The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5) is a compact system-on-module built around Raspberry Pi 5 hardware, not a complete computer you can use on its own. To make a working prototype, pair it with a compatible carrier board—such as Raspberry Pi’s CM5 IO Board—which supplies connectors and access to the module’s interfaces. That distinction matters when you budget, choose a configuration or plan a CM4 migration.
What is the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5?
Raspberry Pi announced CM5 on 27 November 2024 as the modular version of the Raspberry Pi 5 single-board computer. It is intended for developers and product designers building embedded products: the module carries the core computing hardware, while a carrier board connects it to the ports and other circuitry a particular product requires. Raspberry Pi describes the broader Compute Module family as suitable for applications including digital signage, thin clients and process automation. Raspberry Pi’s launch announcement quoted the company’s estimate that “between seventy and eighty percent” of its units go into industrial and embedded applications; that is a company-reported figure, not an independent industry study.
The module measures 55 × 40 × 4.7 mm and has four M2.5 mounting holes. Two high-density 100-pin connectors link it to the carrier. A custom carrier can be designed around a finished product’s needs, while the official IO Board exposes interfaces for development and can serve as a reference design. See Raspberry Pi’s Compute Module documentation for the module-and-carrier model.
CM5 specifications and configuration choices
CM5 uses a Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4 GHz. Buyers select memory, onboard storage and wireless capability when choosing a module. The current CM5 product page lists these options and capabilities:
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
| Feature | CM5 options or capability |
|---|---|
| Memory | 2GB, 4GB, 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4-4267 SDRAM with ECC |
| Onboard storage | 0GB (Lite), 16GB, 32GB or 64GB eMMC; Lite modules support SDIO 2.0 |
| Wireless | Optional dual-band 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0/BLE; wireless versions offer a PCB trace or external antenna option |
| Network and expansion | Gigabit Ethernet with IEEE 1588 support; PCIe Gen 2 x1; USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 interfaces; up to 30 GPIO |
| Video and camera/display | Two HDMI 2.0 outputs supporting up to 4Kp60 simultaneously; two four-lane MIPI ports for DSI displays or CSI-2 cameras; 4Kp60 HEVC decoding |
| Graphics | OpenGL ES 3.1 and Vulkan 1.3 |
“Lite” means there is no onboard eMMC; it does not mean the module is unusable. It supports SDIO 2.0, and the IO Board includes a microSD socket for Lite modules. Decide whether your product should boot from onboard eMMC or use another storage approach before settling on a configuration. Likewise, wireless is optional, and the antenna choice affects physical placement in the finished enclosure.
Is Compute Module 5 compatible with CM4?
CM5 is mechanically compatible with CM4, but that does not guarantee an existing carrier board or product design will work unchanged. Raspberry Pi calls out pin-out and electrical-behavior differences, including the removal of two two-lane MIPI interfaces and the addition of USB 3.0 interfaces. Check the CM5 launch announcement, current product documentation and the carrier-board design before treating CM5 as a drop-in replacement.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Software also needs attention. Raspberry Pi’s Compute Module documentation says a CM4-to-CM5 transition requires updated device-tree support and kernel drivers. Its stated baseline is Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm or later, kernel 6.12.x or later, and firmware dated 10 March 2025 or later. Confirm the current migration guidance for your particular operating system and drivers before deployment.
There is no independent performance benchmark in the cited official CM5 material comparing it with CM4, so the specifications alone should not be treated as a measured estimate of application speedup. Validate the actual workload on the target hardware and software stack.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How to prototype with a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5
For a quick prototype, use the official IO Board; for a product, use a custom carrier that exposes only the connections and circuitry the design needs. The IO Board breaks out module interfaces and includes an M.2 M-key PCIe socket, a microSD socket for Lite modules, an RTC battery socket and a fan connector. It requires a separate USB-C power supply.
- Choose the module configuration. Match RAM, eMMC and wireless options to the prototype’s workload, boot-storage plan and enclosure.
- Choose a carrier. Use the IO Board to access interfaces during development, or design a compatible custom carrier for a product-specific layout. Check connector, pin-out and electrical requirements against the CM5 documentation.
- Plan power, cooling and antenna placement. The module can warm under load. Raspberry Pi’s dedicated cooler is a finned aluminium heatsink with thermal pads; wireless modules include an onboard PCB antenna and UFL connector, and the Raspberry Pi Antenna Kit is listed as compatible. These accessories depend on workload and placement rather than being mandatory for every design.
- Bring up the software stack. Use a supported OS, kernel, firmware and device-tree configuration, updating drivers where needed for CM5 interfaces.
- Test the complete system. Verify the ports, storage, wireless performance, thermal behavior and software in the intended carrier and enclosure before committing to production.
The current Raspberry Pi Development Kit page lists a wireless CM5 with 4GB RAM and 64GB eMMC, the IO Board, IO case, cooler, antenna kit, 27W USB Type-C PD supply, HDMI cables and a USB-A-to-USB-C cable. Kit configuration can vary by region, so check the contents offered where you are buying.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
CM5 price, availability and production horizon
Raspberry Pi’s 27 November 2024 launch announcement gave a starting price of $45. The current CM5 product page lists availability from $67.50. Those are different dated price references, not a like-for-like guarantee: check the current regional listing and the exact RAM, eMMC and wireless configuration when buying. Raspberry Pi’s product page says CM5 will remain in production until at least January 2036.
When CM5 makes sense—and when a complete product may be simpler
CM5 is a fit when a designer wants Raspberry Pi hardware in a custom embedded system and needs control over the carrier’s connectors, mechanical layout or integration. Raspberry Pi named KUNBUS and TBS among companies announcing CM5-based products at launch; its current product page highlights RevPi Connect 5 for automation and IIoT, and TBS One-Box.tv Pro 25 as a rackmount compact server. These packaged products may be worth considering when their existing form factor and feature set meet the requirement, but verify current availability and specifications with their manufacturers.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
- Choose an IO Board or Development Kit when you need an accessible way to prototype and exercise interfaces.
- Choose a custom carrier when product dimensions, connectors or integration requirements call for a purpose-built board.
- Consider a packaged CM5-based product when a ready-made industrial or server design better suits the deployment than developing your own carrier.
Raspberry Pi’s launch post describes the goal this way: “Compute Modules make it easier than ever for embedded customers to build custom products which benefit from our enormous investments in the Raspberry Pi hardware and software platform.” That is the company’s rationale for the product; whether CM5 is the right choice depends on carrier compatibility, software work, thermal design and the total cost of the prototype.
Quick Recap
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.
