The Raspberry Pi 3b+ is the latest iteration of the ‘top of the line’ Pi, with all the best features and upgrades. It is the better version of the Raspberry Pi, and highlights one of the most powerful features of this compact, affordable computer.
It has gained worldwide popularity for DIY electronics, coding, and automation projects. The Raspberry Pi is the go-to device for anyone looking to explore hands-on technology, whether you’re learning to program, building robots, or automating your home.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation designed the device to provide an affordable platform for experimentation and education in computer programming. It can be used for many of the things that a normal desktop PC does, including word-processing, spreadsheets, high-definition video, games, and programming.
Hence, this mode is a very nice bump in specs – surprisingly so, considering that it’s not a full bump to a Pi 4. Moreover, the board itself has changed a lot.
We’ll give you a broad overview here, and you can read our deep dive into the device to learn more!
What is raspberry pi 3b+?
The Raspberry Pi mini computer just keeps getting better. It’s been three years since there has been a major upgrade to the Raspberry Pi line, and now that we know what is next, it is safe to say that it was worth the wait.
The upgrade to Raspberry Pi 3 Model B is a notable device.
If you’re looking to tinker with hardware, start programming, or just create an everyday PC for very basic needs, the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ is an excellent choice.
Key Technicalities of the raspberry pi 3b+
The Pi 3 B+ performs far better than previous boards. Here are some technical aspects about the new upgrade –
- Security Operations Center (SoC) – It is powered by the IBCM2837B0 64-bit system-on-chip. Moreover, it features four ARM Cortex-A53
- GPU – The CPU is supported by a Broadcom VideoCore IV GPU for graphics processing.
- RAM – It comes with 1GB of LPDDR2 SDRAM for memory.
- Networking – Networking capabilities include Gigabit Ethernet, routed internally via a USB 2.0 channel. Furthermore, the board supports dual-band Wi-Fi at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, compatible with 802.11b/g/n/ac standards.
- Bluetooth – Bluetooth 4.2 and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) are built-in for wireless connectivity.
- Storage – A microSD card slot handles storage.
- GPIO – The 40-pin raspberry pi 3b+ pinout GPIO header is fully populated for hardware expansion.
- Ports – Available ports include an HDMI output and a 3.5mm analog audio-video jack. Moreover, there are four USB 2.0 ports for peripherals and external devices. The designers also included an Ethernet port for wired networking on the board.
Performance Upgrades in the raspberry pi 3b+
The performance of this device is commendable and appreciable. It is better than any of its previous models.
Here is a comprehensive list of all the upgrades and features included –
1. An improved System on Chip
- The System on Chip (SoC) of the Raspberry Pi is its heart, combining CPU and GPU into a single package.
- Since the Pi 2, the SoC has been quad-core, and the Pi 3’s CPU ran at 1.2GHz.
- Furthermore, the new SoC package on the Pi 3 B+ looks a lot different to those on the Pis 2 and 3. The designers covered it with metal shielding instead of the familiar plastic.
- Moreover, inside, the chip is quite different, with the die sitting on a carrier PCB that routes pins from the die to pins on the Pi PCB.
- The designers used metal shielding as a heat sink and spreader to make the die more thermally efficient.
2. Faster networking
- The Pi uses a LAN chip that combines Ethernet and USB 2.0, through four USB A ports and one Ethernet port.
- Compared with the Pis 2 and 3, Ethernet on the Pi 3 B+ is now 3x faster. So, this is a significant boost that you should really notice.
- Previously, the system limited Ethernet to 100 Mbit/s speeds, but the new design opens it up to 300 Mbit/s.
- It is actually gigabit Ethernet, but is limited to 300 Mbit/s because it’s run over USB 2.0. Thus, this does mean that you’ll need to update any network switches to gigabit Ethernet to take advantage of the 200 Mbit/s speed bump.
3. Improved wireless LAN
- Wireless LAN on the Pi 3 B+ has improved in a couple of important ways.
- It is now dual-band 802.11ac, capable of running at 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
- The move from 802.11n to AC will see transfer speeds increased significantly too.
- Moreover, the Raspberry Pi Foundation adopted the same PCB antenna technology from Proant AB for the Pi 3 B+.
- Additionally, the wireless chip and circuitry are hidden under the little metal-shielded package at the top left-hand corner, with the Raspberry Pi logo, to protect against interference from the rest of the board, and signals coming into and out of the antenna.
4. Power over Ethernet
- You might have spotted the four new pins just to the right and below the GPIO. This is a header that will enable a new Power over Ethernet (PoE) HAT (forthcoming from the Raspberry Pi Foundation) to be used on the Pi 3 B+.
- Those who want to build the Pi 3 B+ into proper rack-mounted clusters and networks will really benefit from this.
- It should also be noted that these new pins will potentially cause problems with HATs that have components on the back top left corner, so bear that in mind when designing your HATs and pHATs!
- The same goes for the metal shielding on the SoC and Wi-Fi circuitry.
Explaining the raspberry pi 3b+ pinout
The Raspberry Pi 3B+ utilizes a 40-pin GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) header, providing access to 26 GPIO pins for interacting with external hardware.
- These pins allow the Pi to act as both a digital output (controlling devices like LEDs or motors) and a digital input (reading data from sensors or buttons).
- Furthermore, the remaining pins on the header include power (5V and 3.3V) and ground pins, as well as pins for dedicated functions like the ID EEPROM.
