Contents
Model Overview
Raspberry Pi 4 and 3 have features like;
- A 40-pin GPIO header,
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities,
- USB ports,
- Display ports,
- Ethernet ports,
- RAM, and
- ARM processors.
Despite having almost similar features, the two single-board computers differ in display capabilities, connectivity, and performance, as we’ll see. For example, Pi 4 has a faster working WLAN 802.11ac when compared to Pi 3.
Raspberry Pi 4 vs 3：Specifications
The specifications of Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 are in the table below;
Raspberry pi 4 vs 3：CPU, RAM, and Graphics
Raspberry Pi 4 is, by far, a favorable choice compared to Raspberry Pi 3 in terms of RAM and CPU.
The Raspberry Pi 3: RAM and CPU
- It supports 1GB LPDDR2 SDRAM.
- It also supports Broadcom BCM2837B0, Quad-core Cortex-A53 (ARMV8) 64-bit SoC at 1.4GHz.
Raspberry Pi 4: RAM and CPU
- Depending on the model, it can support 4GB, 2GB, or 1GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM.
- It reinforces Broadcom BCM2711, Quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARMV8) 64-bit SoC at 1.5GHz.
Raspberry Pi 4 vs 3：Connectivity and Ports
Connectivity and port features for Raspberry Pi 3
- Have a 4-pole composite video and stereo audio port.
- Then, it has a 2-incorporated lane MIPI CSI camera port section and a 2-lane MIPI DSI display port.
- Also, it has 4× USB ports and gigabit ethernet over USB 2.0, with the maximum output being 300Mbps.
- It has a 40-pin GPIO header, which is the Raspberry Pi standard.
- Lastly, there’s Bluetooth 4.0, BLE, and 5GHz and 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11.b/g/n/ac wireless LAN.
Connectivity and port features for Raspberry Pi 4
- First, it has a 2-lane MIPI CSI camera port and a 2-lane MIPI DSI display port.
- It also has Bluetooth 5.0, BLE, and a 5GHz and 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11a wireless LAN.
- Thirdly, it comprises 2 × USB 2.0 ports, 2 × USB-3.0 ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port.
- It has a 4-pole stereo audio and composite video port and a standard 40-pin GPIO header.
Raspberry Pi 4 vs 3：Display connectivity
Display for Raspberry Pi 3
- 1 × Full-size HDMI port (ranges to around 1080p).
Display for Raspberry Pi 4
- H.264 (1080p30 encode, 1080p60 decode), H.265 (4kp60 decode).
- 2 × micro-HDMI ports (about 4kp60 supported).
Raspberry Pi 4 vs 3：Power
The points below outline the power specifications of Raspberry Pi-3 and -4, a common one that has a separate PoE.
Power specifications for Raspberry Pi 4
- Support Power over Ethernet (PoE) even though it’ll need a discrete PoE HAT.
- Then, it has a new 5V DC via USB-C connector (minimum 3A*) despite having more power consumption rates.
- It also has a 5V DC through a GPIO header (minimum 3*).
Note;
Use a good-quality 2.5A power supply if the power consumption of less than 500mA by the downstream USB peripherals.
Power specification for Raspberry Pi 3
- First, it supports PoE (Power over Ethernet).
- Secondly, it has a 5V/2.5A micro-USB connector.
Which Raspberry Pi should I buy?
Ideally, both Raspberry Pi 3 and Raspberry 4 models are excellent choices. It is because you can teach yourself programming and electronics on both gadgets.
However, when you want to construct a low-cost-media player or experiment with codes and electronics, Raspberry Pi-3 is the best. What’s more, it is cheap.
Contrarily, you can use Raspberry Pi 4 for better internet support, higher levels of RAM, and a faster processor. Additionally, it can support complex software like Scratch 3 and has an improved retro game emulation. The mentioned features also render it a versatile desktop computer.
The only downside of Raspberry Pi 4 is the heat issue due to faster processing speed. Consequently, that’ll force you to purchase a separate integrated heatsink that requires an additional cost.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing between a Raspberry Pi 4 and 3 can be challenging if you aren’t familiar with the differences. Technically, both serve distinct projects as per your requirements. For more information, contact Wellpcb for detailed guidance.
