Raspberry Pi 5: Complete Developer Guide (2026)
The Raspberry Pi 5 is the most powerful single-board computer for developers, makers, and learners. Here's everything you need to know.
What is Raspberry Pi 5?
Released in 2023, the Raspberry Pi 5 is the latest generation of the world's most popular single-board computer. With significant upgrades over the Pi 4, it's a full Linux computer the size of a credit card.
Key Specifications
- Processor: Broadcom BCM2712 (quad-core Cortex-A76 @ 2.4GHz)
- RAM: 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4X-4267
- Graphics: VideoCore VII GPU, OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2
- Connectivity: Dual-band WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit Ethernet
- USB: 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0
- Display: 2x micro-HDMI (4K60 output)
- GPIO: 40-pin header for hardware projects
- Power: 5V/5A via USB-C
What Can You Build with Raspberry Pi 5?
1. Home Server & Self-Hosting
- Media Server: Plex, Jellyfin for streaming your media library
- NAS: Network-attached storage with Samba or NextCloud
- Git Server: Host your own private repositories with Gitea
- Web Server: Run websites, APIs, or web apps 24/7
- VPN Server: WireGuard or OpenVPN for secure remote access
2. Development & Learning
- Learn Linux: Full Debian-based OS (Raspberry Pi OS)
- Docker Playground: Test containers and microservices
- CI/CD Server: Run Jenkins or GitLab Runner
- Database Server: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB
- Python Development: Pre-installed, perfect for scripting
3. IoT & Hardware Projects
- Home Automation: Control lights, sensors, cameras with Home Assistant
- Weather Station: Collect and visualize environmental data
- Robotics: Build autonomous robots with GPIO sensors
- Smart Display: Dashboard for metrics, calendar, news
- Security Camera: MotionEyeOS for surveillance
4. Retro Gaming & Entertainment
- RetroPie: Play classic games from NES, SNES, PlayStation
- Kodi Media Center: 4K streaming box
- Spotify Connect: Network music player
Why Raspberry Pi 5 Over Pi 4?
| Feature | Raspberry Pi 4 | Raspberry Pi 5 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Speed | 1.5 GHz | 2.4 GHz (60% faster) |
| GPU | VideoCore VI | VideoCore VII (Vulkan 1.2) |
| RAM Speed | LPDDR4-3200 | LPDDR4X-4267 (33% faster) |
| PCIe | No | Yes (M.2 SSD support) |
| Power Button | No | Yes (soft shutdown) |
| Real-Time Clock | No | Yes (with battery) |
Getting Started: First Steps
What You'll Need
- Raspberry Pi 5 board (4GB or 8GB recommended)
- Power Supply (official 27W USB-C adapter)
- MicroSD Card (32GB+ Class 10/UHS-I)
- Case (for cooling and protection)
- Keyboard, mouse, monitor (for initial setup)
Quick Setup Guide
- Download Raspberry Pi Imager: https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/
- Flash OS: Write Raspberry Pi OS to your microSD card
- Boot: Insert SD card, connect HDMI, keyboard, power
- Configure: Follow on-screen setup (WiFi, locale, password)
- Update: Run
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade - Start Building!
Performance Benchmarks
- Sysbench CPU: ~3x faster than Pi 4
- Geekbench 5: Single-core: 630, Multi-core: 1800
- 4K Video: Smooth playback @ 60fps
- Compile Time: Linux kernel compile ~50% faster
Common Use Cases for Developers
As a Development Server
# Install Node.js
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs
# Install Docker
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh
# Install Git
sudo apt install git
# Run a web server
npx http-server -p 8080As a Network Monitor
# Install Grafana + InfluxDB
sudo apt install grafana influxdb
# Monitor network with ntopng
sudo apt install ntopng
# Access dashboard at http://raspberry-pi-ip:3000Power Consumption & Cost
- Idle: ~3W (~£4/year at UK electricity rates)
- Load: ~12W (~£16/year)
- Initial Cost: £50-100 depending on kit
- vs Cloud: A £5/month VPS costs £60/year - Pi pays for itself in ~1 year
8GB vs 4GB: Which Should You Buy?
Choose 8GB if:
- Running Docker containers with multiple services
- Using as a desktop replacement
- Heavy compilation or data processing
- Running VMs or Kubernetes
Choose 4GB if:
- Learning Linux and basic projects
- Single web server or media server
- IoT/hardware projects with sensors
- Budget-conscious
Recommendation: Get the 8GB model. The £20 difference is worth the headroom, especially for running multiple Docker containers or development environments.
Recommended Starter Kit
Instead of buying components separately, a complete starter kit includes everything you need: Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB), official power supply, heat sinks/fan, case, SD card, and HDMI cable.
→ View Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit on Amazon (8GB)
Limitations & Considerations
- Not for: High-performance gaming, 4K video editing, heavy AI training
- ARM Architecture: Some x86 software won't run (though most has ARM builds)
- Storage Speed: MicroSD is slower than SSD (but you can boot from NVMe with adapter)
- Active Cooling: Recommended for sustained high loads
Final Verdict
The Raspberry Pi 5 is the best single-board computer for developers in 2026. It's:
- Fast enough for real development work
- Affordable compared to cloud hosting
- Versatile - from servers to robotics
- Educational - learn Linux, networking, hardware
- Community-supported - millions of tutorials and projects
Whether you're learning to code, self-hosting services, or building IoT projects, the Pi 5 is an excellent investment.