• CmRat v2.8: DTV Electronics’ Versatile Mini Compute Hub for Tinkerers and Self-hosters

    09/22/2025 at 17:48 • 0 comments

    At DTV Electronics, we believe you shouldn’t have to compromise between power, flexibility, and efficiency. That’s why we built the CmRat v2.8, a compact carrier board that’s meant to be more than just a single-purpose device. It’s for makers, developers, and those who want real hardware freedom.

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    👉 Read the CmRat v2.8 Full Review on the DTV Electronics ₿log https://dtvelectronics.com/cmrat-v2-8-review/

    What is the CmRat?

    The CmRat is a modular compute platform: a carrier board that supports swappable compute modules, native NVMe storage, microSD, PoE (Power over Ethernet), and more. Think of it like a server, media center, or node, shrunk down and made more customizable. With CmRat v2.8, you pick which compute module, storage, and how you want to enclose it — barebones if you want to build your own, or with our CNC aluminum case if you want something ready to go.

    Key specs:

    FeatureSpecification
    Compute ModuleSupports Raspberry Pi CM5, CM4, Radxa CM3, CM5 Lite, Milk-V Mars, etc.
    MemoryRanges from 4 GB to 16 GB depending on the module selected
    StorageNVMe 2280 SSD + microSD card; modules with onboard eMMC storage supported
    ConnectivityGigabit Ethernet (with PoE), USB-C, HDMI output, etc.
    Power Consumption~10-15 W under load, lower when idle
    Case OptionsBare carrier board or CNC machined aluminum enclosure
    Size & WeightApprox 12 × 5.5 × 3 cm; light without bulky power supplies

    Setup & Experience

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    👉 Buy the CmRat with BTC on the DTV Electronics Store (Worldwide) 🌍 https://dtvelectronics.com/store/

    👉 Read the CmRat v2.8 Full Review on the DTV Electronics ₿log https://dtvelectronics.com/cmrat-v2-8-review/

    Out of the Box

    Buy CmRat v2.8 as a barebones kit or “complete” with compute module and storage. If you go barebones, you’ll need to source the NVMe SSD, the microSD card (if needed), and the compute module yourself. If you order the full setup, everything comes ready to assemble including the aluminum case, power adapters, and required accessories.

    Booting Up

    After securing the NVMe drive in its slot and inserting or enabling the compute module, the system can boot from:

    • The module’s internal storage (eMMC)

    • The NVMe drive

    • Or a microSD, depending on module capabilities

    We recommend using eMMC or NVMe for better speed and reliability. Then you flash your OS of choice — maybe UmbrelOS for a self-hosting setup (Bitcoin node, privacy tools, etc.), or RasPi OS, DietPi, or whatever suits your project.

    There’s a “boot mode” switch to make flashing easier via USB-C. Once you flash, set it back to “OS boot” mode, connect Ethernet (or PoE), power up, and follow the setup wizard via browser.

    Real-World Performance

    In our tests with the Raspberry Pi CM5 (8 GB module) plus a good quality NVMe SSD:

    • Idle temperatures held around 30-40°C; under load (e.g. syncing a blockchain or compiling) climbed toward 45-50°C, but thermal throttling was not observed

    • Power draw stayed low: about 10-15 W under moderate load

    • The system feels snappy: apps launch quick, and multitasking works well

    Noise is minimal — with solid aluminum casing and optional fan / heatsink add-ons, CmRat stays quiet even running 24/7.

    What’s Good, What’s Tricky

    Some of the strengths:

    • Modularity: you choose the compute module, storage, and enclosure. Upgrades are possible without replacing the whole...

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