Introduction:

The introduction of Raspberry Pi 5 has reinvigorated the Raspberry Pi ecosystem, prompting a common dilemma: “Should one wait for the Raspberry Pi 5 or proceed with purchasing the Raspberry Pi 4?”

This article seeks to provide clarity by examining the specifications of both models, drawing comparisons and distinctions. Notably, Raspberry Pi 5 showcases significant improvements, particularly in CPU and GPU speeds, boasting a 2-3x increase in CPU performance and a substantial upgrade in GPU capabilities compared to its predecessor.

A noteworthy addition to the Raspberry Pi 5 is the in-house-developed I/O controller chip, RP1. This marks a groundbreaking moment as it signifies the first instance of Raspberry Pi silicon on a flagship product. The RP1, serving as a southbridge chip, enhances interfacing capabilities, unlocking a myriad of possibilities for peripherals and broadening the device’s overall functionality.

Before delving into the nuances, let’s first examine the fundamental similarities and differences between Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 in a concise manner.

Raspberry Pi 4: A Pinnacle in Its Time

Tech Specs:

• Processor: Broadcom BCM2711, Quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz
• RAM: 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM
• Connectivity: Dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac wireless LAN, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet
• Ports: 2 × USB 3.0 ports, 2 × USB 2.0 ports, 2 × Micro HDMI ports, 3.5mm audio jack, 40-pin GPIO header
• Power: 5V/3A USB-C power supply
• Storage: microSD card slot

Key Features:

1. Performance Boost: The Cortex-A72 architecture in the BCM2711 processor delivered a substantial performance upgrade over its predecessor, enabling smoother multitasking and more demanding applications.
2. Dual HDMI Output: Raspberry Pi 4 introduced dual HDMI ports, supporting two 4K displays simultaneously, making it an attractive choice for media centers and digital signage projects.
3. USB 3.0 Connectivity: With two USB 3.0 ports, data transfer speeds were significantly improved, enhancing the overall user experience.

Raspberry Pi 5: A Leap into the Future

Tech Specs:

• 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU
• VideoCore VII GPU, supporting OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2
• Dual 4Kp60 HDMI® display output
• 4Kp60 HEVC decoder
• Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi®
• Bluetooth 5.0 / Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• High-speed microSD card interface with SDR104 mode support
• 2 × USB 3.0 ports, supporting simultaneous 5Gbps operation
• 2 × USB 2.0 ports
• Gigabit Ethernet, with PoE+ support (requires separate PoE+ HAT, coming soon)
• 2 × 4-lane MIPI camera/display transceivers
• PCIe 2.0 x1 interface for fast peripherals
• Raspberry Pi standard 40-pin GPIO header
• Real-time clock
• Power button

Shared Attributes

In terms of shared attributes, Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 maintain several similarities:

1. Form Factor:
   • Both models share a similar size, retaining the compact form factor characteristic of Raspberry Pi boards.
2. 64-Bit CPU Capabilities:
   • Both Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 are equipped with 64-bit CPU capabilities, ensuring compatibility with modern computing standards.
3. Micro SD Card Boot:
   • A continuation from previous models, both devices boot from Micro SD cards, a tradition that began with the use of standard SD cards in the earlier Raspberry Pi 1.
4. Wireless Connectivity:
   • Both models feature dual-band wireless connectivity, supporting 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Additionally, they are equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), providing comprehensive wireless communication capabilities.
5. USB Ports:
   • Both Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 maintain a consistent USB configuration with two USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports, catering to a variety of peripheral connections.
6. Networking:
   • Gigabit Ethernet is a common feature on both models, ensuring high-speed wired connectivity. Additionally, they support Power over Ethernet (PoE) with a PoE+ HAT, providing a convenient power option for specific use cases.

