The eagerly awaited Raspberry Pi 5 was unveiled in October 2023 – and now it comes with a groundbreaking new feature: 16 GB RAM.
This model clearly stands out from its predecessors and represents a huge increase in performance, opening up a wide range of new applications for hobbyists, developers and businesses. Here we take a closer look at the Raspberry Pi 5 with 16 GB RAM and its impressive features.
Improved performance thanks to 16 GB RAM
The highlight of the Raspberry Pi 5 is undoubtedly the massive 16 GB RAM. This is a huge leap compared to the 4 GB and 8 GB RAM versions of the Raspberry Pi 4. The extra RAM allows the Raspberry Pi 5 to run more demanding applications that previously may not have run smoothly on a Raspberry Pi. These include:

- Database applications and server solutions that require more memory to manage large amounts of data.
- Multimedia projects, such as video or image editing, which benefit from a higher storage capacity.
- Virtual machines and containers that run much more efficiently on a Raspberry Pi 5 with 16 GB RAM.
Thanks to the extended RAM, the Raspberry Pi 5 is also increasingly suitable for use as a desktop computer, which can be used for everyday office tasks or as a development environment.
Faster processor for higher performance
In addition to the extended RAM, the Raspberry Pi 5 also offers a new processor based on the ARM Cortex-A76 architecture. This offers a significant increase in performance compared to the Raspberry Pi 4. The quad-core processor with 2.0 GHz (or even 2.4 GHz depending on the model) ensures that computing-intensive tasks can be completed quickly and efficiently. This is particularly advantageous for complex applications and multitasking.
Versatile connection options
The Raspberry Pi 5 offers a wide range of connection options that make its use even more flexible and versatile:

- USB 3.0 ports: Fast data transfer for connected peripheral devices such as hard disks or USB sticks.
- Dual-4K HDMI: Support for simultaneous 4K output on two monitors – ideal for multimedia applications or desktop setups.
- Gigabit Ethernet: Provides a stable and fast network connection that is beneficial for server applications or streaming.
- USB-C for the power supply: Using a standard USB-C cable makes the power supply efficient and uncomplicated.
In addition, there are also improvements in the storage connection, including a fast PCIe Gen 2 port, which enables fast connection of expansion cards such as SSDs.
Applications for the Raspberry Pi 5 with 16 GB RAM
With 16 GB RAM, the Raspberry Pi 5 is no longer just a tinkering or learning computer. It opens up new possibilities for more demanding applications:
- Home server and NAS: The additional RAM makes it possible to operate the Raspberry Pi as a robust home server or NAS (Network Attached Storage) to store and manage data centrally.
- Multimedia streaming: With 4K HDMI and more RAM, the Raspberry Pi 5 becomes an excellent option for media centers or streaming servers.
- Development and programming: Developers can use resource-intensive development environments with more RAM, for example for web and app development or software testing.
Edge computing: The Raspberry Pi 5 is ideal for IoT and edge computing applications where data is processed directly at the edge of the network before being forwarded to the cloud.
Our conclusion
The Raspberry Pi 5 with 16 GB RAM is an impressive step forward for the popular single-board computer project. It now offers tremendous performance far beyond what previous models could deliver. The expanded RAM, faster processors and versatile connectivity options make it an excellent choice for advanced projects that require more power.
Whether for use as a powerful desktop PC, as a server solution or for creative and demanding projects – the Raspberry Pi 5 with 16 GB RAM is a real powerhouse that opens up many new possibilities. It remains exciting to see what innovations the community will implement with this new hardware.
Raspberry Pi 5
The most powerful Raspberry Pi ever! With a faster processor, improved connections and innovative features, it takes your projects to the next level.