PiFlux · Volume 2
Choosing the Pi 5
2/4/8/16 GB RAM tradeoffs for the PiFlux workload, the PCIe→M.2 capability, and what to buy
Stub — section skeleton authored 2026-06-27; prose to follow.
2.1 The Pi 5 Platform in the PiFlux Context
2.2 RAM Tier Comparison
2.2.1 2 GB — minimum viable
2.2.2 4 GB — light desktop
2.2.3 8 GB — comfortable general use
2.2.4 16 GB — heavy workloads and SDR pipelines
2.3 Why the Pi 5: PCIe and M.2 Viability
2.3.1 The PCIe 2.0 lane and the HAT+ connector
2.3.2 Why no earlier Pi is the right base
2.4 The M.2-Capable Configuration
2.5 What to Buy
Table 1 — 5. What to Buy
| Reader profile | Recommended config | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal-only field use | 2 GB Complete | Minimal RAM needed; $449 entry point |
| General Linux desktop | 8 GB Complete | Headroom for concurrent apps; $649 |
| SDR + radio operator | 8 GB or 16 GB + Advanced Radio | RAM for SDR pipeline; see Vol 8 |
| Pi 5 already in hand | Barebones Kit ($299) | Best cost basis |
2.6 Resources
Table 2 — 6. Resources
| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| PiFlux product page | https://carboncomputers.us/products/pi-flux |
| Raspberry Pi 5 product page | https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5/ |
| Pi 5 datasheet / product brief | [VERIFY: link to official Pi 5 brief] |
| M.2 Mod detail | ../../PiFlux/02-inputs/volume_sources/vol3.md |