cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ndlug.org/post/1001830

Today, we’re happy to announce the launch of the 2GB Raspberry Pi 5, built on a cost-optimised D0 stepping of the BCM2712 application processor, and priced at just $50.

The new D0 stepping strips away all that unneeded functionality, leaving only the bits we need. From the perspective of a Raspberry Pi user, it is functionally identical to its predecessor: the same fast quad-core processor; the same multimedia capabilities; and the same PCI Express bus that has proven to be one of the most exciting features of the Raspberry Pi 5 platform. However, it is cheaper to make, and so is available to us at somewhat lower cost. And this, combined with the savings from halving the memory capacity, has allowed us to take $10 out of the cost of the finished product.

So, while our most demanding users — who want to drive dual 4Kp60 displays, or open a hundred browser tabs, or compile complex software from source — will probably stick with the existing higher memory-capacity variants of Raspberry Pi 5, many of you will find that this new, lower-cost variant works perfectly well for your use cases.

  • dinckel
    link
    2724 days ago

    They are what you make of them. I have three 3b+ units sitting upstairs, one of which runs my entire media stack, and the second is mostly just for Pihole, and the last is for general tinkering I might need. The pin array is awesome to have.

    No one’s arguing they are low performance (although a 5 is practically 5x the performance of a 3b+ unit), but they definitely don’t suck

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      1224 days ago

      I don’t even mean performance in terms of computing power.

      RPIs are, imo, not meant as a server. It might (and will) work fine, but one of the main problems I have is the power supply. As soon as I send a more advanced print job to my RPI, it crashes. Even though I have the official power cord.

      If it works for you - fine! I don’t want to tell badly about them. They are great.

      It’s just that they are very inflexible.

      • @scarilog
        link
        223 days ago

        Could also be your sd card btw.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        123 days ago

        NGL, changing the computer instead of the power supply seems a bit expensive if that’s the problem

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        1
        edit-2
        23 days ago

        Could be a bad board. I have a Pi 3B+ that intermittently crashes and shows insufficient voltage no matter what power supply is used.

    • @Thebeardedsinglemalt
      link
      324 days ago

      I bought a couple a few years ago, the only one I still use is the PiHole, which has been phenomenal. I did try to use one as a media server but turned out to be more of a pain than it was worth.

      • dinckel
        link
        524 days ago

        I handle everything through docker, and a Portainer agent on top of that, so it’s actually been quite painless. Would definitely recommend

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        224 days ago

        We used a RPi 4 for a Plex server for a while. It was fine except it couldn’t do any live transcoding or handle h265 worth beans.

        I upgraded to an OrangePi 5. I’m on a sata drive for the OS and a external USB disk for media. The thing is amazing!

        No, it’s not a $50 computer. Yes, it works great.

        I love RPi boards, but their hardware limitations are quick to be found as you move past simple hobbyist projects.