Raspberry Pi 5 4GB vs Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 1GB
Buy the Pi 5 4GB for anything that needs speed, RAM or USB 3: desktop use, media, containers, light AI. Buy the Pi 4 1GB only for a fixed, lightweight job like a Pi-hole, a sensor bridge or a simple kiosk where 1GB is enough. The Pi 5 4GB costs more than the Pi 4 1GB, and the gap is the price of the extra performance. Check current prices at each store before you commit, since both boards move on price.
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Raspberry Pi 5 4GB
Raspberry Pi 5 4GB RAM
Choose the Raspberry Pi 5 4GB if you want the fastest Pi, 4GB of RAM for multitasking, USB 3.0 and PCIe for an M.2 SSD.
- Roughly 2–3x the CPU speed of the Pi 4
- 4GB RAM handles browsers, containers and media servers
- USB 3.0 and PCIe give fast storage and boot from SSD
- Dual 4Kp60 HDMI with HDR
- In-house RP1 I/O controller frees up bandwidth
What separates them
| Raspberry Pi 5 4GB | Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 1GB | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Broadcom BCM2712, quad Cortex-A76 at 2.4GHz | Broadcom BCM2711, quad Cortex-A72 at 1.5GHz |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR4X-4267 | 1GB DDR4-2400 |
| USB | 2x USB 3.0 at 5Gbps plus 2x USB 2.0 | 2x USB 2.0 plus 2x USB 3.0 |
| Storage expansion | PCIe lane for an M.2 SSD via HAT | Micro SD only |
| HDMI | Dual full-size HDMI, 4Kp60 with HDR | Dual micro HDMI, 4Kp60 |
| Power | 5V/5A USB-C with Power Delivery | 5V/3A USB-C |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band 802.11ac | Dual-band 802.11ac |
| Price |
Price history
- Raspberry Pi 5 4GB: lowest $127.49 on Nov 1 at Amazon.
- Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 1GB: lowest $104.52 on Nov 1 at LynxPi.
Prices at every store
Raspberry Pi 5 4GB
- Platinum MicroCheck price at Platinum Micro
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
Specs compared
| Spec | Raspberry Pi 5 4GB | Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 1GB |
|---|---|---|
| Memory type | LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM | DDR4 RAM |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 / Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) | Bluetooth 5.0, BLE |
| USB ports | 2 x USB 3.0 ports, supporting simultaneous 5Gbp… | 2x USB2 ports |
| Number Of Cores | Quad-core | Quad-core |
| Installed Memory | 8 GB RAM | 1GB |
| Processor Speed | 2.4 GHz | 1.5GHz |
| CPU | Broadcom BCM2712 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Co… | — |
| L2 cache | 512KB per-core | — |
| L3 cache | 2MB shared | — |
| GPU | VideoCore VII GPU | — |
What reviewers say
Raspberry Pi 5 4GB
Owners treat the Pi 5 as the first Pi that feels like a usable small desktop, crediting the CPU jump and PCIe storage. The recurring complaints are heat, the need for a proper 27W supply and the extra cost of cooling and M.2 add-ons.
- SpeedPraisedOwners say it is two to three times faster than the Pi 4 in everyday tasks.
- HeatCriticisedIt runs hot under sustained load and needs a fan or ventilated case to avoid throttling.
- Power supplyMixedIt wants a 5V/5A USB-C supply, and weaker chargers cause warnings or reduced performance.
Questions and answers
- Is the Pi 5 4GB worth the extra over the Pi 4 1GB?
- Yes if you run a desktop, a browser, containers or a media server. The Pi 5 has 4x the RAM and a much faster CPU. For a single lightweight service, the Pi 4 1GB is enough and costs less.
- Can the Pi 4 1GB run Raspberry Pi OS desktop?
- It boots, but 1GB fills fast with a browser open. Use it headless or with a lightweight desktop. The Pi 5 4GB is the better desktop board.
- Which is better for a home server?
- The Pi 5 4GB. More RAM, USB 3.0 and a PCIe lane for an M.2 SSD make it a far better host for Docker, Nextcloud or a media library.
- Do both use the same accessories?
- The 40-pin GPIO header and camera/display connectors are compatible. Cases, power supplies and HDMI cables differ: the Pi 5 needs a 5V/5A USB-C supply and full-size HDMI.
- Which runs cooler?
- The Pi 4 1GB runs cooler and draws less power. The Pi 5 needs a heatsink or fan for sustained load.
- Which lasts longer as a project board?
- The Pi 5 4GB has more headroom for future projects. The Pi 4 1GB stays useful for fixed, low-demand roles.