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Short answer: Choose the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5) when your carrier design needs documented PCIe, USB 3.0, dual 4Kp60 HDMI, two four-lane MIPI interfaces, or Gigabit Ethernet. Choose the Banana Pi BPI-CM7 when its Allwinner H618 platform, integrated Wi-Fi 5/Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI output, 10/100 Ethernet, and USB 2.0 layout fit your product.
They are not drop-in replacements. Both modules use two 100-pin board-to-board connectors, but connector count does not prove matching pin assignments, voltage levels, or electrical behavior. Raspberry Pi documents limited cross-generation use between CM4 and CM5 carriers; the sources for BPI-CM7 document a dedicated BPI-CM7IO, not interchangeability with Raspberry Pi boards.
What the two compute modules are
A compute module is the processor, memory, storage option, and high-speed interfaces of an embedded computer, presented as a board-to-board module rather than a complete desktop-style single-board computer. You normally install it on a carrier (also called an IO board) that supplies connectors, power circuitry, storage sockets, displays, cameras, and application-specific peripherals.
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Raspberry Pi’s CM5 uses Broadcom’s BCM2712 and is documented in the CM5 datasheet. Raspberry Pi also describes its IO board as a development and prototyping platform and as a reference for custom carrier designs in its Compute Module hardware documentation.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE KIT: Development kit includes Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, IO Board, protective case, cooling system, antenna kit, power supply, and essential HDMI/USB cables
- POWERFUL PROCESSOR: Features BCM2712 64-bit processor with ARM Cortex-A76 architecture for high-performance computing capabilities
- DEVELOPMENT READY: IO Board provides comprehensive connectivity options including HDMI and USB ports for versatile prototyping and embedded solutions
- THERMAL MANAGEMENT: Includes dedicated cooler and heatsink system to maintain optimal operating temperatures during development
- CONNECTIVITY: Comes with antenna kit and multiple USB/HDMI cables for immediate setup and testing of wireless applications
Banana Pi’s BPI-CM7 is based on Allwinner’s H618. Banana Pi documents its electrical interfaces and module options on the BPI-CM7 hardware page and identifies a purpose-built carrier, the BPI-CM7IO. A module without a compatible carrier is not a practical, connector-ready computer.
Core specifications at a glance
| Specification | Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 | Banana Pi BPI-CM7 |
|---|---|---|
| System-on-chip | Broadcom BCM2712 | Allwinner H618 |
| CPU | Quad-core Arm Cortex-A76, 2.4 GHz | Quad-core Arm Cortex-A53, up to 1.5 GHz |
| GPU information in cited specification | Not separately stated in the cited summary | Arm Mali-G31 |
| Module dimensions | 55 × 40 × 4.7 mm | Not stated on the cited BPI-CM7 specification page |
| RAM choices | 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, or 16 GB | LPDDR4; capacity depends on the product model, with no capacities enumerated on the cited page |
| eMMC choices | 0 GB (Lite), 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB | Capacity depends on the product model; the cited page does not enumerate capacities |
| Display output | Two HDMI 2.0 outputs, up to 4Kp60 simultaneously | HDMI output; resolution and multi-output details are not specified in the cited summary |
| Camera/display interfaces | Two four-lane MIPI ports, each supporting DSI or CSI-2 | GPIO and peripheral interfaces are listed; an equivalent two-port, four-lane MIPI specification is not stated on the cited summary |
| USB | Two USB 3.0 ports and one USB 2.0 port | One USB 2.0 OTG port and three USB 2.0 host ports |
| Expansion | PCIe Gen 2 ×1 host | No PCIe host is listed in the cited BPI-CM7 summary |
| Ethernet | Gigabit Ethernet PHY | 10/100 Ethernet |
| Wireless | Optional certified radio module | K019 Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 module |
| Carrier documented by vendor | CM5 IO Board (CM5IO); Raspberry Pi also documents CM4IO/CM5 cross-generation cases with reduced functionality | BPI-CM7IO |
All quantities in this table are vendor specifications, not independent benchmark measurements. The Raspberry Pi values come from the CM5 datasheet; Banana Pi values come from its BPI-CM7 documentation.
Processor class: what the specifications do and do not tell you
CM5’s Cortex-A76 platform
The BCM2712 in CM5 has four Cortex-A76 cores specified at 2.4 GHz. Cortex-A76 is a newer, higher-performance Arm core class than Cortex-A53. That makes CM5 the more natural specification-based fit for workloads that need substantial single-thread CPU work, modern peripheral bandwidth, or several demanding services at once.
