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Which Raspberry Pi 4 is right for me?
Whilst choice is a wonderful thing, it might be a little confusing for new users to decide which version to buy, or what the differences are. In this article, we aim to help you to make an informed purchase and get the best value for money.
In order of price high to low (at the time of writing), let's take a look at the current line up of Raspberry Pi 4 boards. Don't forget that the Raspberry Pi 5 has now been released, so if you want even greater performance and don't mind the extra cost, that might be the best way to go.
Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB version)
The King Kong of Raspberry Pi 4, sporting a whopping 8GB of RAM and a powerful 1.8GHz (previously 1.5GHz) processor. It's also, of course, the most expensive Raspberry Pi 4 in the family.
Like all Raspberry Pi 4 versions, the 8GB option comes with the same great set of features - USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, dual micro-HDMI (4K), dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C power and much more.
The only difference between this version and the other Raspberry Pi 4 options is the amount of RAM. 8GB is a huge amount of memory, catering for the most demanding projects and applications.
New users, users with less-demanding projects, or those not using a display (headless) could save money opting for a lower memory version without losing any functionality. However, buying the 8GB model could be seen as a way of future-proofing yourself as you progress to more advanced projects with the Raspberry Pi.
Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB version)
The 4GB version of the Raspberry Pi 4 is the sweet spot between price and features. It's priced, as you'd expect, between the 2GB and 8GB versions.
The 4GB of RAM is still more than sufficient to run game emulators and other intensive applications, however won't quite have the grunt that the 8GB board offers. If you don't see a need for 8GB of RAM, save yourself some money and grab this all-round performer.
In terms of features, you'll get the same great functionality as the other Raspberry Pi 4 boards (USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, dual micro-HDMI (4K), dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C power + more) as well as the new 1.8GHz (previously 1.5GHz) processor.
Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB version)
The 2GB board is the cheapest option in the Raspberry Pi 4 line up.
It's a great way to grab all of the exciting new features that the Raspberry 4 offers (USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet, dual micro-HDMI (4K), dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C power + more) whilst spending as little of your hard-earned cash as possible.
The 2GB of RAM is still sufficient for graphical applications, web browsing and emulation, however performance won't reach the levels of the 4GB and 8GB variants. The processor is the same powerful 1.8GHz (previously 1.5GHz) processor found on the other Raspberry Pi 4 models.
A fantastic affordable option for new users or as an upgrade from a Raspberry Pi 3 B+.
Raspberry Pi 4 (1GB version)
The previously discontinued 1GB board made a comeback during the supply chain issues in 2021 as mentioned here in the official news post.
The 1GB board is now the most affordable in the line-up but at the cost of even less RAM to play with. All other specs are the same as the other variants.
Realistically you'd want to opt for a higher RAM model if you plan to use the desktop regularly, however for headless/remote projects, it's ideal!
Take your pick
The Raspberry Pi hasn't been released in different RAM flavours previously, however we hope this article helps to explain the differences between them - and crucially - how to avoid spending more than you need to for your particular needs/projects.
Don't forget that in terms of operating systems, peripherals, software and the GPIO, these Raspberry Pis will all work in the exact same way.
It's also worth mentioning that this article covers just the Raspberry Pi 4. The Raspberry Pi 4 can be considered both the perfect beginner board whilst also being a powerful option for experienced users - however, there's now the new Raspberry Pi 5 offering even greater performance, or the previous Raspberry Pi 3, ultra-affordable Raspberry Pi Zero and the slim Model 3A+ available.
2 comments
The Pi Hut
@Nick Prescott – a fair comment Nick. We’ve updated the article to include a link to the official news page for the 1.5GHz to 1.8GHz change, and also mention the new Raspberry Pi 5. Thanks for the heads up.
@Nick Prescott – a fair comment Nick. We’ve updated the article to include a link to the official news page for the 1.5GHz to 1.8GHz change, and also mention the new Raspberry Pi 5. Thanks for the heads up.
Nick Prescott
Just a note to tell you that it really is time to update this page,you are still referring to the processor on Pi4b as being 1.5 GH and no mention of the 1GH in which Pi to have .You do everything else very well on your website and I am sure I am not the only one to bring this to your attention,I never go to any other official RPI supplier ,you are a first division company get it right please !
Just a note to tell you that it really is time to update this page,you are still referring to the processor on Pi4b as being 1.5 GH and no mention of the 1GH in which Pi to have .You do everything else very well on your website and I am sure I am not the only one to bring this to your attention,I never go to any other official RPI supplier ,you are a first division company get it right please !