For tech enthusiasts and makers alike, the unveiling of the Raspberry Pi 5 is akin to Christmas morning. With each new iteration of this beloved single-board computer, the Raspberry Pi Foundation continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of DIY electronics. The Raspberry Pi 5, poised to take its place as the crown jewel of the Pi family, promises an impressive array of features and capabilities that will surely spark excitement in the hearts of its dedicated community of users.
Though still not available to purchase until later this month (October 2023) Raspberry Pi have sent one to Software Cornwall to showcase at the Cornwall Tech Jam. This will be the Pi5’s first outing outside of Cambridge, UK since it’s launch. So we are pretty excited!
The Cornwall Tech Jam will be at the Pavilion in Egloshayle on Saturday 14th October. We will obviously have the usual Raspberry Pi3 up and running as we normally do. These are for students to come and have a go at learning to code. But we shall also have the Pi5 up and running for anyone to come and see as well.
At the heart of the Raspberry Pi 5 lies the impressive Broadcom BCM2712, boasting a formidable 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU. This chip, equipped with cryptography extensions, is designed to handle a wide range of applications with ease, from basic computing tasks to more demanding projects requiring computational muscle. Each of its cores is accompanied by a 512KB L2 cache, and the entire ensemble benefits from a generous 2MB shared L3 cache, ensuring smooth and efficient multitasking.
One of the most striking upgrades in the Raspberry Pi 5 is its VideoCore VII GPU. This powerhouse supports OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.2, making it a dream come true for graphics-intensive applications and gaming enthusiasts. With dual 4Kp60 HDMI display outputs and HDR support, the Raspberry Pi 5 transforms into a formidable media center, offering immersive visuals and fluid playback experiences. Additionally, the 4Kp60 HEVC decoder ensures that high-resolution content can be enjoyed effortlessly.
The Raspberry Pi 5 comes in two memory configurations, with 4GB and 8GB LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM options. This expanded memory capacity opens the door to more ambitious projects and multitasking capabilities, allowing users to run resource-hungry applications with ease.
Connectivity options are top-notch, as expected from the Raspberry Pi line. Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0/Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) provide seamless wireless communication, while the inclusion of two USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports ensures efficient peripheral connections. A microSD card slot with support for high-speed SDR104 mode ensures speedy storage access.
Networking is a breeze with Gigabit Ethernet, which also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE+) when paired with the appropriate HAT (Hardware Attached on Top). The Raspberry Pi 5 also introduces a PCIe 2.0 x1 interface, enabling high-speed peripherals to be added through a compatible adapter.
Powering the Raspberry Pi 5 is a 5V/5A DC supply via USB-C, with Power Delivery support. The inclusion of a real-time clock (RTC), powered by an external battery, ensures accurate timekeeping for various applications. A power button adds a touch of convenience, making it easier to control your Pi’s operation.
As for compatibility and accessories, the Raspberry Pi 5 ushers in a new era. Older versions of Raspberry Pi OS will not work with this powerhouse; you’ll need the latest version, “Bookworm,” set to launch in mid-October. The Raspberry Pi 4 power supply might not suffice for the Raspberry Pi 5’s higher demands, so it’s recommended to opt for a high-quality 5V 5A USB-C power supply, such as the new Raspberry Pi 27W USB-C Power Supply. Also, note that the Raspberry Pi 5 won’t fit in the Raspberry Pi 4 case; a specially designed Raspberry Pi 5 Case is available to help you make the most of this cutting-edge device.
In terms of cooling, the Raspberry Pi 5’s increased performance levels do benefit from active cooling. The Raspberry Pi Case for Raspberry Pi 5 comes equipped with an integrated fan to keep temperatures in check, ensuring that the device runs optimally even during resource-intensive tasks.
In conclusion, the Raspberry Pi 5 represents a significant leap forward in the world of single-board computing. With its impressive specifications, enhanced capabilities, and commitment to ensuring compatibility and ease of use, the Raspberry Pi 5 is sure to inspire a new wave of creative projects and innovative applications. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or a newcomer to the Raspberry Pi ecosystem, this latest addition is bound to be a game-changer, opening up exciting possibilities for the world of DIY electronics. So, get ready to embrace the future of computing with the Raspberry Pi 5!
