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The 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 gives memory-hungry workloads more room, including local large language models (LLMs)—but extra RAM does not, by itself, make inference fast. Raspberry Pi announced the board on 9 January 2025 at a $120 launch list price; its manufacturer list price became $145 effective 1 December 2025. Whether an LLM is usable depends on more than capacity, and Raspberry Pi has not published a task-specific LLM benchmark for this board.
What can you do with a 16GB Raspberry Pi 5?
The headline change is capacity: the 16GB configuration can accommodate workloads that need more system memory than the earlier Pi 5 configurations provide. Raspberry Pi said the extra memory could help applications such as LLMs and computational fluid dynamics. That is a statement about potential workloads, not a measured result for a particular model.
More memory can help a model and its runtime fit in RAM, but it does not add processing cores or a dedicated AI accelerator. The 16GB board retains the Pi 5 platform: a 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 CPU, VideoCore VII GPU, and 32-bit LPDDR4X memory subsystem running at 4267MT/s, according to Raspberry Pi’s September 2023 launch description. Inference speed also depends on the model, quantization, software support, compute hardware and workload.
Raspberry Pi author Eben Upton explained the company’s rationale in the 16GB announcement: “the threefold step up in performance between Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 opens up use cases like large language models and computational fluid dynamics, which benefit from having more storage per core.” This is the manufacturer’s rationale for offering more RAM, not a reported benchmark of LLM inference on the 16GB board.
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- Includes Raspberry Pi 5 16GB with 2.4Ghz 64-bit quad-core CPU (16GB RAM)
- Includes 128GB Micro SD Card pre-loaded with 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS, USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Turbine Black Case for the Raspberry Pi 5
- CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- Mega Heat Sink - Black Anodized
Can a Raspberry Pi 5 run an LLM?
It can be used for local LLM workloads, but the question is which model and software can run acceptably on the configuration you choose. The 16GB version provides more host memory headroom than smaller-memory Pi 5 models. The official announcement does not specify compatible models, latency, throughput or tokens per second, so there is no substantiated performance figure to use as a general expectation.
A model that fits in memory is not necessarily responsive: available compute and the inference software matter too. Treat “can run” as a question of workload fit and acceptable performance, not a promise that the Pi will match a desktop GPU or a cloud-hosted model.
Is 16GB enough to run an LLM locally?
There is no single yes-or-no answer because memory needs vary by model, precision or quantization, runtime and the rest of the operating system’s workload. Sixteen gigabytes can make a larger or more memory-demanding workload feasible than a lower-memory configuration, but the Raspberry Pi announcement does not establish a universal model-size limit for CPU-side inference on the board.
Rank #2
- iRasptek Performance Kit: Featuring a cutting-edge 16GB LPDDR4X RAM, this iRasptek Pi 5 kit offers multitasking capabilities. Ideal for projects such as AI applications, virtualization, software development, and 4K media playback. The Cortex-A76 quad-core processor with 2.4GHz clock speed ensures smooth and efficient operation.
- Pre-installed with 64-bit the latest version OS: Just Plug & Play! The latest release OS（ Bookworm） is optimized for the Pi5, offering exceptional desktop performance for work, leisure, enterprise, and beyond.
- High power transmission: iRasptek 27W USB-C Power Supply is an ideal power supply for Pi 5, especially for users who wish to drive high-power peripherals such as hard drives and SSDs from Pi5's four Type A USB ports. Additional built-in power profiles mean iRasptek 27W USB-C Power Supply is also an excellent option for powering third-party PD-compatible products. The available profiles are 9V, 3A; 12V, 2.25A; and 15V, 1.8A, all limited to a maximum of 27W.
- High-Quality Metal Case: metal case made of high-quality aluminum alloy, with good durability and strength, the upper cover is fixed by the screws, the base of the motherboard by four screws articulation, can effectively absorb external shocks and vibrations, provides double insurance, the case is equipped with a transparent power button, you can easily observe the status of the Pi5 power indicator.
- iRasptek Active Cooler: The active cooler is composed of anodized heat-conducting aluminum with a PWM fan, which has excellent thermal conductivity and is able to quickly conduct heat away from the Pi5 motherboard, effectively lowering the temperature and maintaining a stable operating temperature.
Do not read the 16GB figure as a guarantee of fast generation, or confuse it with the memory on an accelerator add-on. If your goal is specifically accelerated generative AI, Raspberry Pi documents a separate option: AI HAT+ 2.
How does the AI HAT+ 2 differ from the 16GB Pi 5?
