VAR-SOM-MX8

NXP iMX8

The VAR-SOM-MX8 System on Module / Computer on Module is pin-compatible with modules from entry-level i.MX6UL/6ULL platforms, through i.MX 8M NANO/MINI/PLUS, AM62 and i.MX 93, up to i.MX 8X and 8QuadMax high-performance platforms. Allowing Variscite customers to use the same system design with full scalability, from entry level - i.MX6 Solo and Dual lite, through to i.MX6 Dual, Quad and QuadPlus, right up to iMX8 QuadMax.

The VAR-SOM-MX8 introduces advanced processing power, high-end graphics, UltraHD video capabilities and a variety of high-speed interfaces and connectivity options.

Based on NXP i.MX 8QuadMax, the VAR-SOM-MX8 carries Dual 1.6GHz ARM Cortex-A72, Quad 1.2GHz Cortex-A53 and 2x 264MHz real-time Cortex-M4F co-processor. An impressive multimedia performance spec encompasses UltraHD 4K video and display support, high-quality audio, a high performance 2D/3D graphics acceleration and camera inputs.

The SoM includes a variety of interfaces and connectivity options: dual GbE, dual USB3, PCIe, CAN FD, SPI and UART.

For the complete Pin2pin product list, check the Variscite Pin2Pin System on Module families.

** The Pin2Pin compatibility depends on pinmux options; please verify the detailed pinout table in the related SoM to confirm compatibility is maintained in your specific design.

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Highlights

CPU

2x 1.6GHz Cortex-A72 + 4x 1.2GHz Cortex-A53 + 2x Cortex M4F
NXP i.MX 8QuadMax / 8QuadPlus

High Speed Interfaces

2x USB3.0, 2x GbE, PCIe

Memory

8 GB RAM, 128 GB eMMC

Temperature range

-40 to 85°C

Multimedia

2x GC7000 2D/3D

Product Longevity

2034

Pin2pin Family

VAR-SOM Pin2Pin family

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Support

Supporting you every step of the way - from ideation to launch and beyond. Free and prompt support directly from Variscite’s R&D experts.

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Specifications

CPU Name
NXP iMX 8QuadMax/ 8QuadPlus
CPU Type
2x Cortex™-A72 + 4x Cortex™-A53
CPU Cores
5-6 Cores 
CPU Clock (Max)
1.6 GHz Cortex™-A72, 1.2 GHz Cortex™-A53
Real-time co-processor
2x 264MHz Cortex™-M4F

DSP
HiFi 4 DSP
Integer performance (DMIPS)
Up to 28,650

RAM

2 - 8 GB LPDDR4

eMMC

8 - 128 GB

Multimedia

2D/3D Graphics Acceleration
2x Vivante GC7000VX

Video Encode / Decode
4K H.265/H.264 Decode, 1080p60 H.264 Encode
Camera Interfaces
MIPI-CSI2 

Display

HDMI
V2.0a up to 4Kp60
LVDS
Dual 1920x1080 24-bit
DSI
MIPI-DSI 1920x1080 24-bit
Touch controller
Resistive, Capacitive
Other
eDP1.4/DP1.3 up to 4Kp60

Audio

Headphone driver
Yes

Microphone
Digital, Analog (stereo)

Digital audio serial interface
I2S(SAI)

Line In/Out
Yes

Connectivity

SD / MMC
x1

USB Host / Device
USB 3.0/2.0: 1x OTG, USB 2.0: 1x Host
UART
x5, up to 4 Mbps
I2C
x4
SPI
x4
CAN Bus
2x CAN/CAN-FD (Flexible Data-Rate)

RTC
On carrier

JTAG
x1 (via optional header)

Keypad
x1, 5x4 matrix
PCI-Express
Gen 3.0

Networking

Ethernet

2x 10/100/1000 Mbps

Linux
Yocto, Debian, Boot2Qt
Android
Yes
FreeRTOS
Yes

Mechanical Specifications

Dimensions (W x L)

67.6 x 51.6 mm

Electronic Specifications

Supply voltage

3.3 V

Digital I/O voltage

3.3 V

Environmental Specifications

Extended operating temperature
-25 to 85°C
Industrial operating temperature
-40 to 85°C
Storage temperature
-40 to 85°C
Storage humidity
5% to 95%

