Questions tagged [pi-models]

This tag is for questions about the difference between models, e.g. A, A+, B, B+, 2B, 3B, 3B+, 3A+, 4B, Zero, Zero W and Compute Module.

All Models come with:

  • HDMI out (except compute module)
  • Either 26 (A, B) or 40 (A+, B+, 2 B, 3 B, 3 B+, 3 A+, Zero, Zero W) breakout connections, including those for GPIO, 3.3 and 5 V power, ground, UART, SPI, and I2C buses. The compute module uses a DDR2 SODIMM connector as opposed to a pin or hole type breakout.
  • SD or mini-SD card slot (except for compute module which has a user programmable onboard 4GByte eMMC memory device)
  • Micro USB 5V powered (except compute module)
  • VideoCore IV GPU

The A, B, A+, B+, and compute modules come with a single core, ARMv6 based BCM2835 processor rated at 700 MHz.

The Pi 2 (aka. "2 B") comes with a quad-core, ARMv7 based BCM2836 processor rated at 900 MHz. The Pi 3 (aka. "3 B") has a quad-core, ARMv7 based BCM2837 processor rated at 1.2 GHz. The Pi 3 B+ and 3 A+ have a quad-core, ARMv8 based BCM2837B0 at 1.4 GHz. The Pi 4 ("4 B") has a Broadcom BCM2711, Quad core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC at 1.5 GHz.

The Pi Zero and Zero W come with a single core, ARMv6 based BCM2835 processor rated at 1 GHz.

Other key differences between the models (note that RAM must be shared with the GPU):

Model A

  • 1 USB 2.0 port
  • 256 MB RAM
  • Lower power consumption than model B
  • 3.5mm audio jack
  • RCA composite video out
  • CSI camera interface
  • DSI display interface
  • 17 GPIO Pins in main Header
  • 6-hole secondary breakout including 2nd I2C bus

Model A+

  • 1 USB 2.0 port
  • 256 MB RAM
  • Lower power consumption than model A
  • 3.5mm 4-pole audio/video out
  • CSI camera interface
  • DSI display interface
  • 26 GPIO Pins in main Header

Model B

  • 2 USB 2.0 ports
  • 512 MB RAM (256 MB on pre 2012/10/16 versions)
  • Ethernet
  • 3.5mm audio jack
  • RCA composite video out
  • CSI camera interface
  • DSI display interface
  • 17 GPIO Pins in main Header
  • 6-hole secondary breakout including 2nd I2C bus

Model B+

  • 4 USB 2.0 ports
  • 512 MB RAM
  • Lower power consumption compared to model B
  • 3.5mm 4-pole audio/video out
  • Ethernet
  • CSI camera interface
  • DSI display interface
  • 26 GPIO Pins in main Header

2 Model B

  • 1 GB RAM
  • 4 USB 2.0 ports
  • 3.5mm 4-pole audio/video out
  • Ethernet
  • CSI camera interface
  • DSI display interface
  • 26 GPIO Pins in main Header

Zero

  • 512 MB of RAM
  • Mini (as opposed to standard) HDMI socket
  • One Micro-USB OTG port
  • Pinless 40 GPIO header (i.e., just holes) - 26 GPIO connections.
  • Connectionless (Composite) Video header.
  • As of 2016/05/16, version 1.3 has a "mini" CSI-2 camera interface - which is the same as used for the Compute Module I/O Board {needs a mini-to-standard flexible connector to use with RPi camera modules}.

Zero W

  • 512 MB of RAM
  • On-board Wireless LAN - 2.4 GHz 802.11 b/g/n (BCM43438)
  • On-board Bluetooth 4.1 + HS Low-energy (BLE) (BCM43438)
  • Mini (as opposed to standard) HDMI socket
  • One Micro-USB OTG port
  • Pinless 40 GPIO header (i.e., just holes) - 26 GPIO connections.
  • Connectionless (Composite) Video header.
  • a "mini" CSI-2 camera interface - which is the same as used for the Compute Module I/O Board {needs a mini-to-standard flexible connector to use with RPi camera modules}.

Compute Module

  • no explicit ports or connectors - all connections made via SO-DIMM connector - some connectors are provided on a separate "Development" I/O Board
  • 2 USB port connections (One is for programming / booting)
  • 45 GPIO connections (+2 also used internally) available
  • 512 MB of RAM
  • 2x CSI-2 I/F for Raspberry Pi camera modules
  • 2x DSI I/F for Raspberry Pi displays
  • Composite Video output
  • DDR2 SO-DIMM form factor

3 Model B (released February 2016)

  • 1 GB RAM
  • 4 USB 2.0 ports
  • 3.5mm 4-pole audio/video out
  • Ethernet, WiFi and Bluetooth (replaces 2/4 USB Outputs MicroChip LAN9512/14 devices on other B models with Broadcomm's own BCM43143)
  • CSI camera interface
  • DSI display interface
  • 26 GPIO Pins in main Header

3 Model B+ (released March 2018)

  • 1 GB RAM
  • 4 USB 2.0 ports
  • 3.5mm 4-pole audio/video out
  • Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth (Bluetooth 4.2, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE))
  • CSI camera interface
  • DSI display interface
  • 26 GPIO Pins in main Header

3 Model A+ (released November 2018)

  • 512 MB RAM
  • 1 USB 2.0 port
  • 3.5mm 4-pole audio/video out
  • WiFi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth (Bluetooth 4.2, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE))
  • CSI camera interface
  • DSI display interface
  • 26 GPIO Pins in main Header

4 Model B (released June 2019)

  • 1/2/4 GB RAM (options)
  • 2 USB 2.0 ports
  • 2 USB 3.0 ports
  • Micro (as opposed to standard) HDMI socket
  • 3.5mm 4-pole audio/video out
  • Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz 802.11ac) and Bluetooth (Bluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE))
  • dual HDMI (micro connector) supporting 2x 4kp60 displays
  • CSI camera interface
  • DSI display interface
  • PoE enabled
  • 26 GPIO Pins in main Header
39 questions
34
votes
2 answers

What's the difference between the Raspberry Pi 1 Model B and B+?

