Binned Chip

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has gained a lower-cost version, but the savings come with a clear performance trade-off. The new special edition sold by Cytron uses a binned chip that does not reach the highest clock speed available on the standard model. Cytron says the unit is supplied directly by Raspberry Pi and runs “flawlessly” when the CPU is capped at 1.25GHz. That is notably below the regular Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, which originally launched at 1.5GHz and later received software support for 1.8GHz. Lower price, lower clock speed The cheaper version is offered in two configurations. The 4GB model is priced at $87.25, while the 8GB version costs $147. For comparison, Cytron lists the regular 4GB Raspberry Pi 4 Model B at $110. The standard 8GB model is listed at $181.50, making the binned versions noticeably less expensive. Variant RAM Price CPU Clock Binned special version 4GB $87.25 1.25GHz Binned special version 8GB $147 1.25GHz Regular version 4GB $110 1.5GHz, with support up to 1.8GHz Regular version 8GB $181.50 1.5GHz, with support up to 1.8GHz What the compromise means in practice For most everyday tasks, the lower clock speed is unlikely to create a major problem. Even so, the binned chip will still be slower than the standard board, especially in benchmarks and heavier workloads. That makes the special version more appealing for projects where budget matters more than maximum speed. The smaller price gap may be enough to justify the compromise for users who do not need every bit of performance. A familiar board with a new value angle Raspberry Pi 4 Model B first appeared in 2019 and quickly became one of the company’s most recognizable boards. Its original 1.5GHz CPU target was later extended through software to 1.8GHz, which made the new binned option stand out even more. For buyers focused on cost, the special version creates a narrower entry point into the Raspberry Pi 4 ecosystem. The decision now comes down to whether the lower price is worth giving up the higher clock headroom of the standard model. Source: www.notebookcheck.net

Raspberry Pi 4 Gets a Cheaper Variant, But the CPU Trade-Off Is Hard to Miss