Differences Between Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5: Which One Should You Choose?

The Raspberry Pi 5 brings significant improvements over the Raspberry Pi 4. It is designed for heavier applications, a faster processor. In addition, new expansion options such as a PCIe connection. This makes the Pi 5 perform better with multitasking, gaming and servers. But does this mean that the Pi 4 is completely redundant?

The Raspberry Pi 4 remains a popular choice for budget-friendly projects. Widely applicable for IoT applications and energy-efficient solutions. In this article, we compare both models on performance, speed, connectivity and more. We also discuss when you should choose the Pi 4 and when the Pi 5 is the better option.

History of Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5

On June 24, 2019, Raspberry Pi introduced the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B . The single-board computer that represented a major leap forward in performance and functionality. The Raspberry Pi series was already known as a cheap and accessible computer. The arrival of the Pi 4 also made the device interesting for heavier applications. Think of things like desktop use, AI projects and industrial automation.

The Raspberry Pi 4 was developed to meet growing demand. More people wanted a faster, more powerful and more versatile version. And that without sacrificing the compact form factor and low price. Thanks to improvements in processing power, memory, connectivity and multimedia functionality, it quickly became one of the most widely used single-board computers in the world.

In October 2023, Raspberry Pi introduced the Raspberry Pi 5. This board has significant upgrades in performance, memory and expansion options. This latest model quickly became popular due to the significant improvements. The Pi 5 is mainly for heavier applications such as gaming, media streaming and servers . The Pi 5 has a more powerful processor , a dedicated PCIe connection and improved graphics performance. This makes the device suitable for even more advanced applications. In addition, the Raspberry Pi introduced a new cooling system to handle the high performance. They also come with improved software optimizations to further increase efficiency. With this new version, the Raspberry Pi offers even more possibilities. The Pi 5 is suitable for innovative projects and industrial applications. While the Pi 4 remains widely used thanks to its balance between price and performance.

Performance

The Raspberry Pi 5 is equipped with a Broadcom BCM2712 processor, a quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 clocked at 2.4 GHz . This is a significant upgrade over the Raspberry Pi 4 , which had a Broadcom BCM2711 , a quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 clocked at 1.5 GHz .

The higher clock speed and more efficient Cortex-A76 architecture allows the Pi 5 to deliver up to three times better performance . You will notice this especially when multitasking, complex calculations, and demanding applications such as:

• Graphics applications (e.g. 3D rendering and video editing)
• Machine learning and AI applications
• Emulation of older computers and game consoles
• Software development and virtualization

In addition, the improved cooling solution ensures that the Pi 5 can run at high performance for longer, which could previously be a problem with the Pi 4.

Memory and speed

Both models support up to 8GB of RAM. However, the Raspberry Pi 5 uses faster LPDDR4X-4267 RAM. While the Pi 4 uses LPDDR4-3200 RAM. This difference ensures that the Pi 5 has faster memory access , which is immediately noticeable in:

• Big data processing
• Servers and databases
• Advanced media streaming
• Gaming and emulation

In addition, the 16GB variant of the Raspberry Pi 5 is available. This opens up more possibilities for heavier applications such as containerized computing and AI training .

The combination of the faster processor and more efficient memory means that the Raspberry Pi 5 has lower load times and is more responsive during intensive tasks, which is particularly noticeable in applications with large data sets or multiple background processes.

3. Connectivity and Ports

The Raspberry Pi 5 offers significant improvements in connectivity and expansion options:

• Faster, higher bandwidth USB 3.0 ports . This allows external storage and peripherals to work more efficiently.
• PCIe 2.0 support. Allows for the connection of an NVMe SSD or other expansions such as network cards and accelerators.
• Improved GPIO connections that enable higher processing speed for external sensors and modules.

The Raspberry Pi 4 does have USB 3.0 ports , but lacks PCIe support. This limits its expansion options. Especially for users who need faster storage solutions or network expansions .

