Raspberry Pi 5: What's New and What to Expect

The eagerly anticipated Raspberry Pi 5 has arrived, and it's not just an incremental upgrade – it's a leap forward in terms of speed, power, and innovative features. In this article, we'll explore the key specifications and improvements that make the Raspberry Pi 5 a game-changer in the world of single-board computing!

Key Features and Specifications

 

  1. Processor Advancements: The beating heart of the Raspberry Pi 5 is its Broadcom BCM2712 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU. This processor, equipped with cryptography extensions, boasts 512KB per-core L2 caches and a 2MB shared L3 cache, ensuring a significant boost in performance compared to its predecessors.

  2. Enhanced RAM Options: The Raspberry Pi 5 offers LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM, with SKUs available in 4GB and 8GB capacities at launch. This upgrade in RAM enhances the device's multitasking capabilities and overall responsiveness.

  3. Connectivity Hub: With dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0/Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Gigabit Ethernet, and PoE+ support, the Raspberry Pi 5 ensures seamless and high-speed connectivity for a variety of applications.

  4. Versatile USB Ports: Featuring 2 × USB 3.0 ports for simultaneous 5Gbps operation and 2 × USB 2.0 ports, the Raspberry Pi 5 provides a versatile interface for connecting external devices and peripherals.

  5. Power Delivery via USB-C: The power supply has been upgraded to 5V/5A DC power via USB-C, with Power Delivery support, ensuring efficient and reliable power delivery to the device.

  6. Advanced GPU Capabilities: The VideoCore VII GPU in the Raspberry Pi 5 supports OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.2, providing enhanced graphics performance and capabilities.

  7. High-Resolution Display: Dual 4Kp60 HDMI display outputs with HDR support and a 4Kp60 HEVC decoder make the Raspberry Pi 5 an ideal choice for high-resolution display applications.

  8. MicroSD Card Slot and Camera Functionality: The microSD card slot, supporting high-speed SDR104 mode, ensures quick and efficient data access. Additionally, the Raspberry Pi 5 is equipped with 2 × 4-lane MIPI camera/display transceivers for advanced camera functionality.

  9. GPIO Pins and Real-Time Clock (RTC): Maintaining compatibility with the Raspberry Pi standard, the device includes 40-pin general-purpose input-output pins. Notably, the Raspberry Pi 5 incorporates a power-management IC with a real-time clock and a charging system for a backup battery. This ensures the preservation of accurate timekeeping even when the main power supply is disconnected.

While the Raspberry Pi 4 already set the bar high, the Raspberry Pi 5 raises it even further. With increased power, improved resource management, and faster, more reliable connections, the Raspberry Pi 5 opens up a world of possibilities for students, hobbyists, and seasoned developers alike. Get your hands on the brand new Raspberry Pi today, and explore the potential of this tiny yet powerful device!