The Raspberry Pi Foundation has announced the release of the Raspberry Pi 5 on 28th September 2023, the latest model in their line of single-board computers. In this post, we’ll take an in-depth first look at the key new features of the Raspberry Pi 5 based on the product brief released by Raspberry Pi.
The Raspberry Pi 5 is expected to be available for purchase starting in late October 2023. Pre-orders are already open at some retailers like Adafruit, SparkFun, Micro Center, and more. The 4GB variant is priced at $60 while the 8GB version costs $80 before taxes.
Throughout this post, we’ll explore all the new capabilities and upgrades introduced in the Raspberry Pi 5 over prior generations. We’ll compare the Pi 5 to the popular Raspberry Pi 4 Model B and see exactly what’s changed and improved. Let’s dive in!
Raspberry Pi 5 Specifications
Here are the key hardware specifications of the Raspberry Pi 5:
- Processor: Broadcom BCM2712 – 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU, 512KB L2 cache per core, 2MB shared L3 cache
- GPU: VideoCore VII GPU, supporting OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2
- Memory: 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4X SDRAM
- Display: Dual micro HDMI 2.0 ports supporting up to 4Kp60 resolution
- Video Decode: H.265 (4Kp60), H.264 (1080p60 decode, 1080p30 encode)
- Camera: Dual 4-lane MIPI CSI camera interfaces
- Wireless: 802.11ac dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0
- Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet with PoE capability
- USB: 2x USB 3.0 ports, 2x USB 2.0 ports
- Storage: MicroSD card slot with support for SDR104 high-speed mode
- Audio: HDMI, 3.5mm stereo jack
- GPIO: 40-pin header compatible with HAT add-ons
- Other I/O: PCIe 2.0, 2x MIPI DSI display interfaces, real-time clock, power button
With its upgraded 64-bit Arm processing system, high-speed memory and connectivity options, alongside wide software support, the Raspberry Pi 5 delivers a true PC-like experience in a compact single-board computer format.
Let’s See What is New in Raspberry Pi 5?
The long-time waiting Raspberry Pi 5 introduces a ton of new features and upgrades compared to previous models like the popular Raspberry Pi 4. Let’s look at the key improvements and new updates Raspberry Pi 5 is shipped with:
Overview of Processor Upgrade
- Upgraded to a 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU
- Offers 2-3x increase in CPU performance over the Pi 4
- Also has an upgraded VideoCore VII GPU for improved graphics
The Pi 5’s new processor is a huge upgrade over the Cortex-A72 based quad-core SoCs used on the Pi 3 and Pi 4 models. The 64-bit Cortex-A76 architecture is much more modern with improved instructions per clock (IPC) and power efficiency. Coupled with the clock speed boost to 2.4GHz, it provides exceptional CPU muscle for desktop workloads.
Display and Multimedia Capabilities
- Supports dual 4Kp60 display output over HDMI
- Includes a 4Kp60 HEVC decoder for high-resolution video
- New Raspberry Pi image signal processor for advanced camera functionality
With support for dual 4K 60Hz displays via its HDMI 2.0 ports, the Pi 5 can drive high resolution monitors and TVs for immersive gaming and media playback. The 4Kp60 HEVC video decoder enables smooth 4K streaming from services like YouTube and Netflix. This significantly improves the multimedia capabilities.
Connectivity and I/O
- First Pi with the RP1 southbridge chip designed by Raspberry Pi
- Doubles the USB bandwidth for faster speeds to external drives
- New PCIe interface to support high-bandwidth peripherals
The new RP1 chip provides modern connectivity essentials like USB 3.0 ports and PCI Express. USB 3.0 support allows fast transfer speeds to external SSDs and hard drives. And the PCIe interface enables connecting high-speed accessories and networking cards for the first time on a Raspberry Pi.
Other New Features
- 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet
- microSD card slot with high-speed SDR104 mode
- Real-time clock and power button
- General purpose 40-pin header and camera/display interfaces
The Pi 5 rounds out the package with Gigabit Ethernet, fast WiFi, Bluetooth 5 LE, improved micro SD card support, and handy new features like a real-time clock and power button. Overall, it provides a massive upgrade over previous Pis!
