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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRaspberry Pi has revised the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B’s circuit board to accommodate a second LPDDR4 memory chip. The company says the change gives it more flexibility in sourcing memory; it is not a user-installable RAM upgrade, and buyers cannot choose whether a board has one or two chips.
The change arrives amid Raspberry Pi’s published reports of sharply higher memory costs. On 1 April 2026, the company said LPDDR4 prices used in the Pi 4 and Pi 5 had risen seven-fold over the previous year. On 1 October 2026, it announced a $12.50 increase for the 2GB Pi 4, bringing its stated price to $67.50. Those are Raspberry Pi’s dated announcements, not independent market measurements or guaranteed retailer prices.
What changed on the Raspberry Pi 4 board?
Raspberry Pi Product Change Notice 45 describes a PCB update for the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. The new board can carry a second DRAM device on its underside, alongside the original memory placement on the front. The notice identifies the earlier PCB revision as 9, the new revision as 13a, and the new software model number as 1.5.
Raspberry Pi’s stated reason is “Dual DRAM device variant to allow DRAM supply chain flexibility.” The change also permits intrusive reflow soldering during manufacturing. The company says it has tested and qualified alternative memory parts that closely match the original parts in specification and performance; that is the manufacturer’s account, not an independently published comparison.
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- Broadcom BCM2711, Quad core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz
- 1GB, 2GB, 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM (depending on model)
- 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11ac wireless, Bluetooth 5.0, BLE Gigabit Ethernet
- 2 USB 3.0 ports; 2 USB 2.0 ports.
- Raspberry Pi standard 40 pin GPIO header (fully backwards compatible with previous boards)
Is this a RAM upgrade you can install?
No. The second chip is a production option on a revised PCB, not a supported upgrade for an owner to add. The placement is part of the board design and manufacturing process.
Raspberry Pi expects both single-chip and dual-chip boards to be produced. Either layout may appear in any RAM-capacity SKU, so the chip count is not a selectable retail feature. When shopping, choose the capacity your project needs and compare the actual price and availability in your region; do not pay extra for a purportedly selectable “dual RAM” version.
Rank #2
- Includes Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Model B with 1.5GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU (4GB RAM)
- Includes Pre-Loaded 32GB EVO+ Micro SD Card (Class 10), USB MicroSD Card Reader
- CanaKit Premium High-Gloss Raspberry Pi 4 Case with Integrated Fan Mount, CanaKit Low Noise Bearing System Fan
- CanaKit 3.5A USB-C Raspberry Pi 4 Power Supply (US Plug) with Noise Filter, Set of Heat Sinks, Display Cable - 6 foot (Supports up to 4K60p)
- CanaKit USB-C PiSwitch (On/Off Power Switch for Raspberry Pi 4)
How to identify the revised board
With current Raspberry Pi OS, a running board on the new revision reports Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Rev 1.5 as its Model in /proc/cpuinfo. The extra DRAM device is on the underside of the PCB. The change notice also says “2025” is silk-screened on the front of the board.
Firmware support for the revised board begins with versions released from 17 May 2026 onward. If you are using older firmware and encounter an issue identifying or booting the board, update to a supported firmware version before treating the hardware as faulty.
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Rank #3
- Includes Raspberry Pi 4 4GB Model B with 1.5GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU (4GB RAM)
- CanaKit 3.5A USB-C Power Supply with Noise Filter (UL Listed) specially designed for the Raspberry Pi 4 (5-foot cable)
- CanaKit USB-C PiSwitch (On/Off Power Switch)
- Set of 3 Aluminum Heat Sinks for the Raspberry Pi 4
Should two chips perform differently?
James Hughes, a Raspberry Pi principal software engineer, predicted in comments reported by Hackster that “On average, performance is the same, or at least, so close that it make no real difference except in pathological benchmarks.” That is an attributed expectation, not the result of a published comparative benchmark dataset. The available material does not establish a measured performance difference between retail single-chip and dual-chip boards.
For ordinary purchase decisions, the RAM capacity and the project’s requirements matter more than whether the board uses one memory package or two. Raspberry Pi does not offer the layout as a buyer choice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the revision fits the 2026 memory-price changes
Raspberry Pi said on 1 April 2026 that LPDDR4 DRAM used in the Pi 4 and Pi 5 had increased seven-fold in price over the preceding year. In that same announcement, Raspberry Pi listed a new 3GB Pi 4 at $83.75. On 1 October 2026, it announced that the 2GB Pi 4 price would rise by $12.50 to $67.50.
These figures are Raspberry Pi-published announcements with specific dates. They should not be read as a current quote from a particular retailer, a universal price in every country, or evidence that the second-chip layout will reduce the price of a Pi 4. The company has not quantified a manufacturing saving from the revised board or tied the revision to a retail reduction. Its stated rationale is supply flexibility, and its announcements describe memory-cost pressure; they do not establish that AI demand alone caused the price changes.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Broadcom BCM2711, quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1. 5GHz
- 2. 4 GHz and 5. 0 GHz IEEE 802. 11b/g/n/ac wireless LAN, Bluetooth 5. 0, BLE
- 2 × USB 3. 0 ports, 2 x USB 2. 0 Ports
- 2 × micro HDMI ports supproting up to 4Kp60 video resolution
- Micro SD card slot for loading operating system and data storage
What to check before buying
- Choose capacity, not chip layout. Raspberry Pi’s product page lists 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB Pi 4 variants; the board layout is not a selectable option.
- Compare regional totals. Check the complete price and availability where you live, rather than assuming Raspberry Pi’s announced dollar price is the retailer price you will pay.
- Use an approved reseller. Raspberry Pi directs customers to approved resellers.
- Plan for setup. Raspberry Pi lists a 15W USB-C power supply and a microSD card with Raspberry Pi OS among the setup requirements.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
