Raspberry Compute Module 3+ with so-dimm form factor comes out for $25

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is releasing a new version of its Compute Module. The CM3+ is based on the hardware of the regular Pi 3B+, but has a so-dimm form factor. Manufacturers can build the module into other products.

There will be different variants of the Compute Module 3+. The cheapest model, with a suggested retail price of $25, is the Lite version without emmc storage. There are also variants with 8, 16 and 32 GB of flash memory, which cost 30, 35 and 40 dollars respectively. The Raspberry Pi Foundation releases the Compute Module so that manufacturers can easily integrate it into other hardware. For example, NEC creates monitors with earlier versions of the Compute Module.

The Broadcom BCM2837B0-soc in the CM3+ is clocked at 1.2GHz. With the Raspberry Pi 3B+ that is 1.4GHz, but due to heat development, the variant on the module is clocked lower. According to the makers, the new module is more efficient than its predecessor. The heat development is the same, but the CM3+ model performs better.

Although the module itself has no connections, the Compute Module supports more interfaces than a regular Pi. The module can control two cameras and two screens and can also control more gpio headers. Manufacturers can integrate these connections into their hardware themselves, but a CMIO board is also available, where the module can be plugged in. The Raspberry foundation offers that board along with the module in a developer kit.

The new Compute Module 3+ is the successor to the CM3 variant, which appeared at the beginning of 2017. In 2014, the Raspberry Pi foundation released the first version of the Compute Module, which was based on the first version of the regular Pi. The new model will be on sale at least until 2026. The previous version will ship through 2023 as promised at the time of the announcement, but is now no longer recommended for integration into new products.