- Users can configure the GPIO pins in software to act as either inputs or outputs. Moreover, they are numbered using either the Broadcom pin numbering (the Pi’s internal numbering) or the P1 physical pin numbering (based on the physical location of the pins on the header).
The most common numbering scheme is the Broadcom pin numbering.
Here’s a breakdown of some key GPIO functions –
- Input: Reading data from sensors, buttons, or other devices.
- Output: Controlling LEDs, motors, relays, or other devices.
- Communication protocols: Interfacing with devices using protocols like I2C, SPI, or UART.
- PWM (Pulse Width Modulation): Creating analog-like outputs, often used for controlling the brightness of LEDs or the speed of motors.
Thus, it is clear that the raspberry pi 3b+ offers a versatile interface for connecting with a wide range of hardware projects. This makes it a popular choice for both beginners and experienced developers.
Common Use-Cases and Projects with raspberry pi
It offers a wide range of possibilities for various projects and use cases, particularly in areas like home automation, IoT, and general computing.
Some of the Common projects include –
- Home Automation – It can act as a central hub for controlling smart home devices, including lights, appliances, and sensors.
- IoT (Internet of Things) – Projects like building a weather station, an air quality monitor, or a smart dustbin with IoT notifications are popular.
- Security & Surveillance – The Pi can be used to build security cameras, including AI-powered face recognition systems, and time-lapse cameras.
- Robotics – Controlling robots, including building a virtual telepresence robot or a ball tracking robot, is another common use.
- Media & Entertainment – The Pi can be used to create media centers, streaming devices, internet radios, and retro gaming consoles.
Analysing the raspberry pi 3b+ price
- Despite its robust capabilities, The Raspberry Pi Foundation has kept the price of the 3B+ at a budget-friendly $35.
- It is more expensive than the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, which comes in at around $15. But it has fewer ports and is designed for lightweight tasks.
- The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, the predecessor to the 3B+, is also priced at $35, but it lacks the upgraded 1.4GHz CPU, dual-band Wi-Fi, and improved thermal performance found in the 3B+.
- The 4GB version of the Pi 4 typically costs between $60 and $70, offering greater memory capacity for multitasking and heavier computing needs.
- The Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB model) is priced at approximately $80 to $90 and delivers desktop-level performance with significant improvements in processing power, GPU, and expandability, including native PCIe support.
- In comparison, the raspberry pi 3b+ price stands out as a balanced and affordable choice
Safety Instructions
To avoid malfunction or damage to this product, please follow the given guidelines –
- Do not expose to water or moisture, or place on a conductive surface whilst in operation.
- Furthermore, do not expose to heat from any source; Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ is designed for reliable operation at normal ambient temperatures.
- Do not expose the printed circuit board to high-intensity light sources (e.g., xenon flash or laser) whilst in operation.
- Additionally, take care whilst handling to avoid mechanical or electrical damage to the printed circuit board and connectors.
- Whilst it is powered, avoid handling the printed circuit board, or only handle it by the edges to minimise the risk of electrostatic discharge damage.
Conclusion
So, in the end, the raspberry pi 3b+ is a worthy upgrade from the 3 B (or for those holding out, the B+ or 2 B).
It is a huge improvement when it comes to networking, wired or wireless.
For $35, and the addition of a few peripherals many people already have lying around, you can put together a nice little basic-needs PC for the kids, an entertainment console, or a classic gaming machine.
It can be used for multiple projects and is very compatible.
With its faster processing, faster networking, and improved dual-band wireless LAN, it is definitely one of the best products on the market today
So, try out your next project with the raspberry pi 3b+ to get the best results!
FAQS
1. What is the Raspberry Pi 3B+ used for?
The Raspberry Pi 3B+ is a versatile mini-computer used for DIY electronics, coding, home automation, robotics, IoT projects, and even as a basic desktop replacement.
2. What’s the difference between Raspberry Pi 3B and 3B+?
The 3B+ has a faster 1.4GHz processor, dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), improved Ethernet (up to 300 Mbps), better thermal management with metal shielding, and support for Power over Ethernet (PoE).
3. Can I use the Raspberry Pi 3B+ as a regular desktop computer?
Yes, for basic tasks like browsing, word processing, spreadsheets, and media playback, the Pi 3B+ can function as a simple desktop computer.
4. What operating systems are compatible with Raspberry Pi 3B+?
It supports several OS options, including Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian), Ubuntu, Kali Linux, LibreELEC (for media centers), and others compatible with ARM architecture.
5. Does the Raspberry Pi 3B+ have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?
Yes, it features dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 4.2 with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) for wireless connectivity.
6. How is the Raspberry Pi 3B+ powered?
It is typically powered via a 5V/2.5A micro-USB power supply. It can also support Power over Ethernet (PoE) with a compatible PoE HAT.
7. What is the function of the 40-pin GPIO header?
The GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins allow the Pi to interact with external devices such as LEDs, sensors, motors, and more, enabling physical computing and hardware projects.
8. Can I connect a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the Pi 3B+?
Yes, it has HDMI output for a monitor, four USB ports for peripherals like a keyboard and mouse, and supports USB hubs if more ports are needed.
9. What kind of storage does the Raspberry Pi 3B+ use?
It uses a microSD card for storage, which also acts as the boot drive. A minimum of 8GB is recommended, but 16GB or more is better for most projects.
10. Is Raspberry Pi 3B+ good for beginners?
Absolutely! Its affordability, community support, and broad range of project possibilities make it an excellent choice for beginners learning programming, electronics, or computing.
