The Raspberry Pi series has long been a favorite among tech enthusiasts, developers, and hobbyists, offering a blend of affordability, versatility, and performance. The recent launch of the Raspberry Pi 5 has only solidified its position as a go-to single-board computer for a wide range of applications. However, until now, the Raspberry Pi 5 was available only in two variants: a 4 GB RAM model priced at $60/£57 and an 8 GB RAM model at $80/£77. These models, while powerful, might be overkill for those working on simpler projects that don’t require as much memory.
Recognizing this, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has just introduced a new, more budget-friendly option: the Raspberry Pi 5 with 2 GB of RAM, priced at $50/£47. This new variant retains the core features of the Raspberry Pi 5 while offering a lower cost, making it an attractive choice for those with less demanding requirements.
What’s Inside the New 2GB Raspberry Pi 5?
The new 2 GB Raspberry Pi 5 isn’t just about less memory; it also features a cost-optimized Broadcom BCM2712D0 SoC. According to Raspberry Pi Founder Eben Upton, this chip is “functionally identical” to the BCM2712C1 found in the other Raspberry Pi 5 models but is cheaper to produce. The reason? The D0 version strips away unnecessary functionality that the C1 version included to serve other markets, reducing the die space and consequently, the manufacturing cost.
From a user perspective, the performance remains consistent with what you’d expect from the Raspberry Pi 5 series. The only difference is the reduced RAM and slightly lower price point.
Is the 2GB Model Right for You?
Whether the 2 GB model is the right choice depends largely on your intended use. For many hobbyist projects, such as basic IoT applications, simple coding tasks, or even retro gaming up to the PS1 era, 2 GB of RAM is more than sufficient. In fact, most ARM-powered handheld gaming devices top out at 1 GB of RAM, so the 2 GB offered by this new Raspberry Pi 5 variant should be more than capable.
However, if your projects involve more resource-intensive tasks—like running a full Ubuntu desktop, media editing, or multitasking with multiple browser tabs—you may find that the additional $10-$20 for the 4 GB or 8 GB models is a worthwhile investment. These tasks can quickly eat up memory, and the extra RAM will ensure smoother performance.
Availability
The new 2 GB Raspberry Pi 5 is now available from approved Raspberry Pi resellers worldwide, including Pishop.us in the United States, The Pi Hut in the UK, e2u in India, and Welectron in Germany. It’s essential to buy from these approved sellers to ensure you’re paying the recommended retail price and getting a genuine product.
Final Thoughts
The introduction of the 2 GB Raspberry Pi 5 model is a smart move by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, addressing the needs of users who require less memory for their projects and prefer a lower cost. By maintaining the same ports, connectors, and overall performance while reducing the RAM and optimizing the SoC, this new model provides an excellent option for those looking to save a little money without compromising on the core Raspberry Pi experience.
So, whether you’re just getting started with Raspberry Pi or looking to add another unit to your collection, the new 2 GB variant offers a compelling blend of affordability and functionality.
Harshvardhan Mishra