Which is better for a desktop PC replacement?

The Pi 5 kit. Its 4GB of RAM and 2.4GHz Cortex-A76 handle a browser and office apps that would stall a 1GB Pi 4.

Is the Pi 5 kit worth the extra over a Pi 4 1GB?

Yes for general use, because the kit includes the case, power supply and preloaded card you would otherwise buy. Only pick the Pi 4 1GB if your job is light and fixed, like Pi-hole.

The Pi 4 1GB runs cooler and draws less power. The Pi 5 runs hot under load and needs the case fan the kit includes.

Can the Pi 4 1GB run the same software?

Yes. Both run Raspberry Pi OS and the same Linux packages, but the 1GB model limits how much you can run at once.

Which is better for retro gaming?

The Pi 5 kit, for Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast emulation. The Pi 4 1GB is fine up to 16-bit consoles.

Do I need to buy anything else with the Pi 5 kit?

Only a monitor, keyboard and mouse. The kit supplies the board, case, power supply and a microSD with PiOS installed.

Vilros Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Starter Kit vs Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

Buy the Vilros Raspberry Pi 5 4GB Starter Kit if you want a ready-to-boot machine with more memory, a much faster CPU and a case and power supply in the box. Buy the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 1GB only if you need the lowest-cost board for light tasks like Pi-hole, a print server or retro emulation. The Pi 5 kit costs more because it bundles accessories and newer hardware; the Pi 4 1GB is the cheaper board-only option.

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