Raspberry Pi 5 vs Raspberry Pi 4 – newer or cheaper?
Reviewed By: Kevin Pocock
Table of Contents
A new version of the popular single-board computer, the Raspberry Pi 5, is expected to launch at the end of October 2023. This device has been widely used for various projects, from robotics to retro gaming. What are the main features and improvements of the Raspberry Pi 5 compared to the Raspberry Pi 4? This article will explore some of the key aspects and differences between the Raspberry Pi 5 vs Raspberry Pi 4.
Raspberry Pi 5 vs Raspberry Pi 4: Specs
The Raspberry Pi 5 sports the new Broadcom BCM2712 chip, a step up from the Raspberry Pi 4’s BCM2711. This change manifests in the CPU as well: the Pi 5 boasts a quad-core Cortex-A76 processor clocked at 2.4 GHz, a noticeable jump from Pi 4’s quad-core Cortex-A72 operating at 1.8 GHz.
The GPU has seen improvements too, moving from VideoCore VI at 800 MHz in the Pi 4 to VideoCore VII at 1.1 GHz in the Pi 5. Here’s the full side-by-side specifications comparison for ease of viewing the key differences. And below the table we’ll go into some of the specifics about what this means for the Raspberry Pi 5.
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| Tech | Raspberry Pi 5 | Raspberry Pi 4 |
|---|---|---|
| SoC | Broadcom BCM2712 | Broadcom BCM2711 |
| CPU | Quad-core Cortex-A76 @ 2.4 GHz | Quad-core Cortex-A72 @ 1.8 GHz |
| GPU | VideoCore VII @ 1.1 GHz | VideoCore VI @ 800 MHz |
| Display | Dual HDMI 2.0 @ 4k 60Hz | Dual HDMI 2.0 @ 4k (one at 60Hz, one at 30Hz) |
| Memory | LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM4GB, or 8GB | LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM1GB, 2GB, 4GB or 8GB |
| Storage | MicroSD card slot + PCIE lane for NVME M.2 SSD | MicroSD card slot |
| USB ports | 2 x USB 3.0 at 5Gbps2 x USB 2.0 | 2 x USB 3.02 x USB 2.0 |
| Networking | Dua-Band 802.11acBluetooth 5 / BLEGigabit EthernetPoE via POE + Hat (Incompatible with old version) | Dua-Band 802.11acBluetooth 5 / BLEGigabit EthernetPoE via POE + Hat (Incompatible with old version) |
| Power consumption | Up to 15W (requires new power supply) | Up to 7.5W |
| Thermal performance | Higher temperature and fan requirement | Lower temperature and passive cooling option |
| Camera/display ports | Two 4-lane MIPI ports for both cameras and displays (new cables needed) | One DSI port for displays and one CSI port for cameras |
| Audio output | HDMI or USB only | HDMI, USB, or analog audio jack |
| Connectors | 2 x 4-lane MIPI camera/display transceiversPCIe 2.0 x1 InterfaceUART BreakoutRTC Clock Power4-Pin FAN Power | 2 x 4-lane MIPI camera/display transceiversPCIe 2.0 x1 InterfaceUART BreakoutRTC Clock Power4-Pin FAN Power |
The display support in the Pi 5 offers dual HDMI 2.0 outputs, both capable of delivering 4k at 60Hz. In comparison, the Pi 4 also provides dual HDMI 2.0, but only one supports 4k at 60Hz while the other is capped at 30Hz.
Memory configurations vary between the two; while both offer 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4 variants, the Pi 5 has an edge with its LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM, which is faster than the Pi 4’s LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM.
Notably, the Pi 5 also introduces a single-lane PCIe port for the addition of high-performance peripherals – something the Pi 4 does not offer. And there’s a new onboard power button too; which means no need for hacks to do something a simple push will now accomplish.
Raspberry Pi 5 vs Raspberry Pi 4: Performance
For those with a thirst for the utmost performance in their projects, the Raspberry Pi 5 is pretty hard to overlook. The Raspberry Pi 5's CPU and GPU aren't just more powerful, they’re notably more efficient compared to what the Pi 4 brings to the table. The CPU in the Raspberry Pi 5 zooms ahead with an additional 600 MHz speed over the Pi 4, giving it a hefty lead in raw processing capability.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. Graphics-wise, the Raspberry Pi 5 takes the win again. With its VideoCore VII architecture, it’s not only clocked 300 MHz faster than the Raspberry Pi 4’s VideoCore VI, but it also offers a plethora of compatibility and efficiency tweaks. Gamers and visual project enthusiasts will appreciate the Raspberry Pi 5's support for Vulkan 1.2, which gives it an edge over the Pi 4’s Vulkan 1.0 support.
Taking into consideration power usage or power draw puts the Pi 5 in an interesting spot though. While the new processor will be more power efficient, the Pi 5 will easily draw more power. This means that if you’ve Raspberry Pi 4 power supplies available, you’ll want to leave those aside.
Raspberry Pi 5 vs Raspberry Pi 4: Price
The Raspberry Pi 5, with its advanced features and improvements, understandably comes with a heftier price tag, starting at $60 for the 4GB variant. On the other hand, its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 4, offers a more budget-friendly starting price of $35 for its base model.
However, when we compare similar RAM configurations, the gap narrows. A 4GB Raspberry Pi 4, for instance, is priced around $55. This means that, depending on the specific configurations under consideration, the difference in cost between these two models is roughly $25.
Conclusion
The Raspberry Pi 4, while an older model, remains a reliable choice for many projects. Its more budget-friendly nature, coupled with its lower power and thermal demands, makes it an attractive option for those who are cost-conscious.
However, when you set your sights on heavy-duty projects that demand more oomph, the Raspberry Pi 5 shines as the undisputed champion. It’s the board you’d want for performance-critical applications like running a NAS or getting lost in
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