Raspberry Pi finally unveils its single-board computer for embedded apps
- Raspberry Pi has launched its 5-based Compute Module 5 (CM5).
- Users can get an upgraded I/O board and other accessories for it
- Available from just $45, with multiple configurations
Raspberry Pi has revealed the latest modular variant of its single-board computer.
The Compute Module 5 (CM5) is essentially a stripped-down version of the Raspberry Pi 5 and comes ten years after the first Compute Module, launched in 2014.
CEO Eben Upton said he recognized that not all applications are suitable for the Pi 5’s design and peripherals, and that users want more control over how and where they set up their SBCs, hence the stripped-down Compute Module.
Raspberry Pi CM5
The simplified design and abundance of configuration options, both in terms of components and hardware accessories, are designed to meet the needs of commercial Raspberry Pi customers.
The CM5’s compact form factor and lack of traditional ports make it ideal for the industrial and embedded sectors, which accounted for approximately three-quarters (70-80%) of Raspberry Pi sales in 2023.
It uses a 2.4 GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU with 2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM. Upton suggested that a 16GB variant could become available in 2025. It is also configurable with 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of MLC eMMC non-volatile memory, and includes Gigabit Ethernet and PCIe 2.0 support.
The CEO also confirmed that CM5 is mechanically compatible with its predecessor, CM4, meaning users can upgrade their single-board computers without having to upgrade other parts of their infrastructure. M2.5 screws fit into each corner of the board to mount the device.
CM5 is configurable thanks to a new range of accessories, including an upgraded USB-C powered I/O card with a standard 40-pin GPIO connector, two HDMI 2.0 connectors, two USB 3.0 connectors, a Gigabit Ethernet connection with PoE+ support, a microSD card slot and more.
The I/O board is also available in a closed enclosure, with the ports all placed on one side of the neat box. It is sold with an integrated fan, which connects to the board’s four-pin fan connector.
Other equipment includes a cooler, an antenna kit, and a development kit, which bundles a preconfigured CM5, the I/O board, the case, the cooler, the antenna, and more.
Priced alone, the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 retails from $45.