The 16GB Pi 5 uses system RAM alongside its CPU and GPU. The AI HAT+ 2 is an optional add-on with a Hailo-10H NPU, its own 8GB of RAM and a manufacturer-stated 40 TOPS INT4 figure. Raspberry Pi’s documentation says the HAT supports local LLM and vision-language model (VLM) workloads up to approximately six billion parameters. That capability applies to the HAT and its supported software stack; it is not a model-size claim for the Pi 5’s 16GB host RAM alone.
| Option | Memory and compute | Software and workload notes | Price context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5, 16GB | 16GB system memory; 2.4GHz quad-core Cortex-A76 CPU and VideoCore VII GPU, per Raspberry Pi’s 2023 platform description. | General Pi 5 computing platform; the reviewed official sources do not give an LLM compatibility table or measured inference benchmark. | Raspberry Pi’s manufacturer list price was $145 effective 1 December 2025; it is not a guaranteed retailer checkout price in every market. See the December 2025 price revision. |
| Pi 5 with AI HAT+ 2 | Hailo-10H NPU, 40 TOPS INT4 and dedicated 8GB RAM, according to Raspberry Pi’s AI HAT documentation and product page. | Raspberry Pi says it supports local LLM/VLM workloads up to approximately six billion parameters. Setup requires a Raspberry Pi 5, 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS (Trixie) and the Hailo software stack, as described in the AI software documentation. Raspberry Pi says the original AI HAT+ supports vision models, not LLMs. | The AI HAT+ 2 product page listed $200 when accessed on 4 October 2026; price and availability can change. This is the add-on price, not a combined Pi-and-HAT total. |
Raspberry Pi’s launch examples for AI HAT+ 2 use local models and note that edge models are much smaller than cloud models. The HAT is therefore a route to supported local inference, not evidence that a Pi can reproduce the capabilities of a large cloud model. The quoted TOPS figure also cannot be used to infer CPU-side performance or compare end-to-end LLM speed: the reviewed official sources do not provide a task-matched benchmark between these options.
Rank #3
- Welcome to the latest generation of Pi 5: the everything computer. Featuring a 64-bit quad-core Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz, RPi 5 delivers a 2–3× increase in CPU performance relative to Pi 4. Alongside a substantial uplift in graphics performance from an 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU; dual 4Kp60 display output over HD; and state-of-the-art camera support from a rearchitected RPi Image Signal Processor, it provides a smooth desktop experience for consumers, and opens the door to new applications for industrial customers.
- Pre-installed with 64-bit RPi OS: Just Plug & Play! The latest release of Pi OS is optimized for the Pi 5, offering exceptional desktop performance for work, leisure, enterprise, and beyond.
- iRasptek 27W USB-C Power Supply for Raspberry Pi 5: The iRasptek 27W USB-C power supply features a multi-protection design that is ideal for stabilizing the power supply and providing long-lasting durability for the Pi 5. Utilizing a high carrying capacity and high transmission UL2725 17AWG pure copper 3-core cable, it provides excellent power to the Pi 5's four Type A USB ports driving high power peripherals such as hard disks and SSDs.
- High-Quality Metal Case: Pi 5 metal case made of high-quality aluminum alloy, with good durability and strength, the upper cover is fixed by the screws, the base of the motherboard by four screws articulation, can effectively absorb external shocks and vibrations, to the Pi 5 provides double insurance, the case is equipped with a transparent power button, you can easily observe the status of the Pi 5 power indicator.
- iRasptek Active Cooler: The active cooler is composed of anodized heat-conducting aluminum with a PWM fan, which has excellent thermal conductivity and is able to quickly conduct heat away from the Pi 5 motherboard, effectively lowering the temperature and maintaining a stable operating temperature.
How much does the 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 cost?
Raspberry Pi announced the 16GB board at a $120 manufacturer list price on 9 January 2025. That was the original launch price, not the later list price. In a revision effective 1 December 2025, Raspberry Pi listed the 16GB configuration at $145. Retailer pricing, taxes and availability vary by market, so check the price where you plan to buy rather than treating either dated manufacturer figure as a guaranteed checkout total.
What changed to make a 16GB Pi 5 possible?
In its announcement, Raspberry Pi attributed the higher capacity to an optimized D0 stepping of the Broadcom BCM2712 processor that supports memories above 8GB, paired with a single Micron package containing eight 16Gbit LPDDR4X dies. The memory is part of the board’s hardware configuration; it is not a user-upgradable RAM module.
What should you plan for a sustained workload?
Raspberry Pi says typical client workloads can run uncased without active cooling. For continuous heavy use without throttling, it offers an optional Active Cooler. A 27W USB-C power supply is suggested for high-power USB peripherals such as hard drives and SSDs; it is not stated as a requirement for ordinary local LLM use. Cooling and power needs depend on how the board and peripherals are used, so these accessories should not be treated as mandatory solely because the board has 16GB RAM.
Quick Recap
Which option makes sense for your project?
- Choose the 16GB board for memory headroom. It is the straightforward option when your workload needs more system RAM and you want a general-purpose Pi 5. Do not expect the capacity increase alone to guarantee faster inference.
- Consider AI HAT+ 2 for its supported accelerated workloads. It adds separate NPU hardware and dedicated memory, but also requires the relevant Hailo software stack and a compatible Pi 5 setup.
- Compare the full setup, not just RAM figures. Account for board and add-on cost, software and model support, power and cooling needs, and whether your actual task is general CPU-side inference or Hailo-accelerated inference.
- Look for a benchmark of your exact workload. Raspberry Pi’s cited materials establish capacity and manufacturer-stated capabilities, but do not provide a comparative, task-specific LLM throughput test for the 16GB Pi 5 versus AI HAT+ 2.
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