Raspberry Pi 3B+: Gigabit-LAN and 200 MHz more clock

The Raspberry Foundation has introduced a revision of the Raspberry 3: the model 3B+. More clock speed and better network connectivity are the key features.

The format has remained the same, existing Projects with a Raspberry Pi can easily be upgraded to the new model - provided that the clock rate, which should be higher on the new model even under continuous load, is the limiting factor.

The data at a glance:

• 1.4 GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU (BCM2837B0)
• Dual-band 802.11ac wireless LAN and Bluetooth 4.2 (BCM43455)
• Faster Ethernet (Gigabit Ethernet over USB 2.0, LAN7515)
• Power-over-Ethernet support (with separate PoE HAT)
• Improved PXE network and USB mass storage booting
• Improved thermal management

The Ethernet connection is still connected via USB 2.0 (LAN7515), which can be a limiting factor, especially for media player projects. At least a higher bandwidth is achieved than before. There are also improvements in WLAN: the BCM43455 radio chip supports 2.4 and now 5 GHz networks, plus Bluetooth 4.2.

The new model is now available at the price of the previous Raspberry Pi 3B. An updated Raspbian image is also already available for download. When a real further development in the form of a Raspberry Pi 4 will come onto the market is open - this is unlikely to happen before 2019.