Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (2024)

Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (1)

The Raspberry Pi is a credit card-sized computer with an ARM processor that can run Linux. This item is the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, which has 1 GB of RAM, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), an Ethernet port, HDMI output, audio output, RCA composite video output (through the 3.5 mm jack), four USB ports, and 0.1″-spaced pins that provide access to general purpose inputs and outputs (GPIO). The Raspberry Pi requires a microSD card with an operating system on it (not included). The Raspberry Pi is very popular, with lots of example projects and information available online.

Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (3)

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, top view.

Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (4)

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, bottom view.

Overview

The Raspberry Pi is a credit card-sized computer. The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ is an improved version of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B. It is based on the BCM2837B0 system-on-chip (SoC), which includes a 1.4 GHz quad-core ARMv8 64bit processor and a powerful VideoCore IV GPU. The Raspberry Pi can run a full range of ARM GNU/Linux distributions, including Snappy Ubuntu Core, Raspbian, Fedora, and Arch Linux, as well as Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Core.

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ has many performance improvements over the Model B including a faster CPU clock speed (1.4GHz vs 1.2GHz), increased Ethernet throughput, and dual-band WiFi. It also supports Power over Ethernet with a Power over Ethernet HAT (not included). The MagPi Magazine has a blog post with performance benchmarks comparing various Raspberry Pi models.

The dual-band wireless LAN comes with modular compliance certification, allowing the board to be designed into end products with significantly reduced wireless LAN compliance testing, improving both cost and time to market.

The Raspberry Pi was designed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to provide an affordable platform for experimentation and education in computer programming. The Raspberry Pi can be used for many of the things that a normal desktop PC does, including word-processing, spreadsheets, high-definition video, games, and programming. USB devices such as keyboards and mice can be connected via the board’s four USB ports. Over twelve million Raspberry Pis have been sold, and lots of resources for the Raspberry Pi are available online.

With its 0.1″-spaced GPIO header and small size, the Raspberry Pi also works as a programmable controller in a wide variety of robotics and electronics applications. It can also be combined with our A-Star 32U4 Robot Controller LV with Raspberry Pi Bridge to make a great controller for a small robot. We also carry a selection of Raspberry Pi expansion boards and offer two compatible robotics platforms: the Balboa 32U4 Balancing Robot Kit and the Romi chassis using the Romi 32U4 Control Board.

Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (5)

Driving motors with an A-Star 32U4 Robot Controller LV with Raspberry Pi Bridge on a Raspberry Pi Model B+ or Pi 2 Model B.

Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (6)

Driving motors with a #2756 dual motor driver on a on a Raspberry Pi Model B+ or Pi 2 Model B. A step-down regulator provides 5V to the Raspberry Pi.

Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (7)

Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (8)

Features

  • 1.4GHz quad-core BCM2837B0 ARMv8 64bit CPU
  • 1GB RAM
  • VideoCore IV 3D graphics core
  • Ethernet port
  • dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) IEEE 802.11.b/g/n/ac wireless LAN (WiFi)
  • Bluetooth4.2
  • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
  • Four USB ports
  • Full-size HDMI output
  • Four-pole 3.5mm jack with audio output and composite video output
  • 40-pin GPIO header with 0.1″-spaced male pins that are compatible with our 2×20 stackable female headers and the female ends of our premium jumper wires.
  • Camera interface (CSI)
  • Display interface (DSI)
  • Micro SD card slot

What you will need

To use the Raspberry Pi, you will need a few additional things that are not included:

  • A 5V power source with a micro USB connector that can source at least 2.5A. We recommend this 5VDC 2.5A wall power adapter.
  • A microSD card with an operating system on it, which also serves as the main storage for the device.
  • Input and output devices, such as a keyboard and monitor.

While the Raspberry Pi is powered from a 5V supply, it operates at a 3.3V logic level and its pins are not 5V-tolerant. Connecting higher voltages, like 5V, directly to an I/O pin could damage the board. We recommend you use something like our bidirectional logic level shifter to interface this board with 5V systems.

For more information about the Raspberry Pi, see the technical, help, and resource documents on the Raspberry Pi website.

Comparing Raspberry Pi models

The table below shows some key features and specifications of the Raspberry Pi boards to help you choose the right one for your application. For reference, it also includes the Model B+, Pi 2 Model B, and Pi 3 Model B+ , which we no longer carry.

Raspberry Pi ModelA+ 512MBPololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (10)
Raspberry Pi ModelB+
Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (11)
Raspberry Pi2 ModelB
Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (12)
Raspberry Pi3 ModelB
Raspberry Pi3 ModelB+
CPU:BCM2835BCM2836BCM2837BCM2837B0
CPU cores:1 4
CPU speed:700MHz900MHz1.2GHz1.4GHz
RAM:512MB512MB1GB
Ethernet:NoYes
WiFi:No2.4GHz 802.11n2.4GHz 5GHz 802.11b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth:No4.14.2
Bluetooth Low Energy:NoYes
HDMI:Yes
Analog video:Yes1
SD socket:microSD
Onboard regulators:switching
Expansion header pins:40
USB ports:14
Mounting holes:4
Dimensions2:2.5″ × 2.2″ × 0.47″3.35″×2.2″×0.8″
Weight3:23g42g50g

1 Audio and analog video provided by a single four-pole 3.5mm jack. This 3.5mm jack also has its own dedicated low-noise power supply for improved audio.
2 Length and width measurements are for the PCB only; several of the connectors extend past the edge of the board.
3 Weight does not include microSD cards.