Differences

Distinguishing Raspberry Pi 4 from Raspberry Pi 5 involves several notable differences:

1. Processor:
   • Raspberry Pi 4 is powered by the Broadcom BCM2711 processor.
   • Raspberry Pi 5 features the upgraded BCM2712 processor, with a faster CPU equipped with ARM-Cortex A76 cores running at 2.4GHz.
2. GPU:
   • Raspberry Pi 4 incorporates the VideoCore VI GPU, operating at 600MHz.
   • Raspberry Pi 5 steps up with the VideoCore VII GPU, boasting a significantly higher clock speed of 1GHz. This results in a substantial GPU performance increase, with Raspberry Pi 5 exceeding 10 GFLOPS, compared to Raspberry Pi 4’s 4.4 GFLOPS.
3. RAM Type and Speed:
   • Raspberry Pi 4 utilizes LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM, offering configurations of 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB.
   • Raspberry Pi 5 employs LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM, providing configurations of 4GB and 8GB at launch, with a 2GB variant planned, and potential for a 1GB variant in the future.

These differences in processor architecture, GPU capabilities, and RAM specifications highlight the advancements introduced in Raspberry Pi 5, showcasing a notable leap in computational power compared to Raspberry Pi 4.

Audio connectivity

A notable distinction between the Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 lies in the audio connectivity:

1. Raspberry Pi 4:
   • Raspberry Pi 4 is equipped with a 4-pole stereo audio and composite video jack, facilitating both audio and video connections. This allows users to directly connect audio peripherals to the device.
2. Raspberry Pi 5:
   • In contrast, the Raspberry Pi 5 lacks a dedicated audio jack. Users seeking audio connectivity will need to utilize alternative methods such as USB or Bluetooth for audio input and output.

Power Button

The power-related aspects of Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 reveal some notable differences:

1. Power Connector:
   • Both models utilize a USB-C connector for power, ensuring a standardized and widely adopted power interface.
2. Power Specifications:
   • Raspberry Pi 4 requires 5V/3A DC power.
   • Raspberry Pi 5 demands a higher power input of 5V/5A DC and supports Power Delivery (PD). This increase in power aligns with the enhanced performance of the Pi 5, optimizing power usage for superior overall performance.
3. Power Efficiency:
   • The architecture of Raspberry Pi 5 allows for more efficient power utilization, contributing to its significantly improved performance compared to Raspberry Pi 4. This optimization ensures that the increased power input is effectively harnessed for enhanced computational capabilities.
4. Power Button:
   • A noteworthy addition to Raspberry Pi 5 is the inclusion of a power button. This feature provides users with a convenient way to control the device’s power state, offering greater flexibility and ease of use.

The ports and peripherals of Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 exhibit several improvements and changes:

1. Micro SD Card Slot:
   • Both models feature a micro SD card slot.
   • Raspberry Pi 5 supports high-speed SDR104 mode for faster data access to the SD card, providing a substantial improvement in SD card performance compared to Raspberry Pi 4.
2. USB Ports:
   • Both models incorporate two USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports.
   • Raspberry Pi 5’s USB 3.0 ports support simultaneous 5Gbps operation, doubling the aggregate USB bandwidth compared to Raspberry Pi 4.
3. RP1 Impact:
   • The introduction of the RP1 I/O controller chip significantly contributes to the increased performance of USB ports and SD card slots on Raspberry Pi 5, enhancing data transfer capabilities.
4. Camera Serial Interface (CSI) and Display Serial Interface (DSI):
   • Raspberry Pi 5 features a new setup for CSI and DSI, offering two 4-lane MIPI interfaces each.
   • This new configuration allows support for any combination of up to two cameras or displays, providing greater flexibility for various applications, including stereoscopic setups.
5. Connector Changes:
   • The new MIPI connectors on Raspberry Pi 5 are 22-way, deviating from the 15-way configuration on other current camera and display products.
   • Raspberry Pi is addressing this change by releasing mini-to-standard adapter cables for compatibility with the new MIPI connectors.

The final noteworthy addition to the Raspberry Pi 5 ecosystem is the availability of a Panasonic lithium manganese rechargeable coin cell. This coin cell comes pre-fitted with a two-pin JST plug and includes an adhesive mounting pad. Priced at $5, this component serves a crucial role in powering the Raspberry Pi 5 real-time clock (RTC) when the primary power supply is disconnected.

This rechargeable coin cell is a practical solution for maintaining accurate timekeeping and ensuring the functionality of the RTC, even when the main power source is temporarily disconnected. The inclusion of this specialized power solution demonstrates Raspberry Pi’s commitment to providing comprehensive and user-friendly features, catering to various project requirements and scenarios.