
Raspberry Pi 5
- Processor:
- Broadcom BCM2712
- Memory:
- 16GB LPDDR4X
- Storage:
- microSD
- Price:
- $120
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Manufacturer: Raspberry Pi Foundation Last updated: September 15, 2026
Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/16GB LPDDR4X/Maximum-RAM Pi 5) Review
Anyone comparing raspberry pi 5 16gb price and specs is usually trying to figure out if the top RAM tier is worth it over the 8GB model.
It's the same BCM2712 board as every other Pi 5, just with 16GB of LPDDR4X, which mainly matters for running multiple VMs, heavier Docker stacks, or local LLM inference where RAM headroom is the bottleneck rather than CPU.
Who Actually Needs 16GB
For desktop use, media serving, or most robotics work, 8GB is plenty and cheaper. The 16GB board earns its price premium specifically for multi-container Docker/Kubernetes labs, running several VMs at once, or local language model experimentation where the model itself eats several gigabytes.
Same Silicon, More Headroom
CPU, GPU, and I/O are identical to our Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) and Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB) listings, so buyers should only pay the premium for RAM they'll actually use, not for extra performance that isn't there.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Raspberry Pi Foundation |
|---|
Processor
| CPU Cores | 4 cores |
|---|
Networking
| PoE Support | Yes |
|---|
Power
| Power Input | 5V/5A via USB-C (PD) |
|---|
| CPU Architecture | ARM |
|---|---|
| Memory | 16 GB |
| Storage Type | microSD |
| Has AI Accelerator / NPU | No |
| Wireless | WiFi 5 |
| GPIO Header | Yes |
| Price | 120 USD |
| Use Case | General Purpose |
| SoC | Broadcom BCM2712 |
| Memory Type | LPDDR4X |
| Memory Options | 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB |
| Storage | microSD, PCIe 2.0 NVMe via M.2 HAT+ |
| PCIe/M.2 Slot | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 1-lane PCIe 2.0 FPC connector |
| GPU | VideoCore VII, supports OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 |
| Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet with PoE+ support (via PoE+ HAT) |
| Video Output | 2x micro-HDMI, up to 4Kp60 dual display |
| OS Support | Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, various Linux distros |
| Board Size | 85 x 56mm |
| RTC/Battery Header | Yes |
| Camera/Display Connectors | 2x 4-lane MIPI (camera/display, switchable) |
| USB Ports | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Best for
- Local AI/LLM experimentation and heavier containerized workloads that need RAM headroom.
- Multi-VM labs and self-hosted server stacks running many services at once.
Not for
- Typical desktop, media center, or single-service use, where the 4GB or 8GB Pi 5 is a better value.
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/16GB LPDDR4X/Maximum-RAM Pi 5)?
The Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/16GB LPDDR4X/Maximum-RAM Pi 5) is a single board computer from Raspberry Pi Foundation. Key specs: SoC Broadcom BCM2712, CPU Architecture ARM, CPU Cores 4, Memory 16, Memory Type LPDDR4X.
Will the Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/16GB LPDDR4X/Maximum-RAM Pi 5) work with my current setup?
The Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/16GB LPDDR4X/Maximum-RAM Pi 5) lists SoC is Broadcom BCM2712. Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/16GB LPDDR4X/Maximum-RAM Pi 5) best suited to?
It suits local ai/llm experimentation and heavier containerized workloads that need ram headroom., multi-vm labs and self-hosted server stacks running many services at once..
What are the drawbacks of the Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/16GB LPDDR4X/Maximum-RAM Pi 5)?
It is a poor fit for typical desktop, media center, or single-service use, where the 4gb or 8gb pi 5 is a better value..
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