Raspberry Pi is a trademark of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

People often buy this product together with:

0.100" (2.54 mm) Female Header: 2x20-Pin, Straight
0.1" (2.54mm) Crimp Connector Housing: 1x3-Pin 25-Pack
Logic Level Shifter, 4-Channel, Bidirectional
Pololu - Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (2024)

FAQs

What is the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ used for? ›

The Raspberry Pi can be used for many of the things that a normal desktop PC does, including word-processing, spreadsheets, high-definition video, games, and programming. USB devices such as keyboards and mice can be connected via the board's four USB ports.

What is the difference between Raspberry Pi 3 B+ and Raspberry Pi 3 A+? ›

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ is a more compact and reduced price version of the 3 Model B+. Of course, with the smaller footprint comes a few compromises. The new A+ version is missing a few items that the B+ has. (The B+ model is featured on the left of both images while the new A+ is on the right of both.)

What is the difference between Raspberry Pi 3 and Raspberry Pi 3 B+? ›

The HW of RPi 3B+ isn't that different from its predecessor, there is no extra RAM memory, the GPU remains the same. The biggest difference between this model with RPi 3B is the 200MHz boost in processor speed and moreover there is a new heat spreader helping to reduce throttling and maintain the CPU speed boost.

Is the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B good? ›

The Bottom Line

The introduction of wireless connectivity and a boost in performance over its previous iteration make the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B appropriate for a wider variety of projects—and it still costs just $35. PCMag editors select and review products independently.

Is the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ discontinued? ›

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ has been discontinued Renaissance Robotics.

Does Raspberry Pi 3 B+ have Wi-Fi? ›

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ has a dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless LAN. I am using this wireless LAN (wifi) on the RED side of IPFire to connect to a home router. I am using Ethernet on the GREEN side to connect to my laptop.

Should I get Raspberry Pi 3 or 4? ›

Raspberry Pi 4 vs Raspberry PI 3B+: CPU, RAM, and graphics

Raspberry Pi 4 is a clear winner when it comes to pure specifications and hardware grunt. Raspberry Pi 4 sports a faster 1.5GHz clock speed processor (up from the 1.4GHz found on Raspberry Pi 3B+).

Can Raspberry Pi 3B+ run 64-bit? ›

I notice the fritzing diagram near the bottom of that github page shows a board that is explicitly a Pi 3B. You have a 3B+ - hardly old, which does support 64bit but unless you need to run software which is only available as 64bit there is no reason to change (you won't see any difference in performance).

Should I buy Raspberry Pi 4 or 3? ›

To start, Raspberry Pi 3B+ launched as an improved version of the 3B and Raspberry Pi 4 is truly a new board with game changing new features. Raspberry Pi 4 packs a punch with more power all around, multiple RAM options, and 4k 60fps capability; this is not just another version of the tried and true Raspberry Pi 3B.

Is there anything better than a Raspberry Pi? ›

The Rock64 Media Board is a powerful Raspberry Pi alternative with a faster processor and double the memory. It features a quad-core 2.1GHz processor and plenty of ports, including HDMI, and built-in support for Android and Linux.

How many pins does a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ have? ›

The Raspberry Pi 3B+ board contains a single 40-pin expansion header labeled as 'J8' providing access to 28 GPIO pins.

Can the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ output 4K? ›

4K Video playback is not supported. All uploaded videos will be downsized to 1080p and upscaled during playback.

Does the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B have Bluetooth? ›

Whilst maintaining the popular board format the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B brings you a more powerful processer, 10x faster than the first generation Raspberry Pi. Additionally it adds wireless LAN & Bluetooth connectivity making it the ideal solution for powerful connected designs.

What power supply do I need for Raspberry Pi 3 Model B? ›

Typical power requirements
ProductRecommended PSU current capacityTypical bare-board active current consumption
Raspberry Pi 1 Model A+700mA180mA
Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+1.8A330mA
Raspberry Pi 2 Model B1.8A350mA
Raspberry Pi 3 Model B2.5A400mA
10 more rows

What is the primary purpose of the Raspberry Pi? ›

The Raspberry Pi was designed to be a low-cost, low-power device that can be used for a variety of purposes, including: Teaching basic computer science: The Raspberry Pi is often used in schools and educational settings to introduce students to the basics of computer science and programming.

Why would I use a Raspberry Pi? ›

A Raspberry Pi cluster is a low-cost, versatile system you can use for all kinds of clustered-computing related technologies, and you have total control over the machines that constitute it.

What do I need to use a Raspberry Pi 3? ›

You'll also need a power supply, a monitor or TV, leads to connect to the monitor--typically HDMI, and a mouse and keyboard. Once you've plugged in all the cables, the easiest way for new users to get up and running on the Pi is to download the NOOBS (New Out-Of-Box Software) installer.

What operating system does Raspberry Pi 3 Model B use? ›

Raspberry Pi runs Debian based GNU/Linux operating system Raspberry Pi OS and ports of many other OSes exist for this SBC.

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