What is a CPU?

CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. Often referred to as the processor, it’s the primary component of a computer that does most of the processing within a system.

Think of the CPU as the brain of your Raspberry Pi or any other computer. It makes all the decisions and executes the commands that make programs run.

Raspberry Pi models come with different types of CPUs, which explains most of the differences in performance, capabilities and architectures. Each advancement in CPU technology has brought significant improvements for the user in terms of multitasking, operating speed, and power consumption.

Raspberry Pi Model	CPU Used
Raspberry Pi 1B	1× ARM1176JZF-S 700 MHz
Raspberry Pi 2B	4× Cortex-A53 900 MHz
Raspberry Pi 3B+	4× Cortex-A53 1.4 GHz
Raspberry Pi 4B	4× Cortex-A72 1.5 GHz (or 1.8 GHz)
Raspberry Pi 5	4× Cortex-A76 2.4 GHz

All Raspberry Pi models are powered by ARM processors, a specific architecture characterized by energy efficiency and reduced instruction complexity, making it perfect for the Raspberry Pi purpose (cheap, compact and heating less than the alternatives).

While we are talking about processors, I should also mention that the latest Raspberry Pi models support 64-bit processing, allowing them to use more than 4GB of RAM and be more efficient with larger applications (for better overall performance with compatible programs).

Here are a few additional links you might want to read on this topic:

• Raspberry Pi OS 64-bit vs 32-bit (Which One To Install?)
• Is Raspberry Pi a Microcontroller or a Microprocessor?
• What’s the Difference Between a Raspberry Pi and a Computer?
• How to Know Which Raspberry Pi Model You Have (Flowchart)