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Test out the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 Development Kit!

OwainM

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This RoadTest offers the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5(CM5) Development Kit for reviewers to appraise. What would you like to prototype?
To check out this development kit, enroll for this RoadTest. We’ll send you the hardware to test. We pay for everything. You keep it forever after you post a review.

The Raspberry Pi Development Kit for Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 offers an ideal environment for prototyping embedded solutions. This comprehensive kit includes a Compute Module 5 and Compute Module 5 IO Board, together with all the essential accessories to kick-start your product design.

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What's the CM5 Development Kit?

  • The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 Development Kit includes the CM5 (4GB RAM + 32GB Flash), CM5 IO Board, breaking out all the IO of the CM5, giving you easier access to the ports, peripherals and HAT+ Connector, making prototyping more straightforward for embedded and industrial applications.
  • Protecting the IO Board is the included metal case with included cooling fan, keeping the components inside cool under heavier loads. The kit also includes the cooler heatsink for the CM5.
  • Wireless connectivity is maintained using the included Antenna kit, for wireless connectivity while using the case, or for testing the electronic switch between PCB and external antennae.
  • Design files are available for both the CM5 and the IO Board, allowing the creation of bespoke designs.

Compute Module 5 IO Board Specifications

Parameter Value
Form Factor 160 mm × 90 mm
Connectivity
  • Standard 40-pin GPIO header
  • Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 with PoE+ HAT+ support
  • 2 × USB 3 sockets
  • microSD card socket for Compute Module 5 Lite modules
  • M.2 M key PCIe socket 4-pin fan connector
  • 2 × MIPI DSI/CSI-2 FPC connectors (22-pin 0.5 mm pitch cable)
  • Raspberry Pi HAT+ connector
  • RTC battery socket
Video 2 × full-size HDMI 2.0 connectors
Input Power
  • External +5V USB-C PSU
  • Power button to wake and shut down Compute Module 5

What's included?

RoadTesters will receive or have access to the following to complete their review.

What is the Compute Module 5?

Designed for integration into embedded systems, the CM5 System on Module (SoM) takes the Raspberry Pi 5's 64-bit Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core ARM SoC and packs it into a module just 55 x 40 x 4.7 mm in size with up to 64 GB of storage. The development kit "offers an ideal environment for prototyping embedded solutions" including the CM5, Compute Module 5 IO Board and all the essential accessories for developing your product design. 


  • The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 is a system on module making the power of the Raspberry Pi 5 available in a more compact package for embedded applications. Integrated on the module is a 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 quad-core CPU, an 800MHz VideoCore VII GPU, enabling dual 4Kp60 display output over HDMI.
  • Designed to be mostly compatible with the Compute Module 4's size and connectivity, the CM5 makes alterations to the pinout of it's 2 100-pin high density connectors to repurpose signals to allow the addition of two USB 3.0 and other features. Other changes made include higher current testing for connectros on the CM5, Dual-purpose DSI and CSI signals for use with either a CSI Camera of DSI Display.
  • Onboard memory is ECC and is available with 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB of memory and options for 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB eMMC flash memory. The CM5Lite also provides an option for cost-sensitive uses without on-board storage. The model included within the development kit is the 4 GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC Flash.
  • The CM5 is connected by Gigabit Ethernet with precision time protocol support, as well as the optional, fully-certified, WiFi and Bluetooth module, with the option to switch between PCB Trace and external antenna(The CM5 included in the development kit is WiFi and Bluetooth enabled).

