The Raspberry Pi Foundation has launched its latest single-board computer, the Raspberry Pi 5, promising significant performance gains over its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 4, after nearly four years of anticipation. The new SBC is equipped with a more powerful processor and features an in-house chip developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Let’s delve into the details of the Raspberry Pi 5 and its impressive specifications.
Raspberry Pi 5: Power and Performance at $60 The Raspberry Pi 5 stands as the most potent single-board computer created by the Foundation to date. It boasts a Broadcom BCM2712 CPU with four Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4GHz. To put it into perspective, the previous-generation Raspberry Pi 4 featured a maximum frequency of 1.8GHz with four Cortex-A72 cores. The increased clock speed and upgraded Cortex-A76 cores promise a substantial leap in performance.
One of the standout features of the Raspberry Pi 5 is its VideoCore VII GPU, which now supports OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.2 graphics APIs. The GPU’s enhanced capabilities enable it to drive dual 4K monitors at 60FPS with HDR support, achieved through the inclusion of two micro HDMI ports. Notably, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has introduced an in-house silicon known as the RP1 chip to enhance I/O performance when connecting external peripherals.
In-House RP1 Chip for Enhanced Performance
The Raspberry Pi 5 also brings an unprecedented upgrade in memory, offering 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM as the base configuration (in contrast to the 2GB of LPDDR4 RAM found in the Raspberry Pi 4) and expanding options up to 8GB. Furthermore, it continues to provide dual-band Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth 5.0, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). For the first time in Raspberry Pi history, a single-lane PCIe port (2.0) has been incorporated, allowing users to connect NVMe and PCIe devices, a notable addition for expanded functionality.
Enhanced Connectivity with PCIe Support
Another noteworthy addition is the inclusion of an onboard power button, making it more convenient to control the device’s power. In terms of connectivity, the Raspberry Pi 5 offers 2x USB 3.0 ports and 2x USB 2.0 ports. Additionally, it utilizes a USB-C connector for power delivery, ensuring modern compatibility.
Remarkably, despite these substantial upgrades and the inclusion of 4GB of RAM in the base model, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has managed to maintain an affordable price point, starting at just $60. This cost-effectiveness aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to accessibility and affordability. The Raspberry Pi 5 is set to be available for purchase starting from October 2023.