VAR-SOM MX8[xx]_[xxxx]C_[xxxx]R_[xx]G_[AC]_[EC]_[TP]_[DSI/DP]_[1588]_[TM]_[CMP]_[X]T

MX8[xx]:
CPU type:

QuadMax 2x Cortex A72 + 4x Cortex A53: QM

QuadPlus 1x Cortex A72 + 4x Cortex A53: QP
[xxxx]C:
CPU clock speed: 

1600MHz Cortex A72 with 1200MHz Cortex A53: 1612C

[xxxx]R:
LP-DDR4: 2048 MB: 2048R, 4096 MB: 4096R, 8192 MB: 8192R
[xx]G:
eMMC:  8 GB : 8G, 16 GB : 16G, 32 GB : 32G, 64 GB : 64G, 128 GB : 128G
[AC]:
Audio Codec
[EC]:
GbE PHY
[TP]:
Resistive touch panel controller
[DSI/DP]
(default) - With fourth LVDS channel (upper channel of LVDS1)

DSI - With DSI upper 2 lanes instead of fourth LVDS channel

DP - With DP/eDP/HDMI auxiliary lane instead of fourth LVDS channel
[1588]
With IEEE1588 sync signals instead of GND/power pins
[TM]
Tamper signals exported via SOM connector pins
[CMP]
With extra compatibility pins #31,33,35 instead of power pins
[x]T:
E: -25 to 85°C, I: -40 to 85°C

Note: All options in [brackets] are optional add-ons that can be either removed or selected from a list of options

Documentation

Reference Manuals

VAR-SOM-MX8 Product Brief

Product Datasheet
(doc v1.15)

Quick Start Guide

Quick Start Guide V2

i.MX 8 Fact Sheet

Family comparison chart

Pinmux table

Carrier Board

V1_Product Datasheet
(doc v1.09)

V2_Product Datasheet
(doc v1.0)

Carrier Board Schematics
(doc v1.30)

Mechanical

DXF Files

OS Support

Certifications

Radiation test report
(doc v1.1)

RoHS I / II / III

REACH

Conflict Minerals

Block Diagram

Our long-standing partnerships

Our close partnerships with leading technology vendors provide our customers with early access to the latest advanced solutions, ensuring your projects begin with a solid and future-ready foundation.

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Evaluation Kit

VAR-SOM-MX8 Evaluation Kits

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Accessories

Why Variscite?

Quality

In-house manufacturing with comprehensive quality control - certified to ISO9001 and ISO13485 medical standards.

Pin2Pin

Our Pin2Pin product families maximize scalability and enable seamless migration to future technologies without redesigning the carrier board.

Longevity

15-year guaranteed hardware availability, backed by continuous software updates and support.

Customizability

Configure your system with precision and flexibility - select only the features you need and reduce costs.

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Updates

Webinar: How to Effortlessly Create Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) with Variscite and Embedded Wizard

Struggling to efficiently develop Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for embedded systems? Join our concise webinar to discover how to seamlessly create Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) using Variscite's System-on-Modules (SoMs) and the powerful GUI solution Embedded Wizard. Manuel Melic, Embedded Wizard's…

09.10.2024

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Software releases

February 2026 Software Releases

Stay current with software updates – Keep your Variscite SoMs performing at their best with our latest software releases.

23.02.2026

Newsroom

new VAR-SMARC-MX8M-PLUS at Embedded World 2026

Variscite Launches New SMARC SoM Lineup at Embedded World 2026

Variscite will present a new product lineup built around the Smart Mobility Architecture (SMARC) form factor standard during Embedded World 2026, running March 10-12 in Nuremberg, Germany. The debut will feature the first public reveal of the VAR-SMARC-MX8M-PLUS, running on NXP’s i.MX 8M Plus processor. Visitors can find Variscite at booth 4A-342 in the Exhibition Centre.

26.02.2026

Blog

Variscite's In-House Manufacturing: Total Control, Trusted Quality, Tailored Customization

Choosing your SoM partner starts with understanding manufacturing models

27.11.2025

VAR-SOM-MX8 NXP iMX8

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VAR-SOM-MX8

NXP iMX8