Compute Module 5 Specifications

Parameter Value
Form Factor 55 mm × 40 mm × 4.7 mm module, 4 × M2.5 mounting holes
Processor Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76 (Armv8) SoC @ 2.4GHz
Memory

2GB, 4GB 8GB, or 16GB LPDDR4-4267 SDRAM with ECC
Storage 0GB (Lite), 16GB, 32GB or 64GB eMMC flash memory
Connectivity
  • WiFi 5(2.4  / 5.0 GHz)
  • Bluetooth 5.0 with Bluetooth LE
    • On-board electronic switch to select between PCB trace or external antenna
  • Gigabit Ethernet PHY supporting IEEE 1588
  • 1 × PCIe x1 root complex Gen 2 (5Gbps)
  • 1 × USB 2.0 port (high speed)
  • 2 × USB 3.0 ports, supporting simultaneous 5Gbps operation
Expansion / Peripherals

Up to 30 × GPIO supporting either 1.8V or 3.3V signalling
and peripheral options:

  • Up to 5 × UART
  • Up to 5 × I2C
  • Up to 5 × SPI1 × SDIO interface
  • 1 × DPI (parallel RGB display)
  • 1 × I2S
  • Up to 4 × PWM channels
  • Up to 3 × GPCLK outputs
Video
  • 2 × HDMI 2.0 ports (supports up to 4Kp60 on both ports simultaneously)
  • 2 × 4-lane MIPI ports supporting both DSI (display port) and CSI-2 (camera port)
Multimedia
  • 4Kp60 HEVC decoder
  • OpenGL ES 3.1 graphics, Vulkan 1.3
  • 1 × SDIO 2.0 (CM5 Lite)
Input Power Single +5V PSU input supports USB PD for up to 5A @ 5V
Operating Temperature -20°C to +85°C

Documentation and Useful Links

What you may need to test the CM5 Development Kit

To test out and evaluate the Compute Module 5, you'll likely need the following:

  • A Windows, Mac or Linux-based PC to flash the Compute Module 5
  • USB Mouse or keyboard.
  • 1 or more displays with HDMI input
  • Internet connection (WiFi or Ethernet)
  • Camera Modules (CSI-2 Compatible)
  • DSI-2 Compatible displays
  • I²C, I2S, UART or SPI sensors or peripherals.
  • PCIe compatible peripherals such as network cards, storage.

RoadTester Potential Tasks and Instructions

  • Out-of-the box experience: Install the CM5 into the IO Board, connect it to a host PC and flash the on-board storage with an OS image. Test out connectivity over WiFi or Bluetooth.
  • Performance Testing: Run some benchmarks or known workloads on the CM5 and document the power consumption, efficiency and thermal performance of the CM5, with and without the cooler or cooling fan. If you have the CM4 you could even compare benchmark results between the two.
  • Sensor Connectivity: Use the broken-out GPIO or PCIe to connect Displays, Cameras, Storage, I2S Microphones, or Sensors over I²C, UART or SPI.
  • Real-world demonstration: Put together a small project using the CM5 for a project of your choice, perhaps integrating sensors or peripherals and the increased processing power, for a proof-of-concept project of a real-life use case.
  • Upgradeability: If you have the CM4 available, try upgrading to the CM5 for the same workload and document any changes you have to make.

How to apply

When live, click the button to enrol, you'll be expected to include:

  1. A brief description of your background and experience with the technology (embedded systems, microcontrollers, programming and prototyping in particular)
  2. The details of the test plan or project you wish to use when you're reviewing the Compute Module 5 Development Kit.
  3. What you want to evaluate in the CM5 Development Kit, such as performance, form-factor, power consumption, complexity of development.

Key Dates

Begin enrollment

 March 9 2026

End enrollment

 April 15 2026

Select RoadTesters

 Within two weeks of enrollment end

Ship unit

 Week during / after RoadTester selection

Begin RoadTesting

 On receipt of kit

element14 follow-up

 6 weeks after selection

Post reviews by

 2 to 3 months after kit receipt

Terms and Conditions

Do you want to RoadTest this development kit?

About the sponsor

Raspberry Pi is on a mission to put high-performance, low-cost, general-purpose computing platforms in the hands of enthusiasts and engineers all over the world.

Since 2012, they’ve been designing single-board and modular computers, built on the Arm architecture, and running the Linux operating system. Whether you’re an educator looking to excite the next generation of computer scientists; an enthusiast searching for inspiration for your next project; or an OEM who needs a proven rock-solid foundation for your next generation of smart products, there’s a Raspberry Pi computer for you. Check out  Raspberry Pi on the Community. 

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