Selecting a 32-bit Microchip Microcontroller

Microchip Technology has a lot of microcontrollers to choose from, so many that the task of selecting the perfect one for your specific needs can be overwhelming.

This page is intended to help narrow your search and provide you with links to other device selection resources. It also has links to device family pages, connecting you with all the information you need to evaluate and design with these MCUs.

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Lowest Cost (under $1.50)

Family Core Speed (MHz) Flash (KB) SRAM (KB) Notes
SAMD1x/2x Arm® Cortex®-M0+ 48 8-256 4-32 Lowest cost
SAMC Arm Cortex-M0+ 48 8-256 4-32 5 V supply
PIC32MM microAptiv™ 25 16-64 4-8
PIC32MX1/2/5 M4K® 50 16-512 4-64 PIC32MX1/2 are low cost

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Low Power and Full-Speed USB

Family Core Speed (MHz) Flash (KB) SRAM (KB) Notes
SAMD1x/2x Arm Cortex-M0+ 48 8-256 4-32 SAMD11/21 have USB
SAML Arm Cortex-M0+/M23 48 16-256 4-32 Lowest power
SAM4 Arm Cortex-M4/M4F 120 128-2048 64-160 SAM4L has USB
SAMG Arm Cortex-M4F 120 256-512 64-176 SAMG55 has USB
SAMD5x Arm Cortex-M4F 120 256-1024 128-256
PIC32MM microAptiv 25 16-64 4-8 PIC32MM-GPM has USB
PIC32MX1/2 (XLP) M4K 72 128-256 32-64 PIC32MX254/274 have USB

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Large Memory and USB (512 KB Flash minimum)

Full-Speed USB
Family Core Speed (MHz) Flash (KB) SRAM (KB) Notes
SAM4 Arm Cortex-M4/M4F 120 128-2048 64-160 Ethernet, CAN 2.0B
SAMG Arm Cortex-M4F 120 256-512 64-176 SAMG55 has USB
SAMD5x Arm Cortex-M4F 120 256-1024 128-256
SAME5x Arm Cortex-M4F 120 256-1024 128-256 Ethernet, CAN FD
PIC32MX3/4 M4K 120 32-512 16-128
PIC32MX5/6/7 M4K 80 64-512 16-128 Ethernet, CAN 2.0B
PIC32MK microAptiv 120 512-1024 128-256 Motor control peripherals and 2 USB
High-Speed USB
Family Core Speed (MHz) Flash (KB) SRAM (KB) Notes
SAMS7/E7/V7 Arm Cortex-M7 300 512-2048 256-384 Ethernet, CAN FD
PIC32MZ EF M-Class 252 512-2048 128-512 Ethernet, CAN 2.0B
PIC32MZ DA microAptiv 200 1024-2048 256-640 Ethernet, CAN 2.0B, DDR2 (32 MB embedded or 128 MB external)

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Ethernet, Full-Speed USB, and CAN (80-120 MHz)

Family Core Speed (MHz) Flash (KB) SRAM (KB) Notes
SAM4 Arm Cortex-M4/M4F 120 128-2048 64-160 SAM4E has all three with CAN 2.0B
SAME5x Arm Cortex-M4F 120 256-1024 128-256 CAN FD
PIC32MX5/6/7 M4K 80 64-512 16-128 PIC32MX7 has all three with CAN 2.0B

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Ethernet, High-Speed USB, and CAN (200 MHz minimum)

Family Core Speed (MHz) Flash (KB) SRAM (KB) Notes
SAMS7/E7/V7 Arm Cortex-M7 300 512-2048 256-384 SAME7/V7 have all three with CAN FD
PIC32MZ EF M-Class 252 512-2048 128-512 CAN 2.0B
PIC32MZ DA microAptiv 200 1024-2048 256-640 Graphics controller, DDR2 (32 MB embedded or 128 MB external) and CAN 2.0B

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Motor Control

Family Core Speed (MHz) Flash (KB) SRAM (KB) Notes
SAMD1x/2x Arm Cortex-M0+ 48 8-256 4-32 SAMD21L for motor control
SAMC Arm Cortex-M0+ 48 32-256 4-32 SAMC21 for motor control
SAME5x Arm Cortex-M4F 120 256-1024 128-256
SAMS7/E7/V7 Arm Cortex-M7 300 512-2048 256-384
PIC32MK microAptiv 120 512-1024 128-256 3 DACs, 4 OpAmps, 5 Comparators, 2 USB, 4 CAN 2.0B

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Graphics

Family Core Speed (MHz) Flash (KB) SRAM (KB) Notes
Low-cost controllerless:
PIC32MX1/2/5 M4K 50 16-512 4-64 Lowest cost
PIC32MX1/2 (XLP) M4K 72 128-256 32-64 Low power
PIC32MX3/4 M4K 120 32-512 16-128
PIC32MX5/6/7 M4K 80 64-512 16-128 Ethernet, USB, CAN 2.0B
PIC32MK microAptiv 120 512-1024 128-256 Motor control peripherals
PIC32MZ EF M-Class 252 512-2048 128-512 Ethernet, USB, CAN 2.0B
Integrated graphics controller and DDR2:
PIC32MZ DA microAptiv 200 1024-2048 256-640 DDR2 (32 MB embedded or 128 MB external)
​

Other MCU's and MPUs with an integrated graphics controller:

▶ Recommended 32-bit MCU to Drive Common Displays

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5 V and CAN

Family Core Speed (MHz) Flash (KB) SRAM (KB) Notes
SAMC Arm Cortex-M0+ 48 32-256 4-32 CAN FD

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Security

Family Core Speed (MHz) Flash (KB) SRAM (KB) Notes
SAML Arm Cortex-M0+/M23 48 16-256 4-32 AES, SHA, 3DES, TRNG, Tamper Detection, TrustZone®, Integrity Check Monitor (SHA), HW root of trust/secure boot
SAM4 Arm Cortex-M4/M4F 120 128-2048 64-160 AES, 3DES, TRNG, Tamper Detection
SAMG Arm Cortex-M4F 120 256-512 64-176 Tamper Detection
SAMD5x Arm Cortex-M4F 120 256-1024 128-256 AES, 3DES, TRNG, Tamper Detection, RSA, ECC, Integrity Check Monitor (SHA)
SAME5x Arm Cortex-M4F 120 256-1024 128-256 AES, 3DES, TRNG, Tamper Detection, RSA, ECC, Integrity Check Monitor (SHA)
SAMS7/E7/V7 Arm Cortex-M7 300 512-2048 256-384 AES, 3DES, TRNG, Tamper Detection, Integrity Check Monitor (SHA), HW root of trust/secure boot
PIC32MZ EF M-Class 252 512-2048 128-512 AES, 3DES, TRNG
PIC32MZ DA microAptiv 200 1024-2048 256-640 AES, 3DES, TRNG
▶ Security Features for 32-bit MCUs
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Microchip's 32-bit Homepage and Selector Guide

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