Sentinel Core is an experiment-ready I/O board built for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5. It brings the CM5 into the Mini-ITX PC ecosystem and unlocks easy PCIe expansion, such as GPUs for running local LLMs or video transcoding, or using other expansion cards to build a router, NAS, or other specialized home server.
Where most compute module boards aim to be a better Raspberry Pi, Sentinel Core aims to be a better computer. It packs the CM5 in a standard Mini-ITX motherboard with all the usual connectors and a full sized PCIe slot ready for any expansion card you can think of. Whether you want to run local LLM-powered voice assistants, Jellyfin or Plex video transcoding, or something yet to be dreamed up, Sentinel Core gives you the freedom to take the Raspberry Pi CM5 to the next level.
This capstone post closed the loop: Crowd Supply prelaunch page up for signups—"Mini-ITX Raspi... sign up!" Promises refined drivers/kits/ecosystem docs, from garage boot to crowdfunded reality. Next: thermostats/relays under Sanctuary Systems.
This smarts-meets-storage post blew minds: Immich app on Sentinel Core + PCIe SATA for offline face/object detection—screenshot of UI searching "bicycle," grid of Dutch scenes (white bikes by canals, brick shadows, cargo bike woman). "Mind blowing," running on CM5 ARM cores, local photo magic.
This swap post ditched GPU for storage: PCIe SATA card pops in for instant 4-bay NAS, ZFS pools backing Home Assistant—more maintainable than router hacks, ~15W idle with SSDs. Swaps LLM dreams for "motion sensors and dashboards," practical evolution.
This cross-vendor win post expanded compat: desk sprawl with green PCB dwarfed by beige Arc A380 inserted, HDMI snaking to monitor, power bricks piled, fans idling at 75W for Vulkan tasks. "(mini-itx raspi cm5)"—broad PCIe unlocks cheap used GPUs for home labs/NAS/AI, beyond AMD.
This benchmark showdown post exposed trade-offs: two charts—N100 mini-PC sips 10W idle/50W load at 15t/s; Sentinel Core + GPU 20W base/100W spikes for 40t/s bursts, ARM efficiency for bursty AI. "Why did I make Sentinel Core? Because I could. Is it cool? Heck yea!"—DIY GPIO/HATs edge x86 SATA/USB, despite driver lags. Third image: 3D render of black mini-ITX with green accents, dominant PCIe, swirling Sanctuary logo, ports labeled.
This mod reveal post bridged DIY to pro: compact silver ITX case closed with "professional" angles, rear PCIe bracket exposing GPU exhaust/ports, front vents for flow, subtle "Sentinel Core" sticker. Inside CM5 + RX 7600 for 20t/s LLM inference—"Looks so professional with the IO plate." Inspires community builds like routers/NAS enclosures, desk-ready SFF magic.
This shipment ritual post showed escape velocity: four photos—stacked taped brown boxes on desk; internals with foam-protected boards, coiled antennas, one mid-screwdriver assembly; pyramid of sealed parcels for global dispatch. v2 PCBs with CM5 compat/docs for GPU/LLM setups, capturing KiCad-to-real arc. Tests logistics, feedback for v3 (IO shielding), early backers thrilled—grind-to-glory in months.
This unboxing thread chronicled v2 from Aisler sponsor: three photos—fresh green board labeled "British Heritage, Dutch Vision, German Manufacture," HAT pins/M.2/swirling logo silkscreen; close-up heatsink/fan headers (doubled for GPU cooling); full assembly with CM5 slotted, USB-C powered, PCIe riser ready. Highlights: permaproto hack area, copper-etched logo, stable boot. "Twice as many fan headers... seem to be alive!"—fixes trace routing for signal integrity, production prep after v1 learnings.
This cheeky post unveiled packaging polish: sleek black box with embossed white Sanctuary Systems labyrinth logo on wooden table (baby wipes nod to dad life), matte finish and clean typography for premium unboxing—inside foam cradles board, antenna, docs. Shifts from garage hacks to shippable product, joking "one reason to buy" but hooking on HA/LLM/GPIO ecosystem. Pre-sales ramp, funding revisions amid prototype frenzy.
This post geeked out on voice AI integration: wooden desk clutter with headphones, Blue Yeti mic, scattered cables, but Sentinel Core shines—green PCB with black heatsink, lit green Ethernet, USB mic plugged, monitor hinting HA dashboard. Demos "Okay Nabu, how much does an elephant eat?"—GPU spins for offline Hermes 8B via Home Assistant Voice PE, responds via Docker whisper.cpp/Piper. Wake-word tuning woes ("HEY NABU!"), but cloud-free local LLM breakthrough— "alien in my house" vibe for couch commands, blending hardware with open-source glue.