Let’s See What is New in Raspberry Pi 5
The Raspberry Pi 5 brings a ton of upgrades and new capabilities compared to previous Pi boards like the Raspberry Pi 4. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the key improvements:
Massive Processor Upgrade
- New 2.4GHz 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 CPU
- Offers up to 3x faster CPU performance versus the Pi 4
- Upgrade to VideoCore VII GPU boosts graphics speed
With its cutting-edge Arm processor, the Pi 5 takes a huge leap in processing power for improved general performance and snappier response across applications.
Dual 4K Display and Multimedia Muscle
- Supports two 4Kp60 displays via dual HDMI 2.0 ports
- 4Kp60 HEVC hardware video decoder for smooth high-res playback
- More advanced camera functionality with updated imaging pipeline
From immersive multimedia to console-quality gaming, the Pi 5 has the graphical prowess to handle it all. Dual display output unlocks new possibilities.
Faster Connectivity and Storage
- USB 3.0 support for speedy transfers to external drives
- Gigabit Ethernet with PoE enables powered connections
- PCIe interface allows adding NVMe SSDs and other fast accessories
With fast IO options like USB 3.0 and PCIe, the Pi 5 supercharges external connectivity, networking, and storage performance.
Smarter Features for Better User Experience
- 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 5 LE, improved SD card support
- Handy additions like RTC and power button
- Compatible 40-pin header for HAT add-on boards
The Pi 5 polishes off the package with smart quality-of-life enhancements while retaining broad compatibility.
Refer this table for precise compassion:
| Feature | Raspberry Pi 4 | Raspberry Pi 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Cortex-A72 quad-core, 1.5GHz | Cortex-A76 quad-core, 2.4GHz |
| ~1.8 SPECint2006 single core | ~4.5 SPECint2006 single core | |
| Overall CPU performance | 2-3x faster than Pi 4 | |
| GPU | VideoCore VI, 500MHz max | VideoCore VII, 800MHz max |
| 50% higher max clock, better graphics | ||
| Memory | Up to 8GB LPDDR4 | Up to 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Display | 2 x micro HDMI 2.0 | 2 x micro HDMI 2.0 with HDR support |
| Up to 2x 4K60 or 2x 1080p60 display | Up to 2x 4K60 or 4x 1080p60 displays | |
| Video Playback | H.264 4Kp30 decode | HEVC 4Kp60 decode |
| 4K video support limited | Smooth 4K playback | |
| Camera | 2 x dual-lane MIPI CSI | 2 x quad-lane MIPI CSI |
| Limited 4K camera support | Connect higher resolution cameras | |
| USB | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 |
| USB 3.0 max 5Gbps | USB 3.0 max 10Gbps | |
| 2x faster external storage speeds | ||
| Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet (Requires a separate PoE HAT) | Gigabit Ethernet with PoE |
| Wireless | 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0 | 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Low Energy support added | ||
| SD Card | Max 100MB/s | Max 250MB/s, SDR104 mode |
| PCI Express | No PCIe support | PCIe 2.0 lane added |
| Support for NVMe drives, 10GbE, FPGAs etc | ||
| Other I/O | 40-pin GPIO header | 40-pin GPIO, 2x MIPI DSI, RTC, power button |
In summary, the Pi 5 brings upgrades across the board from processor and memory to connectivity, display outputs, multimedia decode, and advanced camera support. It is a huge generational leap over the 3-years older Raspberry Pi 4 design.
Bottom Line
The Raspberry Pi 5 brings some major upgrades over previous models of the popular Pi family of single board computers. With 2-3x faster performance, upgraded multimedia capabilities, new connectivity options like USB 3.0 and PCIe, dual 4K display outputs, advanced camera support, and more, it’s an exciting new Pi!
It packs the power of a desktop-class processor from Arm into a compact board under $100, enabling a wide range of new applications from consumers to industrial users. The Pi line continues to evolve and improve with each new generation.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has managed to deliver its most powerful and versatile model yet while retaining the accessibility, hackability, and price point that made the Pi popular worldwide. The Raspberry Pi 5 looks very promising and we can’t wait to get our hands on it!
So that wraps up our first look at the new features and upgrades introduced in the Raspberry Pi 5. We hope you enjoyed this overview of the exciting new capabilities of the latest model in the Raspberry Pi family. Let us know if you have any other questions about the Pi 5 and what you plan to build with it!