A cheaper take on the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has surfaced, offering a variant that is not identical to the standard SBC. The key difference is a binned Broadcom processor that operates at a lower clock speed than the regular edition.
Processor and clock speeds
The reseller Cytron notes that the affordable Raspberry Pi 4 Model B uses a Broadcom BCM2711 clocked at 1.25GHz. By comparison, the original 2019 release shipped with a 1.5GHz CPU, and a later software update enabled a 1.8GHz clock. The binned units are described as sourced directly from Raspberry Pi but do not meet the peak 1.8GHz specifications. They are said to run flawlessly with a CPU frequency capped at up to 1.25GHz.
Performance expectations
This reduction in clock speed is unlikely to be critical for many applications, though the binned variant will generally be slower than the standard model. Benchmarks and heavy workloads may show noticeable differences, particularly under sustained processing tasks.
Pricing and configurations
Two configurations are offered for the binned models. The 4GB RAM version is priced at $87.25. For comparison, the regular Raspberry Pi 4 Model B with 4GB RAM is listed at $110, while the 8GB variant runs $181.50. The binned 8GB model is available at $147, presenting a cost-effective option for budget-conscious projects.
Availability
The information originates from Cytron, with reference to the binned Raspberry Pi 4 Model B directly sourced from Raspberry Pi. This option provides a lower-cost path for users who can operate within the reduced clock speed.
Source: www.cnx-software.com