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BPI-CM7 uses four Cortex-A53 cores listed at up to 1.5 GHz, with a Mali-G31 GPU. “Up to” is a ceiling in the vendor specification, not a guaranteed sustained speed under every thermal or power condition. Its suitability depends on the software image, cooling, memory configuration, and the workload you intend to run.
These core names and clock rates are not a benchmark. The cited manufacturer pages do not provide a controlled, independent comparison of application performance, graphics throughput, thermals, or power draw. Do not declare a speed winner from the frequencies alone; validate the exact workload on the selected module and carrier.
Memory and storage configurations
CM5 ordering choices
Raspberry Pi lists four RAM capacities for CM5: 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB. Storage can be selected as 0 GB eMMC (the Lite variant), 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB. These are separate configuration choices, so the module part number matters when you design the boot and update process.
BPI-CM7 model dependence
Banana Pi identifies LPDDR4 memory and eMMC on BPI-CM7, but states that capacities depend on the product model without enumerating those capacities on the cited page. Obtain the exact module ordering code and its memory/eMMC values before setting image sizes, partition layouts, endurance expectations, or field-update requirements.
For either platform, decide early whether the product boots from onboard eMMC, a microSD card on the carrier, network storage, or another device. A carrier can expose different boot paths than the module’s onboard storage, and changing the storage plan late can require a board revision.
Display, camera, and graphics connectivity
CM5: dual HDMI and two four-lane MIPI ports
CM5 specifies two HDMI 2.0 outputs capable of driving 4Kp60 simultaneously. It also provides two four-lane MIPI ports; each can be used for DSI display or CSI-2 camera connectivity. A custom carrier can therefore place two camera connectors, two display connectors, or a mixed camera/display arrangement, subject to the carrier’s routing, power, connector, and software design.
BPI-CM7: HDMI plus general peripheral interfaces
BPI-CM7 documentation lists HDMI output and GPIO/peripheral interfaces. The cited specification does not establish dual 4Kp60 output or an equivalent two-port, four-lane MIPI arrangement. If your product depends on a particular camera sensor, display timing, multi-screen layout, or hardware-accelerated video path, confirm that support in the exact BPI-CM7 image and carrier documentation rather than assuming feature parity.
USB, PCIe, and expansion
CM5’s high-speed expansion profile
The CM5 specification includes two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, and a PCIe Gen 2 ×1 host. Those interfaces are significant when the carrier must connect fast external storage, machine-vision equipment, USB networking, acquisition hardware, or a PCIe peripheral. The carrier still has to route the signals correctly and provide the required power and signal integrity.
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BPI-CM7 lists one USB 2.0 OTG interface and three USB 2.0 host ports. This is a useful port count for keyboards, control peripherals, low-bandwidth sensors, and ordinary USB accessories, but it is a different expansion profile from CM5. The cited BPI-CM7 summary does not list a PCIe host. Select it only after checking that your peripherals do not require USB 3.x or PCIe bandwidth.
Networking and wireless
CM5 has a Gigabit Ethernet PHY and an optional certified radio module. “Optional” means the wireless capability is tied to the module configuration and certification strategy; it should not be treated as present on every CM5 variant. Your carrier and enclosure must also account for antenna placement and any regional certification work.
Rank #2
- Upgraded processor BCM2712, quad-core Cortex-A76 64-bit SoC, more powerful performance
- Faster eMMC Flash storage, up to 200 Mbps data rate
- Adopts B to B connectors, most compatible with Compute Module 4
- Onboard Gigabit Ethernet PHY supporting IEEE1588, suitable for network applications
- Onboard PCIe Gen 2 x1 interface, allows connecting more useful modules
BPI-CM7 documentation specifies a K019 Wi-Fi 5/Bluetooth 5.0 module and 10/100 Ethernet. That integrated wireless option may simplify a connected product when the documented radio meets its range, regulatory, and throughput requirements. Its Fast Ethernet interface is, however, a lower nominal link speed than CM5’s Gigabit Ethernet PHY.
Can you use the same carrier board?
Not on the evidence available here. The two products share two 100-pin board-to-board connectors, but that fact alone does not establish compatible pinouts, voltage levels, signal direction, boot behavior, or mechanical orientation.
What Raspberry Pi explicitly documents
Raspberry Pi’s Compute Module hardware documentation lists these cross-generation cases:
- CM5 can be used with CM4IO, with reduced functionality.
- CM4 can be used with CM5IO, with reduced functionality.
