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Raspberry Pi

pCP Team 3 April 2024 pCP 9.0.0 Components

The Raspberry Pi (RPi) is a small and relatively cheap single board computer (SBC). First introduced in 2012, the range has regularly expanded, resulting in many models and options being available. The Raspberry Pi has proven to be very successful, selling millions every year.

This success, combined with product availability and abundant support, makes the Raspberry Pi the hardware platform of choice for piCorePlayer (pCP).

Raspberry Pi 5

Models

Model Memory Freq Cores Kernel LAN Wifi Headphones
Zero 512MB 1GHz single 32-bit no no no
Zero W 512MB 1GHz single 32-bit no yes no
Zero 2 W 512MB 1GHz quad 32-bit, 64-bit no yes no
1A 256MB 700MHz single 32-bit no no yes
1A+ 256MB 700MHz single 32-bit no no yes
1B 256MB, 512MB 700MHz single 32-bit yes no yes
1B+ 512MB 700MHz single 32-bit yes no yes
2B 1GB 900MHz quad 32-bit, 64-bit yes no yes
3A+ 512MB 1.4GHz quad 32-bit, 64-bit yes yes yes
3B 1GB 1.2GHz quad 32-bit, 64-bit yes yes yes
3B+ 1GB 1.4GHz quad 32-bit, 64-bit yes yes yes
4B 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB 1.5GHz quad 32-bit, 64-bit yes yes yes
400 4GB 1.8GHz quad 32-bit, 64-bit yes yes no
CM1 512MB 700MHz single 32-bit na na na
CM3 1GB 1.2GHz quad 32-bit, 64-bit na na na
CM3+ 1GB 1.2GHz quad 32-bit, 64-bit na na na
CM4 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB 1.5GHz quad 32-bit, 64-bit na na na
5 4GB, 8GB 2.4GHz quad 64-bit yes yes no

For the current availability of Raspberry Pi products—see Raspberry Pi - Products.

Recommendation

piCorePlayer will “normally” work on all Raspberry Pi’s.

The Raspberry Pi Trading has a policy of maintaining a US$35 price point, so the latest model with the minimum specs will probably be the best value for money.

Although the Raspberry Pi Zeros are the cheapest by far, but they are often in short supply and can be difficult to purchase in some markets. They usually have a purchase quantity restriction of one per order.

Considerations

The faster the CPU:

  • the quicker the pCP web GUI displays.
  • the quicker LMS scans the media directories.
  • the more power is consumed.
  • the more heat is generated.

Other factors to consider:

  • Local or LMS format encoding/decoding (ie. DSD256/DSD512).
  • Local or LMS re-sampling.
  • LMS plugins used.
  • Number of players.
  • Number of players synchronised.
  • Size of music library.
  • File transfer speed.
  • USB devices.
  • 32-bit vs 64-bit.

Additional Hardware (optional)

  • Cases
  • Audio HATs
  • USB DACs
  • Screens

Power consumption considerations

More information

Jivelite
piCore
The Software and Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of condition, uninterrupted use, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
Raspberry Pi is a trademark of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.