed-source firmware, Mali GPU has closed-source controller firmware. | Part of boot/TF-A and Wi-Fi firmware is closed-source. | DDR4C and WiFi/BT have closed-source firmware. | DDR4C and HDMI (optional) have closed-source firmware. |
| Open Source Drivers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PDF Schematics | Yes, partial | Yes, partial | Yes, full | Yes, full |
| KiCAD Sources | Adapter only | Adapter only | Adapter only | No |
| Compatible with MNT Reform | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible with MNT Pocket Reform | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible with MNT Reform Next | Yes | No | No | No |
| Compatible with MNT Desktop Reform | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Benchmarks | 7z, glmark2-es2 | 7z, glmark2-es2 | 7z, glmark2-es2 | 7z, glmark2-es2 |
We’re already proceeding towards producing a new batch of upgrade modules and carrier boards. These should be ready to ship to backers by the fall of this year (2025).
Over the last years, through fulfilling our previous campaigns of MNT Reform and MNT Pocket Reform on Crowd Supply, we have gained substantial experience in sourcing, manufacturing, testing, and shipping electronic devices. We produce our computers and a number of related hardware products full-time in our dedicated workshop in Berlin.
After our production run is complete, we will package everything up and send it along to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, who will handle distribution to backers worldwide. You can learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.
As our fourth Crowd Supply launch, we know how to get product shipped to customers. As always, if there it’s always possible that there could be a sudden component shortage or increase in price. If that should happen, we would have to exchange a part, causing a delay in production. We are confident that with production already about to commence, we’re in great shape to deliver these modules to customers.
Should any situation arise that would delay the estimated shipping timeline, backers will be informed promptly via project updates.
Produced by MNT Research in Berlin, Germany.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
MNT RCORE RK3588 V2 Upgrade Kit for MNT Pocket Reform with 16 GB RAM and 256GB eMMC storage. Wi-Fi card not included.
MNT RCORE RK3588 V2 Upgrade Kit for MNT Pocket Reform with 32 GB RAM and 256GB eMMC storage. Wi-Fi card not included.
MNT RCORE RK3588 V2 Upgrade Kit for MNT Reform with 16 GB RAM and 256GB eMMC storage. Wi-Fi card not included.
MNT RCORE RK3588 V2 Upgrade Kit for MNT Reform with 32 GB RAM and 256GB eMMC storage. Wi-Fi card not included.
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· mntmn@mastodon.social · mntre.com
We are driven by the idea of a digital future that is open-source, accessible, and modular. Our innovative, interdisciplinary team sets high standards in terms of quality and sustainability. We combine these principles by developing open source hardware, software, and textiles in Berlin, Germany.
