New Raspberry Pi Compute Module Features Massive Performance Boost

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has unveiled the third generation of its small form-factor single-board Compute Module, which has twice the RAM and ten-times the CPU performance of the original. The Compute Module 3 is effectively stripped-down version of the Raspberry Pi 3, featuring the same four-core Broadcom BCM2837 processor, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of onboard flash storage, but without its cousin’s SD card slot or Ethernet, HDMI, and USB ports, though the Lite model does include an SD slot in exchange for onboard flash memory.

“The idea of the Compute Module was to provide an easy and cost-effective route to producing customised products based on the Pi hardware and software platform,” the Raspberry Pi Foundation says. “The thought was to provide the ‘team in a garage’ with easy access to the same technology as the big guys.”

“The Module takes care of the complexity of routing out the processor pins, the high speed RAM interface, and core power supply, and allows a simple carrier board to provide just what is needed in terms of external interfaces and form factor. The module uses a standard DDR2 SODIMM form factor, sockets for which are made by several manufacturers, are easily available, and are inexpensive.”

The Foundation has also released the Compute Module IO Board V3, which allows the user to program the Compute Module 3’s flash memory.

“This board provides the necessary power to the Module and gives you the ability to program the Module’s flash memory (for the non-Lite versions) or use an SD card (Lite versions), access the processor interfaces in a slightly more friendly fashion (pin headers and flexi connectors, much like the Pi), and provides the necessary HDMI and USB connectors so that you have an entire system that can boot Raspbian (or the OS of your choice),” the Foundation explains. “This board provides both a starting template for those who want to design with the Compute Module, and a quick way to start experimenting with the hardware, and building and testing a system, before going to the expense of fabricating a custom board. The CMIO3 can accept an original Compute Module, CM3, or CM3L.2.”

The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 is priced £24.75, while the Lite version costs £20.50.