Raspberry pi 4 vs 5: Difference, Price, Case & Offers
The Raspberry Pi series has long been a favorite among hobbyists, educators, and tech enthusiasts for its versatility and affordability. With the launch of the Raspberry Pi 5, many are eager to see how it compares to its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 4. In this blog, we'll explore the key differences, pricing, case compatibility, and offers to help you decide which model suits your needs.
The Raspberry Pi 4 is a versatile and affordable single-board computer, ideal for beginners and hobbyists. It features a Quad-Core Cortex-A72 processor, up to 8GB RAM, dual micro-HDMI ports, and USB 3.0 connectivity, making it perfect for media servers, coding projects, and IoT applications. It's a cost-effective choice for general-purpose computing and educational purposes.
The Raspberry Pi 5 is a powerful upgrade designed for advanced users and developers. It boasts a Quad-Core Cortex-A76 CPU, VideoCore VII GPU, PCIe support, and LPDDR4X RAM for improved performance. With enhanced graphics, faster processing, and robust connectivity, it's ideal for AI/ML workloads, robotics, and high-speed data applications. A must-have for cutting-edge projects!
Raspberry Pi 4 vs Raspberry Pi 5: Key Differences Explained
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Performance: The Raspberry Pi 5 boasts a quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz, offering a 2-3x performance increase over the Pi 4's processor.
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Connectivity: The Pi 5 introduces a PCI Express 2.0 interface, allowing for faster data transfer and the connection of high-bandwidth peripherals. This is a notable upgrade over the Pi 4.
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Additional Features: The Pi 5 includes a physical power button, improved I/O speeds, and supports dual 4K displays at 60Hz, enhancing its usability for desktop applications.
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Feature |
||
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Processor |
Quad-core Cortex-A72 (1.5GHz) |
Quad-core Cortex-A76 (2.4GHz) |
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Performance |
Suitable for general tasks and basic projects |
2-3x faster, ideal for advanced applications |
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RAM Options |
2GB, 4GB, 8GB |
2GB, 4GB, 8GB |
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GPU |
VideoCore VI |
VideoCore VII, supports Vulkan API |
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Dual 4K Displays |
Supported at 30Hz |
Supported at 60Hz |
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Connectivity |
USB 2.0 & 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet |
Adds PCIe 2.0 interface, improved USB 3.0 |
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Power Button |
Not included |
Included |
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Power Efficiency |
Moderate |
Improved |
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Case Compatibility |
A wide range of cases available |
New cases are required due to port redesign |
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Pricing |
Links to Purchase-
Raspberry Pi 4 Model-B with 4 GB RAM
Raspberry Pi 4 vs 5: Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing between the Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 depends largely on your intended use. If you're looking for improved performance, the Pi 5 offers significant enhancements over the Pi 4. However, if budget constraints are a concern, the Pi 4 remains a cost-effective and capable option.
How to Choose Between Raspberry Pi 4 and 5, Based on Your Needs
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For Basic Projects: If your projects involve simple tasks like basic coding, media streaming, or educational purposes, the Raspberry Pi 4 should suffice.
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For Advanced Applications: If you plan to run more demanding applications, such as AI projects, or complex simulations, or require faster data processing, the enhanced performance of the Raspberry Pi 5 would be beneficial.
Notable changes in power consumption and efficiency
The Raspberry Pi 5 achieves a better performance-to-power ratio due to its newer architecture, enabling users to accomplish more without significantly increasing power usage. This improvement is particularly beneficial for battery-operated or renewable energy-powered projects.
How do the GPIO pins and software support differ between the two models?
Both models feature a 40-pin GPIO header, retaining backward compatibility. The Raspberry Pi 5 introduces enhancements such as increased drive strength and better input/output capabilities, benefiting robotics enthusiasts and IoT developers. Regarding software, both models support a wide array of operating systems, but the Pi 5 benefits from ongoing updates and optimisations designed to take advantage of its enhanced hardware.
