Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB)

The Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) has become the central brain of my home setup, and I say this as someone who works with tech daily and builds systems not just for fun but for productivity and long-term use. I purchased this particular unit in December 2024, and since the first day, it has run 24/7 with absolute consistency. For what it offers at its price point, it truly feels like a life-changing device, especially for those who are eager to tinker, automate, learn to code, or even run serious applications from a tiny board. One of the most transformative upgrades I’ve made to my Raspberry Pi 5 is integrating a dual-NVMe expansion setup using two 4TB NVMe SSDs. This is made possible via a PCIe HAT+ adapter board that includes a switch chip to handle dual drives over the Pi 5’s single PCIe 2.0 x1 lane. Despite the bandwidth limitation (theoretical max ~500MB/s), the performance is surprisingly solid for most real-world use cases. I regularly hit sequential read speeds of around 400–430MB/s and writes of 350–390MB/s, which is more than enough for backups, local file hosting, and even video streaming directly from the Pi. I’ve configured one of the NVMe drives as the primary boot device using Raspberry Pi OS, while the second is dedicated to storage. I use it for scheduled nightly backups from both my Android phone (via Syncthing) and my wife's iPhone (using the Photosync app in SFTP mode), and the reliability has been outstanding. The dual-NVMe board I use is passively cooled with heatsinks, and both drives stay under 55°C during extended file transfers. In my case, the Pi 5 serves multiple roles simultaneously. It acts as a Pi-hole DNS sinkhole, filters and logs internet traffic for every device in the house, handles over 250 persistent Pi-Seer MQTT device connections, runs Node-RED automations, and manages two IP cameras as a local NVR. This isn’t a stretch—it’s a real test for a system that’s passively cooled and silently humming away inside a small server-grade enclosure. I paired it with the Armor Lite V5 aluminium heatsink and PWM fan (which I also reviewed), and that combination keeps temperatures below 55°C under full load. The performance delta from the Pi 4 is noticeable and significant; where the 4 might get bogged down or throttle, the Pi 5 simply pushes through. I use the official 27W USB-C power supply, which is essential for keeping things stable when peripherals are attached. This includes an NVMe SSD via the M.2 PCIe HAT+, allowing for ultra-fast read/write speeds. This alone transforms the Pi into something that behaves more like a mini desktop or server than a single-board computer. Boot times are snappy, databases load instantly, and there's no delay in system response even when under concurrent tasks. Where the Pi 5 really shines is in development and education. I’ve been writing Python scripts, working with Docker containers, and even experimenting with AI tools—all from this board. A huge part of this success is thanks to ChatGPT and similar code assistants. In the past, learning how to set up a Pi as a local LAMP server or writing Flask applications with dynamic APIs would require deep technical knowledge and time-consuming trial and error. Now, I can prompt an AI to help generate boilerplate code, troubleshoot errors, or refactor inefficient blocks. I’ve used VS Code remotely through SSH, integrated Git workflows, and set up CI pipelines with relative ease. Anyone willing to follow a couple of guides can now build incredible things in a weekend. I recently used the Pi 5 to prototype a home energy monitoring dashboard. Using InfluxDB and Grafana, I track power consumption from smart plugs around the home and visualise it beautifully. MQTT messages come in from Zigbee2MQTT and ESPHome devices, get processed by Node-RED, and are stored and visualised with zero noticeable lag. The Pi 5 handles all this with remarkable grace. CPU usage typically sits at around 35% with peaks around 70% during compilation tasks. This board is also ideal for light AI experimentation. With the right USB accelerators or the new AI HATs, you can run object detection models locally, perform facial recognition, or build smart assistants without ever sending data to the cloud. Privacy-respecting edge computing has never been more accessible. I used the Pi 5 to run a basic LLaMA 2 language model stubbed with a local API, running inference through ONNX Runtime. The board doesn’t break a sweat and remains quiet while doing it. The Raspberry Pi OS has matured significantly, and with the community providing excellent support for Ubuntu Server, DietPi, and other Linux distributions, there’s a flavour for everyone. GPIO compatibility is excellent, with plenty of updated libraries replacing RPi.GPIO for the new architecture. The new RP1 I/O controller truly unlocks the performance potential for USB 3.0 and PCIe lanes. File transfers over USB 3.0 with my SSD hit consistent 350MB/s—something unimaginable a few years ago on a Pi. This is s a capable platform that can sit at the heart of home labs, IoT systems, learning environments, or even small businesses. Whether you're an educator setting up classrooms, a parent wanting to introduce your child to computing, or a hobbyist trying to build something custom and meaningful—the Pi 5 enables it all. Power usage on the second Pi 5, configured as our NAS and photo backup server, is incredibly efficient—averaging around 3.8W at idle and peaking at about 7.2W during simultaneous file transfers and photo uploads from two devices. I measured this using a USB-C inline power meter over a full 24-hour cycle, including overnight auto-backups and daytime access from multiple devices. Even when handling encrypted file syncs, indexed thumbnails, and NVMe activity, it remains cool and stable—truly impressive for a system replacing my QNAP 872XT, which used to idle at over 50W. In my own experience, this board has dramatically changed how I think about computing. It’s made me more resourceful, more curious, and ironically, more minimalistic. I no longer reach for the heavy-duty workstation for tasks that the Pi 5 can handle quietly in the corner. To wrap it up: The Raspberry Pi 5 is a gateway. It’s the computer I wish I had as a kid, and the one that’s going to power so many more ideas in the future. I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone even remotely interested in computing. If you’ve got an idea and a bit of time, this tiny board can make it real.

Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) – A Significant Upgrade with a Few Adjustments The Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) is a major leap forward in the Raspberry Pi lineup, delivering impressive performance improvements and new features that make it a compelling choice for enthusiasts, developers, and tinkerers alike. However, it does come with some changes that require adjustments for those familiar with older models. Performance: The speed increase over older models is the standout feature of the Raspberry Pi 5. Equipped with a quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 CPU running at 2.4GHz, this board is significantly faster than the Pi 4. Applications load quicker, multi-tasking is smoother, and it handles more demanding workloads with ease. Whether you're running a media server, building a smart home project, or experimenting with AI, the Raspberry Pi 5 delivers an experience that feels more like a compact PC than a hobbyist board. GPIO Pin Handling: One notable change with the Raspberry Pi 5 is in how the GPIO pins are handled. The traditional RPi.GPIO library is no longer compatible with this model, which could come as a surprise to users upgrading from older Pis. Instead, you’ll need to use alternative libraries like lgpio or GPIO Zero, which are designed to work with the new hardware. While these libraries are easy enough to install and use, the change does require a learning curve, especially for those with existing projects that relied on the old library. Hardware Improvements: The 8GB RAM version shines for memory-intensive tasks, making it ideal for applications like emulation, coding, and even light virtualization. Additional hardware upgrades, such as PCIe support, dual 4K micro-HDMI output, and USB 3.0 ports, further enhance its versatility. It’s clear the Raspberry Pi Foundation has designed this board with more demanding use cases in mind. Thermals and Power Management: The Raspberry Pi 5 runs hotter than its predecessors, so proper cooling is essential, especially for sustained workloads. The redesigned power delivery system is more efficient but also requires a dedicated power adapter (USB-C PD), which is something to keep in mind if you’re upgrading from older models with a standard power supply. Pros: Huge performance boost over previous Raspberry Pi models 8GB RAM is excellent for memory-intensive tasks Dual 4K display support and improved connectivity options Great for advanced projects like AI, media servers, and virtual machines Cons: GPIO handling has changed, requiring alternative libraries Runs hotter, so additional cooling is a must Requires a compatible USB-C PD power adapter Conclusion: The Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) is a powerful upgrade that brings desktop-level performance to the Raspberry Pi ecosystem. While the speed and hardware improvements are fantastic, the changes to GPIO handling and increased power/thermal demands mean it’s not a simple drop-in replacement for older models. If you’re willing to adapt to the new requirements, the Pi 5 is a game-changer that opens up exciting possibilities for more ambitious projects. Highly recommended for those ready to embrace the future of the Raspberry Pi!

Dispositivo conosciutissimo che permette vari usi, arrivato in condizioni perfette e perfettamente funzionante

Una pasada, mucho mejor que la 4B de 8GB, la tengo las 24 horas del día haciendo funciones de vpn, bloqueador anuncios, proyectos, bots de telegram... miles de cosas y va sobrada!

It is good for nas and for coding and projects but does not work with tv

Petit mais costaud, je l'ai utilisé pour Home Assistant, Pi-Hole, HomeBridge, et plus recament pour construire un UPS. Parfait pour bricoler sans exploser le budget.

If you’re shopping for a Raspberry Pi 5, I’d strongly consider stepping up to the 16GB model—especially if your plan includes an AI HAT, heavier multitasking, or squeezing the most out of emulation/gaming. While the 8GB version is both functional and durable. The 8GB version is absolutely excellent for the majority of use cases (general Linux projects, home server tasks, Kali, etc.), but once you start stacking bigger workloads, the extra RAM gives you more breathing room and a noticeably smoother experience. On pricing: yes, the 16GB usually carries a small premium, but in my experience that difference is justified—particularly when it’s paired with fast shipping and you want to get building immediately. A few practical notes that will save you headaches: Power supply matters—big time. The Pi 5 really wants a proper 5V/5A supply. Underpower it and you’re asking for brownouts, instability, and random weird behavior. If you’re running from a battery, 5V/3A can work, but you’ll need to be smart about it: use a powered USB hub for peripherals so you’re not dragging the Pi down when you plug in devices. For the first boot, using a TV/monitor setup can make life easier—especially until you’ve updated to the latest firmware. Don’t skip active cooling. The Pi 5 can run hot under load, and throttling will undo a lot of the performance you’re paying for. Use a case. There are tons of options—just get something, even if it’s a simple silicone base. Protection + airflow is the goal. Finally, if you’re buying the Pi 5 specifically for penetration testing, plan on adding a compatible external Wi-Fi adapter. The built-in Broadcom wireless is fine for normal connectivity, but it’s not the right tool for packet injection/monitor-mode workflows—an external adapter will make your life much easier. One of the biggest perks of the Raspberry Pi 5 is how many operating systems you can run, depending on what you want to build: Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) – the official, best-supported daily driver Ubuntu (Desktop/Server) – great for productivity, dev work, and servers Kali Linux – popular for security testing and training labs Retro gaming OS options – RetroPie, Recalbox, Batocera (awesome for emulation setups) Media center builds – LibreELEC/OSMC for a dedicated TV/streaming box Lightweight Linux distros – faster, lean builds for specific projects and low overhead Android-based builds (community-supported) – for an Android-style experience on Pi hardware No matter your goal—desktop, server, security lab, arcade console, or media box—the Pi 5 has an OS path that fits. Overall: 8GB is a fantastic value and handles most projects effortlessly, but if you’re aiming for AI, more demanding workloads, or a “buy once, cry once” setup, the 16GB model is the smarter long-term pick.