Raspberry Pi 4 vs. Raspberry Pi 5: A Nice Little Comparison
The Raspberry Pi series is well-known for providing affordable, versatile, and powerful single-board computers. Here, I am going to discuss the changes and advantages of the RPi 5 over the RPi 4.
Introduction
The Raspberry Pi 4 which was released in 2019, is a popular choice for hobbyists, educators, and professionals (Mostly hobbyists, I’ve never honestly seen an educator using Raspberry Pi… Sadly.). Now with the Raspberry Pi 5, we have a more powerful successor!
Key Specifications
| Specification | Raspberry Pi 4 | Raspberry Pi 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1.5 GHz quad-core Cortex-A72 | 2.4 GHz quad-core Cortex-A76 |
| RAM Options | 2GB, 4GB, 8GB | 4GB, 8GB, 16GB |
| GPU | VideoCore VI | VideoCore VII |
| USB Ports | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 |
| Networking | Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5 | 2.5G Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 |
| Power Supply | USB-C (5V, 3A) | USB-C (5V, 5A) |
Processor Performance
The Raspberry Pi 5 comes with a more powerful 2.4 GHz quad-core Cortex-A76 CPU compared to the Raspberry Pi 4’s 1.5 GHz quad-core Cortex-A72. This improvement significantly boosts processing power, making the Raspberry Pi 5 faster and more efficient for demanding tasks like media processing or machine learning applications (Yay PyTorch!)
RAM and Storage Options
The Raspberry Pi 5 has new RAM configurations up to 16GB, compared to the maximum 8GB available on the Pi 4. So the Raspberry Pi 5 is better for more memory-intensive tasks such as running virtual machines or working with large datasets. You can also use the Pi 5 for applications like Kasm, if you need some nice virtualization.
Connectivity and Networking
Networking is another area where the Raspberry Pi 5 has a clear advantage. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5G Ethernet ensures faster and more reliable connectivity, making it the better choice for networking projects or IoT applications.
GPU and Media Capabilities
The Raspberry Pi 4 comes with a VideoCore VI GPU, the Pi 5 has a VideoCore VII GPU. This upgrade has better 4K video playback and gaming performance, making the Pi 5 more suited for media centers or graphics-intensive projects. Although I don’t think gaming should be the main task of any Raspberry Pi.
Power Supply and Efficiency
With a higher-performing processor and additional features, the Raspberry Pi 5 requires a more powerful USB-C (5V, 5A) power supply, whereas the Raspberry Pi 4 operates on a USB-C (5V, 3A) power supply. If you’re upgrading from the Pi 4, you’ll need to make sure your power supply can supply enough power, or else you will under-volt your Raspberry Pi! (Please make sure…)
Conclusion
The Raspberry Pi 5 is a pretty big step up from the Raspberry Pi 4, with significant improvements in processing power, memory options, and connectivity. For more complex projects, intense networking, VPNs, and Docker stuffs, the Raspberry Pi 5 is a much much better choice. However, for more basic projects or budget users, the Raspberry Pi 4 is still an honestly great computer.