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Raspberry Pi 5 vs Odroid N3: Which DIY Board Should You Choose?

2/6/2026 · DIY Tech · 8 min

Raspberry Pi 5 vs Odroid N3: Which DIY Board Should You Choose?

TL;DR

  • Raspberry Pi 5 is ideal for beginners due to its extensive community and software support.
  • Odroid N3 offers better performance and high-end features, making it perfect for power users.

Overview of the Boards

Raspberry Pi 5

The Raspberry Pi 5 is the latest iteration in the popular Pi series. It comes with a 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 processor, 4GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and USB 3.0 support. Known for its extensive community and software ecosystem, the Pi 5 is an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists looking for an accessible entry point into DIY computing.

Odroid N3

The Odroid N3 is a powerful alternative, boasting an 8-core ARM Cortex-A78 processor, up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and features like eMMC storage support and dual HDMI outputs. It's aimed at advanced users who require more performance and flexibility for demanding projects.

Performance Comparison

Raspberry Pi 5

  • CPU: Quad-core Cortex-A76 at 2.4 GHz.
  • GPU: VideoCore VII, supporting 4K at 60Hz.
  • RAM: Available in 4GB or 8GB configurations.
  • Performance: Adequate for tasks like light web servers, media playback, and simple automation projects.

Odroid N3

  • CPU: Octa-core Cortex-A78 at 3.0 GHz.
  • GPU: Mali-G78, excellent for 4K HDR encoding/decoding and AI tasks.
  • RAM: Options up to 16GB LPDDR5.
  • Performance: Superior for tasks such as AI processing, software compilation, and running multiple virtual machines.

I/O and Connectivity

Raspberry Pi 5

  • Ports: 2 USB 3.0, 2 USB 2.0, 2 micro-HDMI (4K@60Hz), Gigabit Ethernet.
  • Expansion: GPIO pins for hardware projects.
  • Wireless: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

Odroid N3

  • Ports: 4 USB 3.0, 2 HDMI 2.1 (4K@120Hz), 2.5GbE Ethernet.
  • Expansion: GPIO pins, PCIe slot for additional hardware.
  • Wireless: Optional Wi-Fi 6E module, Bluetooth 5.3.

Software and Community Support

Raspberry Pi 5

  • Operating Systems: Runs Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, and numerous other Linux distros.
  • Community: One of the largest DIY communities, with extensive tutorials, forums, and projects.
  • Ease of Use: Beginner-friendly with pre-configured software tools.

Odroid N3

  • Operating Systems: Supports Ubuntu, Android, and other Linux variants.
  • Community: Smaller but highly technical, with a focus on advanced projects.
  • Customization: More options for tailored use cases like AI, robotics, and media servers.

Price Comparison

  • Raspberry Pi 5: Starting at $60 for the 4GB model, making it budget-friendly.
  • Odroid N3: Starts at $100 for the base model, with higher costs for additional features like Wi-Fi modules and eMMC storage.

Use Cases

  • Raspberry Pi 5:
  • Home automation
  • Educational projects
  • Lightweight media servers
  • Odroid N3:
  • AI and machine learning projects
  • High-performance media streaming
  • Software development and virtualization

Bottom Line

Choose the Raspberry Pi 5 if you are new to DIY computing or need a budget-friendly, beginner-oriented board with excellent community support. Opt for the Odroid N3 if you require top-tier performance and flexibility for complex projects, and you are comfortable with a steeper learning curve.

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