Raspberry Pi 4 vs 5: Compatibility and Case Comparison
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Cover Compatibility
Raspberry Pi 5 has a slightly different form factor, meaning covers designed for Raspberry Pi 4 may not fit. New covers specifically designed for the Pi 5 are required to accommodate its PCIe connector and other layout changes. -
Backward Compatibility
Raspberry Pi 5 supports most software and peripherals designed for Raspberry Pi 4, making the transition smooth for existing users. -
Thermal Management
Raspberry Pi 5 generates more heat due to its upgraded hardware. Investing in a compatible cover with proper cooling solutions, such as active fans or heatsinks, is recommended.
Conclusion
Both the Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 offer excellent value and capabilities. Your decision should be guided by your project needs and budget. For basic tasks, the Pi 4 remains a solid choice, while the Pi 5's enhanced features make it suitable for more demanding applications.
Links to Purchase Raspberry Pi-
Raspberry Pi 4 Model-B with 4 GB RAM
Links to Purchase Raspberry Pi’s Accessories-
Raspberry Pi 4 Accessories Kit
40 Pin GPIO Ribbon Cable for Raspberry Pi
Premium Pink & White Official Raspberry Pi 4 Case
Transparent ABS Case for Raspberry PI 4 with a cooling Fan Slot
Raspberry Pi 4 Black Aluminum Heat Sink Case With Dual Fans
Raspberry Pi Official 5V 3A C-Type USB Power Supply
SanDisk Ultra microSDHC Class 10 Memory Card
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the key differences between Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5?
Ans: The Raspberry Pi 5 introduces several significant upgrades over the Raspberry Pi 4:
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Processor: The Pi 5 features a quad-core Cortex-A76 CPU clocked at 2.4 GHz, compared to the Pi 4's Cortex-A72 at 1.8 GHz, resulting in approximately twice the performance.
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Graphics: Upgraded to the VideoCore VII GPU at 800 MHz, the Pi 5 offers enhanced graphics performance over the Pi 4's VideoCore VI at 500 MHz.
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Memory: The Pi 5 utilises faster LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM, improving memory bandwidth and efficiency compared to the Pi 4's LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM.
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Connectivity: The Pi 5 includes a PCI Express 2.0 interface, allowing for high-speed peripherals like NVMe SSDs, which the Pi 4 lacks.
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Ports: The Pi 5 offers two 4-lane MIPI connectors, enabling dual camera or display setups, whereas the Pi 4 has separate connectors for camera and display
Q2. How much power does a Raspberry Pi 4 use compared to a Raspberry Pi 5?
Ans: Power consumption varies between the two models:
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Raspberry Pi 4: Typically consumes around 3 to 4 watts when idle, with an increase of approximately 0.5 watts for each active core under load.
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Raspberry Pi 5: Idle power consumption is reported around 2.7 to 3.5 watts.
Under load, it can draw up to 9.8 watts.
Q3. Is the Raspberry Pi 5 compatible with accessories designed for the Raspberry Pi 4?
Ans: While the Raspberry Pi 5 maintains the same form factor as the Pi 4, there are some changes to port placements and connectors. For instance, the audio jack has been removed, and the camera/display connectors have been updated to 4-lane MIPI interfaces. Therefore, some accessories may require adapters or may not be compatible.
Q4. Does the Raspberry Pi 5 require active cooling?
Ans: Due to its enhanced performance, the Raspberry Pi 5 generates more heat than its predecessor. It is recommended to use active cooling solutions, such as fans or heatsinks, to maintain optimal operating temperatures and prevent thermal throttling.
Q5. What are the storage options for the Raspberry Pi 5?
Ans: The Raspberry Pi 5 continues to use a microSD card slot for its primary storage. However, with the addition of the PCI Express 2.0 interface, users can now connect high-speed storage solutions like NVMe or M.2 SSDs for improved performance.
Q6. Are there any changes in networking capabilities between the Raspberry Pi 4 and 5?
Ans: The networking hardware remains largely the same between the two models, with both offering Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity. There are no significant changes in networking capabilities in the Raspberry Pi 5.
Q8. What power supply is recommended for the Raspberry Pi 5?
Ans: The Raspberry Pi 5 has higher power requirements than the Pi 4. It is recommended to use a 5.1V 5A power supply to ensure stable operation, especially when connecting multiple peripherals. While it can operate with a lower-spec power supply, USB ports may be current-limited, affecting performance.
