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System-on-Module vs Single Board Computer vs Full Custom: Which Is Cheapest?
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Every embedded product team faces the same question: buy a ready-made single board computer (SBC), design a carrier board around a computer-on-module or system-on-module (SOM), or design the whole board from scratch. The right answer depends on volumes, I/O and how long the product will be sold.
Single board computer
- Lowest development cost and fastest start
- Fixed I/O and form factor, often not a perfect fit
- Mechanical and connector compromises
- Best for prototypes and low volumes
Computer-on-module / system-on-module + carrier board
- The complex part (CPU, memory, power sequencing) is bought off the shelf
- Your carrier board only implements your specific I/O and connectors
- CPU upgrades without redesigning the carrier board
- Best for 100 to tens of thousands of units per year
Full custom design
- Lowest unit cost at very high volumes
- High development cost, long qualification, high-speed layout risk
- Every processor change means a new design
Our recommendation
For most industrial products, a module-based design offers the best total cost of ownership: you keep control of your I/O and mechanics while reducing risk and time-to-market. Popular choices are COM Express Type 6 for x86 performance, COM Express Type 10 for compact designs and SMARC for low-power ARM.
Get a quote within 24 hours
Tokhatec helps you choose the module, design the carrier board and qualify the complete system. Request a quote.