New Raspberry Pi 4 Model Splits RAM Across Dual Chips
2 55The blog OMG Ubuntu reports that a new version of the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has been (quietly) introduced. "The key difference? It now uses a dual-RAM configuration." The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (PCB 13a) adopts a dual-RAM configuration to 'improve supply chain flexibility' and manufacturing efficiency, per a company product change notice document. Earlier versions of the Raspberry Pi 4 use a single RAM chip on the top of the board. The new revision adds a second LPDDR4 chip to the underside, with a couple of passive components also moved over... In moving to a dual-chip layout, Raspberry Pi can combine two smaller — and marginally cheaper — modules to hit the same RAM totals amidst fluctuating component costs...
This change will not impact performance (for better or worse). The Broadcom BCM2711 SoC has a 32-bit wide memory interface so the bandwidth stays identical; this is not doubling the memory bus, it's just a physical split, not a logical one. Plus, the new board is fully compatible with existing official accessories, HATs and add-ons. All operating systems that support the Pi 4 will work, but as the memory setup is different a new version of the boot-loader will need to be flashed first.
2 comments
Re:RAM recycling? (Score: 5, Interesting)
by Comboman ( 895500 ) on Monday February 09, 2026 @08:19AM (#65977386)
Recycling was a lot easier when RAM was on SIMMs and DIMMS (and socketed DIPs for the old-timers).
Re: My ZX Spectrum had 4 memory banks (Score: 5, Interesting)
by Koen Lefever ( 2543028 ) on Monday February 09, 2026 @10:05AM (#65977582)
I wonder if anyone made a magnetic core memory module for the Pi?
Core memory [core64.io] for the Raspberry Pi Pico.