Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi 5

Expert rating9 / 10

Processor:: Broadcom BCM2712, Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A76 @ 2.4GHz
Memory:: 8GB LPDDR4X
Storage:: microSD Card Slot, PCIe 2.0 x1 for NVMe (via Adapter)
Connectivity:: Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
Video Output:: Dual Micro-HDMI (4Kp60)

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Manufacturer: Raspberry Pi Last updated: 2026-10-10

Raspberry Pi 5 Review

The Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) pairs the Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core Cortex-A76 at 2.4GHz with 8GB of LPDDR4X memory, VideoCore VII graphics supporting OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.2, a microSD slot plus PCIe 2.0 x1 for NVMe via adapter, Gigabit Ethernet with Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, dual micro-HDMI outputs at 4Kp60 and the standard 40-pin GPIO header.

It is independently named the best overall single-board computer for most users in 2026, and the reason is the ecosystem rather than the raw specifications. Massive community support, comprehensive documentation and wide software compatibility keep it the default recommendation for the overwhelming majority of hobbyist, educational and general-computing projects.

Processor and Performance

The Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core Cortex-A76 running at 2.4GHz represents a genuine generational leap over the Raspberry Pi 4, delivering meaningfully smoother multitasking and enough headroom for moderately demanding applications, media center use, and light development work on the same 85 x 56mm board as every other Pi 5.

Memory and Storage

8GB of LPDDR4X memory is specifically called out as ideal for media and general computing use cases, and PCIe 2.0 x1 support via an official or third-party adapter gives genuine NVMe SSD boot capability, a real speed and reliability upgrade over microSD-only storage.

Connectivity and I/O

Dual micro-HDMI outputs support 4Kp60 video, Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 5 cover typical networking needs, the full 40-pin GPIO header maintains backward compatibility with the enormous existing ecosystem of Raspberry Pi HATs and add-on boards, and an onboard power button plus RTC battery connector make headless deployments and PoE+ HAT power delivery straightforward.

Software and Ecosystem Support

The Raspberry Pi ecosystem's advantage cannot be overstated when something goes wrong: the community support, documentation quality, and sheer volume of tutorials and pre-built software images specifically make this the safest bet for most beginners, independently confirmed as a defining strength over every alternative board.

Comparison to Alternatives

Against the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super, covered elsewhere on this site, that board specifically targets AI and machine learning workloads the Pi 5 cannot approach, at a real price and complexity premium. Against the Orange Pi 5 Plus, also covered elsewhere on this site, that board delivers stronger raw performance and more RAM for a similar price, but trades away the Pi 5's unmatched documentation and community support. Against its own sibling, the Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB) in this catalog, the two boards are electrically identical apart from RAM, so the 8GB model only earns its higher price when running several Docker containers, a local LLM, or heavy compilation. Compared to the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (8GB), the Pi 5 8GB adds a native PCIe lane and roughly double the CPU performance for a modest price premium.

Our verdict

Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.

Expert rating9 / 10

The safest all-round single-board computer, where unmatched documentation and community support matter more than raw specifications.

Best for

Beginners, educators, and general hobbyist projects, the safest, most supported entry point into the single-board computer space.
Media center and general computing builds, the 8GB memory configuration and dual 4K video output suit this use case.
NVMe-backed storage projects using a PCIe 2.0 HAT for SSD boot

Not for

AI or machine learning workloads, the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super, covered elsewhere on this site, is purpose-built for that need instead.
Cost-sensitive builds where the 4GB Pi 5 already covers the workload
Local LLM inference or large compile jobs needing more than 8GB

Specifications

What these specs mean

Identity

Brand	Raspberry Pi Foundation
Model Number	Raspberry Pi 5 \| 8GB Variant

Processor

SoC Model	Broadcom BCM2712, Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A76 @ 2.4GHz

Graphics and AI

GPU Model	VideoCore VII, supporting OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2

Storage

Onboard Storage	2 GB
PCIe Interface	PCIe 2.0 x1 FFC connector (NVMe via HAT)

Networking

PoE Support	PoE+ HAT support via dedicated header

Display

Video Outputs	4 outputs

Expansion

GPIO Pins	40 pins
RTC Support	Yes, onboard RTC with battery connector (battery sold separately)

Power

Power Input	5V/5A USB-C (PD)

CPU Architecture	ARM
Memory	8GB LPDDR4X
Has AI Accelerator / NPU	No
Price	80 USD
Use Case	General Purpose

Measured results

HPL (Linpack) test

HPL (Linpack) throughput	35.169 Gflops	HPL (Linpack), whole board · Raspberry Pi 5 8 GB (BCM2712) · Source
HPL efficiency	2.77 Gflops/W	HPL (Linpack), whole board · Raspberry Pi 5 8 GB (BCM2712) · Source
Wall power during HPL	12.7 W	HPL (Linpack), whole board · Raspberry Pi 5 8 GB (BCM2712) · Source

One run by the author. Power is average wall power for the whole board during the run (Kill-A-Watt or smart-plug meter), so it includes the power supply and attached devices. Results depend on RAM, cooling and software settings.

Retrieved 23 Sept 2026

Jeff Geerling, top500-benchmark (github.com/geerlingguy/top500-benchmark). Copyright 2022 Jeff Geerling. Used under the MIT License; full permission notice: github.com/geerlingguy/top500-benchmark/blob/master/LICENSE

FAQs

What are the key specifications of the Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/8GB LPDDR4X/Best Overall General-Purpose SBC)?

Key specs for the Raspberry Pi 5: CPU Architecture ARM, GPU VideoCore VII, supporting OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2, Storage microSD card slot, PCIe 2.0 x1 for NVMe (via adapter), USB Ports 2x USB 3.0 Type-A, 2x USB 2.0 Type-A, Video Output Dual micro-HDMI (4Kp60), Processor Broadcom BCM2712, Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A76 @ 2.4GHz.

Will the Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/8GB LPDDR4X/Best Overall General-Purpose SBC) work with my current setup?

The Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/8GB LPDDR4X/Best Overall General-Purpose SBC) lists Processor is Broadcom BCM2712, Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A76 @ 2.4GHz. 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 (8GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/8GB LPDDR4X/Best Overall General-Purpose SBC) best suited to?

Best suited to: Beginners, educators, and general hobbyist projects, the safest, most supported entry point into the single-board computer space; Media center and general computing builds, the 8GB memory configuration and dual 4K video output suit this use case; NVMe-backed storage projects using a PCIe 2.0 HAT for SSD boot.

What are the drawbacks of the Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) (Single-Board Computer/Broadcom BCM2712/Quad-Core Cortex-A76 2.4GHz/8GB LPDDR4X/Best Overall General-Purpose SBC)?

Not the best fit for: AI or machine learning workloads, the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super, covered elsewhere on this site, is purpose-built for that need instead; Cost-sensitive builds where the 4GB Pi 5 already covers the workload; Local LLM inference or large compile jobs needing more than 8GB.