With the addition of PCIe, the Raspberry Pi 5 opens doors for use in:

• Compact servers with fast NVMe storage
• Industrial use with specialized PCIe expansions
• Advanced network solutions with fast network cards

This makes the Raspberry Pi 5 a better choice for users who need expandability.

4. Image quality and multimedia

One of the improvements in the Raspberry Pi 5 is support for dual 4K displays at 60Hz . While the Raspberry Pi 4 also supports dual 4K output. It was limited to 30Hz , which results in less fluid images.

Thanks to the Videocore VII GPU, the Raspberry Pi 5 offers:

• Better performance for video streaming and media centers
• Higher frame rates in gaming and emulation
• Faster rendering for graphical editing

These improvements make the Raspberry Pi 5 attractive to users who want to use the SBC for video editing, graphic design and streaming, while the Raspberry Pi 4 is still a good choice for basic multimedia applications.

5. Energy efficiency

With the Raspberry Pi 5's increased performance also comes higher power consumption . This model requires a 5V/5A USB-C power supply , compared to the Raspberry Pi 4's 5V/3A power supply. This means the Pi 5 will consume more power, especially when running intensive tasks like NVMe storage or 4K display .

For applications where low energy consumption is crucial, such as:

• Battery-powered IoT devices
• Energy-efficient servers
• Remote monitoring and sensor networks

the Raspberry Pi 4 may still be the better option . The Pi 5 offers better performance, but at the cost of higher power consumption. This makes it less suitable for environments with limited power supply .

6. Software and support

Both models are supported by Raspberry Pi OS. The Raspberry Pi 5 benefits from newer software optimizations and improved support for more modern hardware . As a result, the Pi 5 offers:

• Better performance when running modern applications
• Longer software support and compatibility
• Faster updates and optimizations

These improvements make the Pi 5 better suited to future software updates and new operating systems , while the Pi 4 remains a solid choice for projects that require stability and long-term support .

7. Price and availability

The Raspberry Pi 4 remains the more affordable option at the moment. This makes it particularly suitable for:

• Educational applications
• Budget-friendly projects
• Large-scale implementations (such as in schools or industries)

For users who need the higher performance and expandability right away, the Pi 5 is a logical choice.

The Pi 4 remains a cheaper and more versatile alternative for less demanding applications.

When to choose Raspberry Pi 4?

The Raspberry Pi 4 remains a powerful and versatile device that is still an excellent choice for many applications. It is especially suitable if you are budget-conscious and do not need extreme performance.

When lower costs are essential

If price is a deciding factor, the Raspberry Pi 4 is a more attractive choice. Because it has been on the market for longer, it is cheaper than the Raspberry Pi 5. This makes it ideal for:

• Educational institutions , where many devices are needed for programming lessons or electronics experiments.
• Hobbyists and makers. Who want an affordable computer for their projects without spending too much.
• Companies that want to deploy on a large scale. For example for digital signage, embedded systems or simple servers.

For simple tasks such as light IoT applications and basic media streaming

The Raspberry Pi 4 has enough power to perform basic computing tasks and is often used for:

• IoT applications such as weather stations, smart doorbells, home automation and sensor controllers.
• Media streaming , for example as a Kodi media player or Plex server . It supports 4K video , but may have limitations at higher frame rates.
• Simple server applications , such as a web server, file server (NAS) or print server.

When power consumption and energy efficiency are very important

For projects where low power consumption is crucial, such as:

• Battery powered applications (for example, a weather station in a remote area).
• Smart IoT devices , where efficiency is more important than pure performance.
• Applications with limited power supply. Such as solar projects or embedded applications in environments with minimal power supply.

The Pi 4 has lower power consumption than the Pi 5, making it more energy efficient for long-running projects.

In summary: Choose the Raspberry Pi 4 if you need an energy-efficient solution for simple tasks. Think IoT, media streaming and embedded applications .

When to choose Raspberry Pi 5?

