---
title: "Start9 and DeepComputing Release Open Architecture RISC-V Router: K1 Chip, 4GB RAM, and Wi-Fi AX3000 for $300"
description: "Start9 and DeepComputing have introduced a router based on the open RISC-V architecture featuring a K1 chip, 4GB RAM, and Wi-Fi AX3000. The device costs 300 dollars and comes with a TP-Link switch."
date: 2026-11-13T11:26:52.227Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/start9-risc-v-router
tags: [start9, risc-v, router, openwrt, deepcomputing, open-source, networking]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Start9 and DeepComputing Release Open Architecture RISC-V Router: K1 Chip, 4GB RAM, and Wi-Fi AX3000 for $300

![Black Start9 RISC-V router on a light background](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/13/start9-risc-v-marshrutizator/start9-risc-v-marshrutizator-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Start9 and DeepComputing released a RISC-V architecture router with a K1 chip and StartWRT firmware based on OpenWrt.
- The device features 4GB LPDDR4, 16GB eMMC, Wi-Fi AX3000 miniPCIe, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, two 1GbE RJ-45 ports, a microSD slot, and USB-C 36W PD power.
- The price is 300 dollars, and it includes a 4-port TP-Link switch in the box.
- The release fits into the broader industry trend toward the open RISC-V architecture, which enjoys government backing and use by Samsung and Western Digital.

Start9, known for developing open-source hardware and software, has officially introduced its first router built on the RISC-V processor architecture. Created in partnership with DeepComputing, the device is designed to be an affordable tool for enthusiasts and professionals who value hardware and software transparency. The device casing features the logos of both partners — START9 and DeepComputing — emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project.

### Open Architecture and OpenWrt-Based Firmware

At the core of the router is the K1 chip, implementing the RISC-V instruction set, while the operating system is the StartWRT distribution built on OpenWrt. This combination means the user gains access to open firmware with the ability to configure it independently, install additional packages, and audit the code. For an audience accustomed to proprietary solutions, this is a fundamental shift: the router ceases to be a "black box" and turns into a tool that can be managed at the system settings level.

### Hardware Components and Interfaces

The router is equipped with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 16GB of internal eMMC storage. Wireless connectivity is provided by a built-in AX3000 miniPCIe network card, complying with the modern Wi-Fi 6/6E standard. Externally, there is a microSD card slot, a USB-C power port with 36W PD support, two USB-A ports running at 5 Gbps, and two gigabit RJ-45 ports (LAN and WAN). The rear panel also features two connectors for external antennas, typical for devices with an expandable wireless subsystem.

### Price and Package Contents

The device is priced at 300 dollars. The router comes bundled with a 4-port TP-Link switch, effectively expanding the number of network ports without requiring a separate purchase. For the open-source hardware segment, this bundle makes the product much more practical for home and small office use.

### Why RISC-V: Industrial Context

The choice of RISC-V is no coincidence: the architecture is fully open and managed by the non-profit organization RISC-V International, which includes over 1,000 members across 50 countries, making it a geopolitically neutral alternative to closed x86 and ARM architectures. At the government level, RISC-V development is actively supported in China, and major manufacturers are already bringing the architecture to commercial products — for instance, Samsung uses RISC-V in its BM9K1 SSD controllers, and Western Digital uses SweRV cores in its drives. The Start9 router continues this trend, bringing open architecture into the consumer networking hardware segment.

Thus, the Start9/DeepComputing release is not just a new router, but a demonstration of the maturity of the RISC-V ecosystem: from microcontrollers and SSD controllers to full-featured networking devices with open firmware. At a price of 300 dollars and with the included TP-Link switch, the device looks like a competitive offering for those who value openness and control.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [RISC-V вместо привычных ARM или x86: представлен маршрутизатор Start9](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/11/13/risc-v-vmesto-privycnyx-arm-ili-x86-predstavlen-marsrutizator-start9.html) - Primary source: specifications, software (StartWRT/OpenWrt, K1 chip), 300 dollar price tag, and bundle with a TP-Link switch.
- [Китай вкладывается в мощного «убийцу» процессоров x86 и ARM. Поддержку обеспечат на уровне ...](https://www.cnews.ru/news/top/2025-03-04_kitaj_vlozhitsya_v_moshchnogo) - Context: government support for RISC-V in China, role of RISC-V International (1,000+ members in 50 countries), architecture openness.
- [Samsung разрабатывает SSD-контроллер на базе RISC-V вместо ARM](https://overclockers.ru/blog/Global_Chronicles/show/252853/Samsung-razrabatyvaet-SSD-kontroller-na-baze-RISC-V-vmesto-ARM) - Context: application of RISC-V in commercial products by Samsung (BM9K1) and Western Digital (SweRV cores).

## FAQ

### What architecture is the Start9 router built on?

The device is built on a K1 chip with RISC-V architecture and runs the StartWRT distribution based on OpenWrt.

### What are the main specifications of the router?

4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 16GB of built-in eMMC storage, a built-in AX3000 miniPCIe wireless card, a microSD slot, a USB-C 36W PD power port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and two 1GbE RJ-45 ports.

### How much does the device cost and what is included?

The price is 300 dollars, and a 4-port TP-Link switch is included in the package.

### Who developed the router?

The device was developed jointly by Start9 and DeepComputing.