Unlocking the Raspberry Pi 5: Early Access and Exciting Features

In the realm of single-board computers, anticipation is building as the Raspberry Pi Foundation prepares to unveil the Raspberry Pi 5. Expected to hit the market by the end of October 2023, this latest iteration promises to revolutionize the world of makers and tech enthusiasts. With significant performance upgrades and a host of innovative features, the Raspberry Pi 5 is poised to be a worthy successor to the beloved Raspberry Pi 4.

Reserve Your Raspberry Pi 5 In-Store

One of the most exciting avenues for securing a Raspberry Pi 5 before its official release is by visiting the Raspberry Pi Store in Cambridge. From now until late October, visitors have the exclusive opportunity to reserve either the 4GB or 8GB variant of this cutting-edge board. The reservation process is straightforward: simply head to the store, access the reservation kiosk, and provide your details. Your Raspberry Pi 5 will then be ready for collection at a date and time slot of your choice starting from late October. To ensure fairness, reservations are limited to one board per customer, allowing you to choose between the 4GB and 8GB versions. Additionally, the store will have a limited supply of unreserved Raspberry Pi 5 units available on the launch day, ensuring that everyone has a chance to get their hands on this highly anticipated device.

Priority Boarding for Magazine Subscribers

Do you yearn to be among the first to experience the Raspberry Pi 5? Subscribing to The MagPi or HackSpace magazines grants you access to Priority Boarding, ensuring that you receive your Raspberry Pi 5 within the first week of its release. Raspberry Pi has reserved a substantial number of units specifically for magazine subscribers, guaranteeing availability for all subscribers. If you are an existing print subscriber to either of these magazines, watch your inbox for a unique code that will enable you to pre-order your Raspberry Pi 5. Customers in the US and Canada will be directed to The Pi Shop, while those in the UK, Europe, and the rest of the world will find their purchasing options at The Pi Hut. New subscribers will also receive a Priority Boarding code upon signing up, making it an ideal time to subscribe and secure your Raspberry Pi 5 ahead of the crowd.

Unveiling the Raspberry Pi 5's Impressive Features

The Raspberry Pi 5 doesn't just promise early access; it also introduces a range of impressive features that make it a standout choice for various projects. This single-board computer packs a punch with its new Broadcom BCM2712 system-on-chip (SOC) featuring four ARM A76 CPUs running at a speedy 2.4 GHz, a significant upgrade from the Pi 4's ARM A72 CPUs at 1.8 GHz. The result is a two to three-fold performance boost that opens up exciting possibilities for projects requiring increased computational power. The enhancements don't stop there. The Raspberry Pi 5 boasts double the DRAM clock speed, a more efficient video core, and an improved WiFi controller, enabling higher throughput. Even the SD card interface operates twice as fast, reducing boot times significantly. Additionally, the Raspberry Pi 5 supports dual MIPI camera/display lines, allowing for stereo imaging or simultaneous camera and external display usage. Remarkably, it can drive two 4k HDMI displays at 60 Hz, expanding its capabilities for multimedia applications. One notable improvement is the addition of PCIe support, which opens up opportunities for desktop users. While you'll need an adapter, this feature provides greater flexibility, making the Raspberry Pi 5 a versatile choice for various applications.

More Power and Cooling Considerations

With great power comes increased power consumption. The Raspberry Pi 5 draws a peak of 12 W, compared to the Pi 4's 8 W, under heavy loads. To accommodate this, the Raspberry Pi 5 features an all-new power subsystem with the DA9091 power-management IC, capable of supplying 20 A to the BCM2712 SoC. The introduction of USB-C Power Delivery simplifies power supply compatibility, addressing previous pain points. However, the increased power output leads to higher temperatures. Users may find it necessary to employ a heatsink or an active cooling solution with a fan to manage heat effectively. Raspberry Pi offers an official active cooling package for this purpose, ensuring optimal performance while keeping temperatures in check. The Raspberry Pi 5's redesigned case incorporates a fan with a removable cover and vents on the underside, addressing cooling concerns effectively. Notably, it features a power button, eliminating the need for external hacks to control power.

PCIe Support for Expanded Possibilities

One of the most exciting features of the Raspberry Pi 5 for desktop users is its official support for PCIe lanes. Unlike the Raspberry Pi 4, which required hacks to access PCIe, the Pi 5 offers seamless support. It includes a single PCIe 2.0 lane, accessible via a flat-flex connector. While adapters for various peripherals are expected to hit the market soon, advanced users can explore pushing the Pi 5 to PCIe 3.0 speeds for even greater performance gains. The possibilities are vast, ranging from high-speed storage solutions to customized PCIe devices, opening up new horizons for Raspberry Pi enthusiasts and developers.

Under the Hood: The RP1 Custom Controller

The Raspberry Pi 5's impressive features extend beyond its SOC. It introduces the custom RP1 interface/southbridge chip, developed in-house by Raspberry Pi. This chip enhances the board's capabilities by handling various functionalities, including Ethernet, USB, MIPI, analog video out, and more. It bridges the gap between the Broadcom SOC and other peripherals, contributing to the board's overall efficiency and performance. The RP1 chip utilizes PCIe as the backbone to establish a robust 16 Gb /s link between the board's core and its peripherals. This innovative chiplet architecture represents forward-thinking design, aligning perfectly with Raspberry Pi's commitment to pushing the boundaries of single-board computing.

Odds and Ends

The Raspberry Pi 5 introduces several noteworthy changes and enhancements. While the composite video-out port has been replaced, the board retains soldering points for alternative connections. The removal of the audio output jack encourages the use of HDMI audio or external hi-fi solutions. Notable connections include a PoE header, ARM debug/UART pins, and a JST battery connector for real-time clock support. Mounting holes have been incorporated for easy heatsink attachment, and the MIPI camera/display connectors now follow a thinner form factor, similar to the Pi Zero. Overall, these adjustments enhance the Raspberry Pi 5's versatility and usability across a wide range of applications. 

The Raspberry Pi 5 represents a significant leap forward in the world of single-board computers. Its impressive performance improvements, innovative features, and enhanced support for PCIe make it a compelling choice for makers, developers, and technology enthusiasts. Secure your Raspberry Pi 5 early and get ready to explore the limitless possibilities of this remarkable device.