I have a Model B Raspberry Pi, but what are the differences between this and the new Model B+? Also apart from the physical differences, what could I do with a B+ that I can't do with my Model B?
dmeehan
  • 599
  • 3
  • 7
  • 12
29
votes
4 answers

What is the difference between Model A and Model B?

There are hardware differences and peripheral differences. What can be accomplished or run on a Model B that cannot be done with a Model A? Are expansion boards being designed to be compatible with both? When available, other than cost, is there…
ramblinjan
  • 4,090
  • 7
  • 35
  • 52
15
votes
3 answers

What is the difference between Model B+ v1.2 and Model 2B v1.1

I have read a few threads and a wiki page, but I am still getting confused. Until now I have used RPi Model B+ v1.2 and since it has 40 GPIOs, 4x USB and stuff, I supposed it is the RPi 2. Today I have received RPi 2 Model B v1.1 for my new…
Filip Čížek
  • 151
  • 1
  • 1
  • 4
14
votes
3 answers

What are the differences between the Model 2B and 3B?

Having seen an official part/order number (SC14012 or SC14014 with 16GB micro SD Noobs software) including what looks to be a real photographic image in a recent (2016/02/27 "Computer World" March 2016 issue) weekly mail-out from CPC the Retail…
SlySven
  • 3,631
  • 1
  • 20
  • 46
11
votes
4 answers

What happened to Raspberry Pi 2- and 3- Model A?

I've been reading the FAQ section of the Raspberry Pi official site and I've noticed there was a list of all the devices ever made, which are (as of June 2016): Raspberry Pi Model A Raspberry Pi Model B Raspberry Pi Model A+ Raspberry Pi…
Victor
  • 480
  • 2
  • 7
  • 15
9
votes
2 answers

What Pi Model & OS version is installed

Users often seem confused about what Pi model they have and what OS version is installed or how to find details. Where is this located?
Milliways
  • 62,573
  • 32
  • 113
  • 225
8
votes
1 answer

Crosscompiling: exact archictecture for all models

I would like to crosscompile some piece of C++ software in a way that I can run on every Raspberry Pi. I am confused about the parameter -march. I've found a great deal of resources recommending to use armv6zk to be compatible with all versions of…
Pietro Saccardi
  • 296
  • 1
  • 8
8
votes
1 answer

What are the improvements included on the Raspberry Pi Model A+

I have just read that there is a new model Raspberry Pi coming called the A+. What are the improvements added to this board and how does it compare with the recently released Model B+? Are there any software restrictions that apply to the A+ that…
dmeehan
  • 599
  • 3
  • 7
  • 12
7
votes
2 answers

What power supply should be used for the B+ model?

I'm thinking about purchasing a Raspberry Pi B+ model, and the Raspberry Pi website states that the power supply should output 2 A through a micro- USB supply. OK, but in terms of voltage, what should it be? Is 5 V suitable? That's what many of the…
Mattios550
  • 173
  • 1
  • 1
  • 5
6
votes
2 answers

Is there an accurate 3D CAD model of the version B board?

I'm making a custom case for the Raspberry Pi and need a CAD model that is accurate to work with. I've seen a few of them on GrabCAD, but I'm uncertain if those are good enough. Are there no official CAD files of the Raspberry Pi?
mugetsu
  • 295
  • 3
  • 4
  • 8
6
votes
1 answer

What are the differences between the the models 3B+ and the new 3A+?

The Raspberrypi Foundation just announced: New product: Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ ... releasing the Pi 3 A+ as [...] one of our most frequently requested “missing” products. By the way, the Foundation also explains: that the 3+ platform is the…
Ghanima
  • 15,958
  • 17
  • 65
  • 125
6
votes
2 answers

When will the Model A be released?

It is my understanding that only the Model B version of the Raspberry Pi is currently available. What is the expected release date of the Model A version?
Zoot
  • 2,996
  • 3
  • 27
  • 36
5
votes
1 answer

Desktop Performance of 512MB Model B vs 256MB Model B

My 256MB Model B Raspberry PI failed a few months ago while I was at university, I don't think it liked being shut away in my box of cables. I am going to buy a new PI for some projects I have in mind to do with the rest of my summer. I am wondering…
user3728501
  • 248
  • 4
  • 11
5
votes
2 answers

Power regulation circuits on B+ vs 2 (light sensitivity)

I've seen recent articles on the Raspberry Pi 2 being affected by a light source (http://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=99042) . Apparently the cause is in the power regulation circuit of the Pi. Does the Pi B+ have the same…
John Smith
  • 1,251
  • 3
  • 18
  • 27
5
votes
3 answers

What are the Specs of a 2011 Raspberry Pi?

I have a 2011 Raspberry Pi, and after much searching on the internet I cannot seem to find the specs for it. Does anyone have any idea what the main difference between a prototype 2011 Raspberry Pi and a model B Raspberry Pi is?
Darth Vader
  • 4,218
  • 24
  • 47
  • 70
1
2 3