The Raspberry Pi 5 is designed for users who need more power and flexibility. This model offers significant performance improvements and additional expansion options, making it ideal for heavier workloads and future-proof applications .

For heavier applications such as servers, desktop use and gaming

With a faster processor, improved memory, and PCIe support, the Pi 5 is much better suited for:

• Use as a desktop computer. Thanks to the more powerful CPU and GPU, the Pi 5 can function as a simple desktop. Use it for surfing, word processing, programming and even light gaming.
• Server applications : Think of a web server, mail server, VPN server or even a Kubernetes cluster for software development.
• Emulation and gaming. The improved GPU makes it possible to play PlayStation 2, GameCube and Wii games .

For extensive multimedia applications, high-resolution video editing and better multitasking

Thanks to its Videocore VII GPU and support for dual 4K displays at 60Hz, the Pi 5 is ideal for:

• Video editing and 3D rendering .
• Digital signage and interactive screens .
• Multitasking between heavy applications , without noticeable slowdowns.

With faster storage capabilities and a more powerful CPU/GPU, the Pi 5 can be used as a compact media server and production platform .

If PCIe expansions are desired (for example NVMe storage or fast peripherals)

One of the biggest advantages of the Raspberry Pi 5 is its support for PCIe 2.0 , which allows for:

• Faster storage via NVMe SSDs , allowing operating systems and applications to boot much faster.
• Professional peripherals , such as AI accelerators, industrial sensors or network cards.
• Future expansions , giving you more flexibility in hardware upgrades.

Summary. Choose the Raspberry Pi 5 if you need high performance, better multimedia support, faster storage, and expansion options via PCIe . This model is ideal for businesses and developers who want to get the most out of their Raspberry Pi .

Should you replace your Raspberry Pi 4 with a Raspberry Pi 5?

Is upgrading to Raspberry Pi 5 worth it? That depends on how you use your current Raspberry Pi 4 and whether you really need the improvements.

When an upgrade makes sense

Consider switching to the Raspberry Pi 5 if you:

• Need more computing power for heavier applications. Think of desktop use, servers, AI, machine learning or advanced gaming and emulation .
• Want faster storage options via PCIe and NVMe SSDs. This can dramatically improve operating system and application load times.
• Looking for better image quality for 4K@60Hz video playback, graphics-intensive tasks, or multi-monitor setups .
• Future-proofing is important to you. Because the Raspberry Pi 5 gets longer software support and offers better performance for future applications.

When you can just stick with the Raspberry Pi 4

You don't necessarily need to upgrade if:

• Your Pi 4 still meets your needs. Like for IoT applications, simple servers or basic media streaming .
• You need a low-power system. Since the Pi 4 uses less power and is better suited for battery-powered projects.
• You mainly perform light tasks , such as surfing the web, basic programming, or simple file servers.
• You don't need PCIe expansions or faster storage. This is because you work perfectly well with microSD cards or standard USB storage, for example.

Conclusion

If you need more performance, faster storage, and better graphics capabilities , then upgrading to the Raspberry Pi 5 makes sense . However, if you’re happy with what the Raspberry Pi 4 offers and don’t need any of the new features, then there’s no immediate need to upgrade, and you’ll be fine with your existing Pi for years to come.

Conclusion

The Raspberry Pi 5 offers a significant upgrade over the Raspberry Pi 4. With a faster processor, better memory, PCIe support, and improved multimedia options . This allows the Pi 5 to perform better in demanding applications such as desktop usage, server management, gaming, and high-performance computing .

However, the Raspberry Pi 4 remains a solid choice for projects where energy efficiency and simple tasks are more important. Thanks to its lower power consumption and wider availability, the Pi 4 is still ideal for education, IoT, and basic media streaming .

In short:

• Choose the Raspberry Pi 4 if you want an affordable and energy-efficient solution for lightweight applications such as IoT, simple servers and media streaming.
• Choose the Raspberry Pi 5 if you need higher performance, faster storage, and expansion options for servers, gaming, video editing, and heavy workloads .