Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB)

Initial Impressions:My first experience with the Raspberry Pi 5 was marred by a rough delivery—literally. The Amazon driver threw the package at my front door so hard that it bounced multiple times. This incident was captured on my Ring doorbell, and while I reported it to Amazon, nothing came of it. I mention this because, after seeing the condition of the flimsy cardboard box it came in, I was concerned about the Pi's durability. Surprisingly, despite the lack of internal protection and the rough handling, the Pi was in one piece and worked after some minor adjustments. The Pi itself came from Pimoroni, a reputable seller I highly recommend.Setup and Installation:First off, I wouldn't recommend using the Raspberry Pi 5 without a proper cooling solution. I opted for an overkill approach, purchasing the Geekworm Pi5 Case Aluminum Passive Cooling (P122-C) and some small 3v/5v fans, which I installed during a live Twitch stream. For storage, I used a SanDisk 256GB High Endurance MicroSD card, ideal for the server setup I had in mind due to its durability. Using the Raspberry Pi Imager, I flashed the card with Ubuntu Server, pre-configuring it with my WiFi settings and other essentials.The setup process was straightforward for someone familiar with the Pi ecosystem, but beginners might find it a bit challenging. However, there are plenty of tutorials and guides available to help. I set up the Pi headless (without a monitor or keyboard) to run a fully modded Minecraft Server (Java Edition), and to my surprise, it worked flawlessly. I even documented the process in a YouTube VOD, proving that running a modded Minecraft server on a Pi is not only possible but also efficient.Later, I repurposed the Pi into a web server by installing Ubuntu Server again, along with PHP, MariaDB, and Apache. It handled this transition with ease, providing a snappy and responsive performance.Performance:The Raspberry Pi 5’s performance exceeded my expectations. Compared to the Raspberry Pi 4, the improvement is significant, though perhaps not immediately noticeable in all use cases. My modded Minecraft server, running 130+ mods, handled six players simultaneously without any lag or performance issues. The TPS (Ticks Per Second) remained stable at 20, with only minor drops that weren’t noticeable during gameplay.As a web server, the Pi continued to impress, delivering fast and stable performance. I haven’t felt the need to overclock the Pi, as its stock performance is more than sufficient for my needs.Connectivity and Ports:The Raspberry Pi 5 comes with a robust set of connectivity options: Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and dual 4Kp60 HDMI outputs, among others. While I primarily used the GPIO pins to power the fans and the WiFi for network connectivity, these ports offer great flexibility for a wide range of projects.The CPU, a 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76, strikes a good balance between power and energy efficiency. It’s powerful enough for most projects while keeping power consumption low.Cooling and Power Consumption:Without additional cooling, the Pi 5 quickly overheats and throttles under load. I highly recommend investing in a cooling solution, even if it’s just the basic Raspberry Pi Cooler. My custom cooling setup, which cost around £20, kept the Pi running cool and stable, even under heavy loads.In terms of power consumption, the Pi draws around 12-14W under load in my use case, making it a cost-effective replacement for my old servers. For power, I suggest using a supply that can output at least 5V at 3A, though the official Raspberry Pi power supply (5V, 5A) is ideal.Use Cases:The Raspberry Pi 5’s potential is limited only by your imagination and its 8GB RAM. It can serve as a low-power desktop, an emulator, a home automation hub, a web server, or even a Minecraft server, as I demonstrated. Currently, I’m using mine as a local web server, running PiHole, and a Wi-Fi Authentication Portal. It’s quiet, consumes little power, and handles these tasks flawlessly.If you’re looking for a device to handle similar projects, the Pi 5 is an excellent choice. However, be mindful that it’s not a replacement for a modern desktop PC.Value for Money:The Raspberry Pi 5 offers excellent value for money, though it suffers from scalper pricing. If you find the 8GB model for more than £80, you’re likely being overcharged. Prices around £70 are reasonable, and anything below £65 is a steal. Compared to running a full desktop or server, the energy savings alone make the Pi 5 a worthwhile investment.Final Thoughts:Let’s address the Pi 5’s main limitation: 8GB of RAM should be the entry-level or mid-range option, with a 16GB model available. While 8GB is sufficient for most users right now, it won’t be long before this isn’t the case. Enthusiasts and those running more demanding applications may find this limiting.Overclocking the Pi 5 is also hit or miss. I couldn’t push mine beyond 2.6GHz without instability, and anything above 2.8GHz was a no-go. But for most users, stock performance will be more than enough.If you’re looking for a low-power device for small projects or teaching kids to code, the Pi 5 is a fantastic choice. It’s versatile, powerful for its size, and offers great value. However, if you need a desktop replacement, adjust your expectations accordingly.Overall, the Raspberry Pi 5 is an impressive piece of tech that continues to push the boundaries of what a small, affordable computer can do. It’s a must-have for enthusiasts, educators, and hobbyists alike.I give this a 4.7/5, which I'll round up.

I recently purchased the Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB), and I couldn’t be happier with my decision! This little powerhouse has truly exceeded my expectations in every way.**Performance:**The performance boost compared to previous models is remarkable. The new CPU and GPU make everything run smoothly, whether I'm coding, streaming videos, or running multiple applications simultaneously. The 8GB of RAM is a game changer, allowing me to handle demanding tasks without any lag.**Connectivity:**The dual HDMI ports are fantastic! I’ve set up two 4K monitors, and the visual quality is stunning. The USB 3.0 ports offer incredibly fast data transfer speeds, which is perfect for connecting my external drives. Plus, the built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make it super easy to connect to my network and peripherals.**Ease of Use:**Setting up the Raspberry Pi 5 was a breeze. I followed a few simple steps, and I was up and running in no time. The latest Raspberry Pi OS is intuitive, and I appreciate the extensive community support available online. There are tons of tutorials and projects to help both beginners and experienced users alike.**Versatility:**I’ve used it for a variety of projects, from creating a home media center to experimenting with IoT applications. It’s incredible how much you can do with such a compact device!**Build Quality:**The build quality feels solid, and the compact design makes it easy to integrate into any setup. The GPIO pins are easily accessible for anyone looking to work on hardware projects.In summary, the Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) is a fantastic investment for anyone interested in computing, programming, or DIY projects. Its performance, connectivity options, and ease of use make it a must-have. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and powerful microcomputer!