solderic.com Teensy 4.0 offers a significant performance boost with a 600 MHz ARM Cortex-M7 processor compared to the Teensy 3.6's 180 MHz Cortex-M4, making it ideal for demanding applications requiring faster processing and more memory. Discover how these differences can impact Your projects by exploring the detailed comparison in the rest of the article.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Teensy 4.0 | Teensy 3.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | ARM Cortex-M7, 600 MHz | ARM Cortex-M4F, 180 MHz |
| Flash Memory | 2 MB | 1 MB |
| RAM | 1024 KB | 256 KB |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3 V | 3.3 V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 40 | 58 |
| Analog Inputs | 14 | 25 |
| USB | USB Full-Speed, USB Host | USB Full-Speed, USB Host |
| SD Card Support | No onboard slot | Yes, built-in SD card slot |
| PWM Pins | 31 | 22 |
| Dimensions | 35.56 mm x 17.78 mm | 61 mm x 17.78 mm |
Introduction to Teensy 4.0 and Teensy 3.6
Teensy 4.0 features a 600 MHz ARM Cortex-M7 processor, offering significantly faster performance compared to the Teensy 3.6's 180 MHz ARM Cortex-M4 processor. Both boards provide extensive I/O options and compatibility with Arduino IDE, but Teensy 4.0 delivers enhanced processing power and improved memory capacity, including 1024 KB RAM versus 256 KB on the Teensy 3.6. Teensy 4.0 is ideal for high-speed applications requiring advanced computational abilities, while Teensy 3.6 suits projects needing moderate performance with robust peripherals.
Core Processor Architecture Comparison
Teensy 4.0 features the ARM Cortex-M7 processor running at 600 MHz, significantly outperforming the Teensy 3.6's ARM Cortex-M4 at 180 MHz in both speed and computational efficiency. The Cortex-M7 architecture supports advanced SIMD instructions and improved pipeline design, offering enhanced real-time processing capabilities ideal for complex applications. Your projects benefit from the Teensy 4.0's superior core architecture when demanding higher processing power and faster response times.
Clock Speed and Performance Differences
Teensy 4.0 operates at a clock speed of 600 MHz, significantly faster than the Teensy 3.6's 180 MHz, delivering more than three times the processing power. This higher clock speed in Teensy 4.0 enables superior performance in complex computations, real-time audio processing, and faster data handling for your projects. The advanced ARM Cortex-M7 core in Teensy 4.0 enhances instruction throughput, making it a better choice for applications demanding high-speed execution and improved efficiency.
Memory and Storage Capabilities
Teensy 4.0 features 1024 KB of RAM and 2048 KB of flash memory, offering significantly faster processing speeds due to its ARM Cortex-M7 core at 600 MHz. In contrast, Teensy 3.6 provides 256 KB of RAM and 1024 KB of flash memory, based on an ARM Cortex-M4 core at 180 MHz, suitable for less intensive applications. Your projects demanding higher memory and storage capacity will benefit from Teensy 4.0's enhanced specifications, enabling more complex code and data handling.
Input/Output and Pin Compatibility
The Teensy 4.0 offers 40 digital input/output pins, while the Teensy 3.6 provides 62 pins, including 36 digital and 25 analog inputs, catering to more extensive I/O needs. Teensy 4.0 introduces improved pin functions with faster GPIO toggling and enhanced PWM capabilities, though it maintains partial pin compatibility with Teensy 3.6, requiring careful attention to pin assignments when migrating your projects. Your choice should consider whether higher I/O pin count or advanced performance features align better with your application requirements.
Power Consumption and Efficiency
The Teensy 4.0 offers significantly higher processing power with its 600 MHz ARM Cortex-M7 core while maintaining power efficiency comparable to the Teensy 3.6, which runs at 180 MHz with an ARM Cortex-M4 core. Despite the increased clock speed, the Teensy 4.0's advanced 28 nm fabrication process reduces power consumption during intensive tasks, making it suitable for projects requiring high performance without excessive energy use. Your choice between these models should consider the balance between processing needs and power efficiency, especially for battery-powered or energy-sensitive applications.
USB and Peripheral Support
Teensy 4.0 offers significantly faster USB speeds with USB 2.0 High-Speed (480 Mbps) compared to Teensy 3.6's Full-Speed USB 1.1 (12 Mbps), enhancing data transfer performance for your projects. Peripheral support on Teensy 4.0 is expanded, including up to three programmable FlexIO modules and more UARTs, SPI, and I2C interfaces, providing greater flexibility for complex applications. The enhanced USB and peripheral capabilities make Teensy 4.0 a superior choice when your design demands high-speed connectivity and extensive hardware integration.
Software and Development Environment
Teensy 4.0 offers significantly improved software performance with its ARM Cortex-M7 core running at 600 MHz, compared to the Teensy 3.6's Cortex-M4 at 180 MHz, enabling faster processing and more complex applications. Both boards support the Arduino IDE and Teensyduino, but Teensy 4.0 benefits from enhanced libraries optimized for its advanced architecture, improving development efficiency. Your development environment will be more versatile with Teensy 4.0's updated toolchain and broader compatibility with modern software frameworks.
Community Support and Resources
Teensy 4.0 benefits from a rapidly growing community, driven by its advanced ARM Cortex-M7 processor at 600 MHz, attracting developers focused on high-performance embedded projects. Teensy 3.6 enjoys well-established community support with extensive libraries and forums due to its longer market presence and widespread adoption among hobbyists and professionals. Both platforms have robust resources on PJRC's official site, but Teensy 3.6 offers more mature third-party tutorials and project examples, whereas Teensy 4.0's support is expanding as users optimize for its enhanced processing power and features.
Best Use Cases for Teensy 4.0 vs Teensy 3.6
Teensy 4.0 excels in high-performance applications like real-time audio processing, advanced robotics, and machine learning due to its 600 MHz ARM Cortex-M7 processor and enhanced floating-point capabilities. Teensy 3.6 is better suited for projects requiring extensive I/O options and reliability, such as data logging, automotive controls, and sensor hubs, featuring a 180 MHz ARM Cortex-M4 processor with a broader peripheral set. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize raw speed and computation (Teensy 4.0) or comprehensive connectivity and versatility (Teensy 3.6).
teensy 4.0 vs teensy 3.6 Infographic