The documentation also notes that CM5 uses the CM4 form factor, while its principal pinout change supports two USB 3.0 ports. The compatibility rows apply to Raspberry Pi’s own CM4 and CM5 IO boards; they do not imply compatibility with a BPI-CM7 carrier.
What Banana Pi documents
Banana Pi identifies a dedicated BPI-CM7IO on its BPI-CM7IO documentation page. The BPI-CM7 hardware page identifies two 100-pin connectors, but the reviewed documentation does not state that a Raspberry Pi CM4IO or CM5IO accepts BPI-CM7, or that BPI-CM7IO accepts either Raspberry Pi module.
Practical compatibility rule
Use a carrier only when the vendor or a board designer provides a matching pinout and electrical design statement, or when you have independently validated the complete design. Treat an unverified mating connector as incompatible until proven otherwise.
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Carrier-board checks before a prototype
Whether you choose CM5 or BPI-CM7, check the module and carrier as one system:
- Match the exact mechanical drawing. Verify 100-pin connector orientation, keep-outs, module thickness, mounting holes, and enclosure clearance.
- Compare every pin assignment. Map power, ground, USB, Ethernet, display, camera, storage, boot, GPIO, and high-speed lanes. Do not rely on connector numbering alone.
- Confirm voltage levels. Check I/O voltage, pull-ups, reset signals, and any level shifting for attached peripherals.
- Review power delivery. Size the carrier’s regulators, input connector, decoupling, and protection for the selected RAM, eMMC, radio, USB loads, and peak startup current.
- Plan boot and recovery. Decide how eMMC or microSD is programmed, how a failed update is recovered, and whether test points are available on production boards.
- Validate high-speed routing. USB 3.0, PCIe, HDMI, MIPI, and Gigabit Ethernet require controlled impedance, appropriate length matching, and connector choices supported by the design rules.
- Check thermal behavior. Provide the heat spreader, airflow path, and enclosure volume required by the selected module and workload; do not infer thermal limits from CPU frequency.
- Confirm software enablement. Verify boot firmware, kernel drivers, device-tree support, camera and display stacks, wireless firmware, and peripheral libraries for the exact carrier revision.
Raspberry Pi lists the CM5 IO Board product information page; its listed CM5IO datasheet was updated 6 October 2025 and its product brief 15 December 2025. Those dates identify the documents, not a guarantee that every later board revision or software image behaves identically.
Software and driver support: what to verify
The manufacturer specifications establish hardware interfaces, not complete operating-system coverage. The cited sources do not provide a comparative table of supported distributions, kernel versions, graphics acceleration, camera drivers, wireless firmware, or long-term maintenance commitments for the two modules.
Before committing to a design, obtain the current image and documentation for the exact module and carrier, then test:
- Boot from the storage method your product will ship with.
- Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and suspend/resume behavior.
- Every camera, display, USB, PCIe, GPIO, and audio peripheral required by the application.
- Hardware video encode/decode and graphics acceleration if multimedia is central to the product.
- Kernel updates, secure-boot or signed-update requirements, watchdog behavior, and recovery procedures.
- Manufacturing tools for flashing eMMC or provisioning removable media at production volume.
Do not substitute a board’s ability to enumerate a connector for application-level support. A camera may appear on a bus yet lack the sensor driver, a display may light without the required mode, and a PCIe device may require kernel support not present in the supplied image.
Use cases that fit CM5’s documented interfaces
Multi-display equipment
CM5 is the clearer specification match for equipment requiring two simultaneous 4Kp60 HDMI outputs. Confirm the carrier’s HDMI implementation, cable and connector constraints, and the operating system’s multi-display behavior before production.
Camera and display products
Two four-lane MIPI ports make CM5 suitable for designs combining multiple CSI-2 cameras, multiple DSI panels, or a camera and a display. The correct sensor drivers and lane configuration still need validation.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL PROCESSOR: Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4GHz delivers exceptional performance for embedded applications
- MEMORY AND STORAGE: Equipped with 16GB RAM and 64GB eMMC flash storage for robust data handling and storage capacity in a compact form factor
- WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: Certified radio module with dual-band 2.4GHz/5.0GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 BLE, plus Gigabit Ethernet PHY with IEEE 1588 support
- DUAL 4K DISPLAY OUTPUT: Two HDMI 2.0 ports support simultaneous 4Kp60 output on both displays, plus two 4-lane MIPI ports for DSI and CSI-2 interfaces
- COMPACT DESIGN: Measures 2.17 x 1.57 x 0.19 inches with four M2.5 mounting holes, operating temperature range of -4°F to +185°F, and production guaranteed until January 2036
High-speed USB or PCIe appliances
Use CM5 as the starting point when the design needs USB 3.0 or a PCIe Gen 2 ×1 host for storage, acquisition, networking, or another expansion device. This is an interface-fit judgment, not a measured throughput claim.
