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VisionFive 2 Lite SBC Review – Ubuntu 24.04 on a low-cost RISC-V SBC in 2026
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VisionFive 2 Lite SBC Review – Ubuntu 24.04 on a low-cost RISC-V SBC in 2026

Admin • (Updated: ) • 2 min read

Abstract

This 2026 review of the low-cost StarFive VisionFive 2 Lite SBC, based on the JH7110S RISC-V SoC, demonstrates significant maturation in the platform’s core Linux support by successfully booting Ubuntu 24.04. The board provides an accessible entry point to RISC-V development with modern connectivity and strong initial boot performance. However, attempting a standard system upgrade immediately broke the proprietary Imagination GPU drivers, forcing a critical fallback to software rendering and highlighting persistent instability in the RISC-V desktop software stack.

Report

Key Highlights

  • Software Maturation: The review, set in 2026, highlights substantial progress in the RISC-V software ecosystem, allowing Ubuntu 24.04 to boot successfully on the low-cost platform—a significant improvement over prior years.
  • Target Audience: The VisionFive 2 Lite is positioned as a low-cost, credit card-sized gateway for getting started with Linux RISC-V development.
  • Out-of-Box Success: The preinstalled Ubuntu 24.04.3 image booted quickly (around 50 seconds for Ethernet link up) and utilized hardware GPU acceleration (Imagination PowerVR BXE-4-32) before updates.
  • Critical Instability: Running sudo apt dist-upgrade caused the system to become nearly unresponsive and resulted in the permanent failure of the GPU driver, triggering errors about firmware loading (pvrsrvkm... failed with error -2) and forcing a slow software rendering mode (softpipe).

Technical Details

  • SBC Model: StarFive VisionFive 2 Lite.
  • SoC: StarFive JH7110S quad-core RISC-V processor.
  • Memory: 4GB BIWIN BWMZAX32H2A-32Gb-X.
  • Graphics: Imagination Technologies PowerVR B-Series BXE-4-32 GPU, initially running OpenGL ES 3.2.
  • Wireless Connectivity: LB-LINK BL-M8800DS2-40 dual-band WiFi 6 (AX) and Bluetooth 5.2 module (based on AIC8800).
  • Storage/Expansion: M.2 PCIe Gen2 x1 socket, microSD card slot (used for OS boot), MIPI DSI and CSI connectors.
  • I/O Ports: USB-C for power, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, 1x USB 3.0, 3x USB 2.0, PoE header, and 40-pin Raspberry Pi-compatible GPIO header.
  • Power Management: AXP15060 PMIC.
  • Operating System: Ubuntu 24.04.3 preinstalled desktop image (riscv64+vf2-lite).

Implications

  • Ecosystem Validation: The successful deployment and initial functionality of Ubuntu 24.04 confirms that foundational RISC-V kernel and boot support is robust and mature enough for consumer-level SBCs.
  • Desktop Hurdles: The immediate failure following a basic package upgrade highlights that the stability and long-term maintainability of the RISC-V desktop environment, especially regarding proprietary closed-source drivers (like those for the Imagination GPU), is still fragile.
  • Developer Accessibility: The VisionFive 2 Lite, with its low cost and modern expansion features (PCIe Gen2, WiFi 6), serves as a crucial, accessible hardware platform necessary for expanding the RISC-V developer community.
  • Software Dependency Issue: The review demonstrates a continued risk that necessary proprietary drivers are tightly coupled to specific OS versions or kernel builds, making standard Linux practices like routine system upgrades dangerous for non-core features like graphical acceleration.