Raspberry Pi 5 Gets a New, More Affordable 2 GB Variant with Updated SoC

Raspberry Pi has introduced a new 2 GB variant of its popular Raspberry Pi 5 single-board computer (SBC), adding a more affordable option to its lineup. This new model offers a lower price point and features an updated BCM2712 SoC with a D0 stepping, which optimizes the chip’s design by removing unused features, potentially improving overall efficiency.

For the Cost-Conscious

When the Raspberry Pi 5 was launched last year, it debuted with 4 GB and 8 GB RAM variants, which have been popular among hobbyists and professionals alike. However, these models currently retail at around $75 for the 4 GB version and $100 for the 8 GB version, prices that may be out of reach for some users. The newly announced 2 GB variant is priced at approximately $63, making it a more budget-friendly option without compromising too much on performance.
 

Dark Silicon?

You’ve heard of dark matter and dark energy. Meet dark silicon. The D0 stepping of the BCM2712 SoC is a significant update. The previous C1 stepping included what is referred to as “dark silicon” — areas of the die that are unused in the context of a general-purpose SBC such as the Raspberry Pi. These unused features are remnants of the SoC’s original design for set-top boxes and similar devices. By stripping out these unnecessary elements, the D0 stepping potentially reduces manufacturing defects and optimizes the chip for use in the Raspberry Pi, albeit with a likely increase in power density. This makes proper cooling even more critical, especially for those planning to push the board to its limits.

For users wondering if 2 GB of RAM is sufficient, it largely depends on the intended use case. For light computing tasks, educational purposes, and projects that don’t demand heavy multitasking, the 2 GB model should perform adequately. The $10 savings compared to the 4 GB model could be appealing for those who prioritize budget over additional memory capacity.

Moreover, it’s expected that this D0 stepping will eventually be rolled out to the 4 GB and 8 GB variants as well, though benchmarks are awaited to determine the real-world performance difference between the C1 and D0 steppings.