Gigabit-connected edge systems
CM5’s Gigabit Ethernet PHY is the documented match for a product whose wired network requirement exceeds 100 Mb/s, assuming the carrier and software expose the interface correctly.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use cases that fit BPI-CM7’s documented interfaces
Connected control and kiosk products
BPI-CM7 combines documented Wi-Fi 5/Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI output, 10/100 Ethernet, and four USB 2.0 interfaces (one OTG and three host). That combination can suit control panels, information displays, and connected appliances that do not require USB 3.0, PCIe, or dual high-resolution HDMI.
Products standardized on the H618 software and multimedia stack
If your engineering team already supports the H618 platform and its Mali-G31 graphics path, BPI-CM7 may reduce platform change. Confirm image maintenance, peripheral drivers, and the exact BPI-CM7IO revision before treating that familiarity as a production advantage.
Compact products using the dedicated BPI-CM7IO
The BPI-CM7IO gives you a documented starting point for evaluation. It does not remove the need to check power, thermals, storage, connector access, and production availability for the chosen module configuration.
A decision framework for selecting one
| If your design requirement is… | Specification-based starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Two simultaneous 4Kp60 HDMI displays | CM5 | Dual HDMI 2.0 at up to 4Kp60 simultaneously is explicitly listed. |
| Two four-lane MIPI camera/display links | CM5 | Two four-lane ports supporting DSI or CSI-2 are documented. |
| USB 3.0 peripherals | CM5 | Two USB 3.0 ports are specified. |
| PCIe Gen 2 ×1 expansion | CM5 | A PCIe Gen 2 ×1 host is specified. |
| Gigabit wired Ethernet | CM5 | A Gigabit Ethernet PHY is specified. |
| Built-in Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 on the documented module | BPI-CM7 | The BPI-CM7 specification names the K019 radio module. |
| 10/100 Ethernet and USB 2.0 host/OTG | BPI-CM7 | Those interfaces and port counts are explicitly listed. |
| A Raspberry Pi CM4/CM5 carrier already in hand | Only the Raspberry Pi combinations documented by Raspberry Pi | CM4IO/CM5IO cross-use is documented with reduced functionality; BPI-CM7 interchangeability is not established. |
| Lowest-risk software choice | Whichever has a verified image and drivers for your exact peripherals | The cited hardware pages do not establish comparative software support. |
Use this table to narrow the candidates, then prototype the complete module-carrier-software combination. Interface requirements should decide first; nominal CPU frequency should not decide in isolation.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Assuming identical connector counts mean identical pinouts
Two 100-pin connectors are a mechanical clue, not an electrical compatibility guarantee. Obtain the full pinout and design review before applying power.
Buying a module without its carrier plan
A compute module does not automatically provide accessible USB, HDMI, Ethernet, camera, or storage connectors. Select the vendor IO board or a validated custom carrier at the same time as the module.
Reading “up to” as sustained performance
BPI-CM7’s 1.5 GHz figure is a maximum listed frequency. Sustained application behavior depends on cooling, power, scheduler settings, and software.
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Banana Pi says RAM and eMMC capacity vary by BPI-CM7 model but does not enumerate the capacities on the cited page. Use the exact ordering information rather than assuming a familiar range.
Choosing on benchmark assumptions
No independent benchmark comparison is established by the cited manufacturer sources. Measure boot time, application latency, storage performance, video behavior, thermal throttling, and power on representative hardware.
Ignoring board revision and software drift
Record the carrier revision, module SKU, boot firmware, kernel, device tree, and peripheral versions in your validation report. Re-test when any of those changes before releasing a production image.
Quick Recap
Recommended evaluation sequence
- Write an interface requirement list: displays, cameras, Ethernet speed, USB generations, PCIe, wireless, storage, GPIO, and audio.
- Eliminate any module that lacks a required interface in its vendor specification.
- Select the corresponding CM5IO or BPI-CM7IO, or obtain a carrier with a published schematic and pinout.
- Order the exact RAM, eMMC, wireless, and carrier configurations intended for production; do not prototype a different SKU and assume equivalence.
- Bring up boot and storage first, then validate networking, display, camera, USB, PCIe, and GPIO one subsystem at a time.
- Run the real workload while logging temperature, power, errors, frame rates, latency, and recovery behavior.
- Freeze the validated hardware and software bill of materials before designing the enclosure and manufacturing fixtures.
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