Super Single Board Computer - Raspberry Pi 3

Super Single Board Computer - Raspberry Pi 3

Raspberry Pi is a Single Board Computer, released on 29th February 2012 by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Their aim is to produce a low-cost computer board for education, especially for underdeveloped countries. This year, Raspberry Pi celebrates its 4th birthday (or should we say 1st birthday because 29th February only occurs every 4 years?). Anyway, the Foundation has announced the new model of Raspberry Pi model B, the Raspberry Pi 3 with huge processor upgrades and new features. Let's take a look.

 

Here is the comparison of the packaging box of Raspberry Pi 2 (left) and Raspberry Pi 3 (Right). It is very obvious which is which! So do not worry that you might get the wrong version of Raspberry Pi.

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Exact front view of the box of Raspberry Pi 2 vs Raspberry Pi 3.

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The back of the packaging box of Raspberry Pi 2 vs Raspberry Pi 3

 

Specifications: Raspberry Pi 3

  • SoC: Broadcom BCM2837

  • CPU: 4× ARM Cortex-A53, 1.2GHz

  • GPU: Broadcom VideoCore IV

  • RAM: 1GB LPDDR2 (900 MHz)

  • Networking: 10/100 Ethernet, 2.4GHz 802.11n wireless (WiFi)

  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.1 Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy

  • Storage: MicroSD card

  • GPIO: 40-pin header, populated

  • Ports: HDMI, 3.5mm analog audio-video jack, 4× USB 2.0, Ethernet, Camera Serial Interface (CSI), Display Serial Interface (DSI)

It has a similar IO interface to Raspberry Pi 2. Dimension is the same, it still remains all the:

  • 40-pin IO pin

  • microSD card socket (but it is not spring type)

  • 4 x USB port

  • 1 x Ethernet port

  • 1 x HDMI port

  • 1 x 3.5 analog audio-video jack

  • 1 x Camera Serial Interface (CSI)

  • 1 x Display Serial Interface (DSI)

As the dimension and all other IO interface ports are the same, the Raspberry Pi 2 casing will be compatible with Raspberry Pi 3.

Let's take a look at the improvements

Raspberry Pi 3 vs 2

Raspberry Pi 3 received a huge upgrade in processing power. From 32-bit (RPi 2) to 64-bit (RPi 3). Besides, RPi 2 is running at 900MHz, while Rpi 3 is running at 1.2GHz. I believe the 64-bit on Rpi 3 can only be utilized with the operating system, while Raspbian is yet 64-bit operating system (at the time I am writing this), but just looking at the system clock, Rpi 3 will outperform Rpi 2. 

There is another small modification on Rpi 3 compared to Rpi 2, the Power LED and Activity LED have been moved to the edge of the power input (USB Micro-B socket) on Rpi 3. The reason is to give way to the 2.4GHz antenna. There is another huge upgrade on Rpi 3, it is integrated with WiFi and Bluetooth. It uses a Broadcom BCM43438 chip that provides 2.4GHz 802.11n wireless LAN, Bluetooth Low Energy, and Bluetooth 4.1 Classic radio. At the time this article is written Raspbian supported WiFi, but not Bluetooth. I believe it is just a matter of time before Bluetooth is fully supported. 

With wireless connection support, Rpi 3 is designed for IoT development. Of course, you can always use it for an Internet connection.

If you want to know the upgrades of Raspberry Pi 3 in-depth, here are the details from the official Raspberry Pi website: 

Raspberry Pi: Benchmark, Spec and More!

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