Raspberry Pi 4 Vs 5 Is The Upgrade Necessary For Simple Retro Emulation

For hobbyists and retro gaming enthusiasts, the Raspberry Pi has long been the go-to platform for building affordable, compact emulation stations. With the release of the Raspberry Pi 5, many are asking whether upgrading from a Pi 4 is worth it—especially when the goal is straightforward retro emulation. After all, if your current setup already runs classic games from the NES, SNES, Genesis, or even PlayStation 1 era flawlessly, does doubling down on new hardware deliver tangible benefits?

The short answer: probably not. But the full picture requires understanding what’s changed under the hood, how emulators actually use system resources, and where bottlenecks truly exist in a retro gaming build.

Understanding Emulation Demands by Console Era

Emulation performance isn’t one-size-fits-all. The processing power needed varies dramatically depending on the age and complexity of the original console. For example:

• NES, Game Boy, Sega Master System (8-bit): These systems require minimal CPU and GPU resources. Even the original Raspberry Pi Zero can emulate them at full speed.
• SNES, Genesis, TurboGrafx-16 (16-bit): Slightly more demanding but still easily handled by any modern Pi. Audio resampling and accurate timing matter more than raw power.
• N64, PlayStation 1, Dreamcast (32/64-bit): This tier introduces 3D graphics and more complex audio processing. While Pi 4 handles most titles well, some N64 games (like Banjo-Kazooie or GoldenEye) may suffer from frame drops or audio glitches.
• GameCube, PS2, Xbox (early HD era): These are generally out of reach for native emulation on Raspberry Pi hardware, regardless of generation. High-level emulation (HLE) tools like Dolphin can run GameCube titles on Pi 5 with heavy optimization, but performance remains inconsistent.

If your target library stops at PS1 or early N64, both Pi 4 and Pi 5 will serve you well. The real question isn't capability—it's efficiency, stability, and future-proofing.

Tip: Focus on optimizing RetroArch configurations before upgrading hardware. Many performance issues stem from incorrect shader settings or unneeded overlays.

Hardware Comparison: Pi 4 vs Pi 5

To assess whether an upgrade makes sense, let’s compare the key specs relevant to emulation workloads:

Feature	Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB)	Raspberry Pi 5
Processor	Broadcom BCM2711, Quad-core Cortex-A72 @ 1.5GHz	Broadcom BCM2712, Quad-core Cortex-A76 @ 2.4GHz
GPU	VideoCore VI @ 500MHz	VideoCore VII @ 800MHz
RAM Options	2GB, 4GB, 8GB	4GB, 8GB, 16GB
Storage Interface	MicroSD only	MicroSD + PCIe 2.0 via M.2 HAT
Thermal Management	Passive heatsink recommended	Active cooling required for sustained loads
USB Ports	2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0	2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 + USB-C for power
GPIO Speed	Standard	Doubled (useful for add-ons)

The Pi 5 offers a significant architectural leap: moving from Cortex-A72 to A76 cores brings better instruction-per-clock performance and improved memory handling. The GPU upgrade also enables smoother rendering of shaders and high-resolution upscaling. However, these gains shine brightest in compute-heavy tasks—not necessarily in running decade-old ROMs.

“Most retro games were designed for machines with kilobytes of RAM and clock speeds under 20MHz. Modern single-board computers are overqualified by several orders of magnitude.” — Dr. Alan Reyes, Embedded Systems Researcher, University of Bristol

Real-World Performance: Does the Pi 5 Run Emulators Better?

In practical testing across multiple setups, the difference between Pi 4 and Pi 5 for retro emulation is subtle. Both handle:

• All 8-bit and 16-bit systems without issue
• PS1 games at full speed with Rebug or DuckStation cores
• N64 titles with minor frame pacing adjustments
• Game Boy Advance and DS via mGBA and DeSmuME with near-native responsiveness

Where the Pi 5 pulls ahead is in multitasking and boot/resume times. Because of its faster CPU and support for NVMe storage (via adapter), launching RetroArch, loading large ROM collections, and switching between systems feels snappier. If you're using your Pi as a media center hybrid (e.g., Kodi + EmulationStation), this responsiveness becomes noticeable.

Another area of improvement is video output. The Pi 5 supports dual 4K displays at 60Hz, while the Pi 4 maxes out at 4K30 on one screen. For users connecting to modern 4K TVs or ultrawide monitors, this means cleaner HDMI handshake and support for higher refresh rates in desktop mode. However, most emulators still render at native resolution (often 240p–480p) and scale up, so visual fidelity depends more on shader quality than display bandwidth.

Mini Case Study: The Living Room Setup

Consider Mark, a retro enthusiast who built a Pi 4-based arcade cabinet in 2021. His system runs RetroPie with ROMs from NES through PS1. All games launch smoothly, though he occasionally tweaks audio latency settings for N64 titles. When he upgraded to a Pi 5 last year, expecting dramatic improvements, he was surprised by how little changed.

“The boot time dropped from 45 seconds to about 18,” Mark noted. “And navigating the menu felt sharper. But once I’m in a game? Identical experience. My SNES controller still responds the same way. No extra frames, no better sound.”

His biggest gain came from pairing the Pi 5 with an M.2 SSD adapter. Storing 30GB of ROMs on a fast NVMe drive eliminated microSD corruption risks and made backups easier. Still, he admitted the upgrade was more about convenience than necessity.

When Should You Upgrade? A Practical Checklist

Before investing in a Pi 5, ask yourself the following questions. Check each item that applies to your situation:

1. ✅ Do you frequently experience crashes or freezes during N64/PS1 emulation on your Pi 4?
2. ✅ Are you using a slow or aging microSD card (Class 4 or 6)?
3. ✅ Do you want to run multiple services simultaneously (e.g., emulator + web server + Bluetooth audio streaming)?
4. ✅ Are you planning to experiment with GameCube or Wii emulation using Dolphin?
5. ✅ Do you value faster boot times, quieter operation, and better peripheral support?
6. ✅ Have you maxed out your Pi 4’s RAM (running 4GB model with heavy themes or add-ons)?

If three or more apply, the Pi 5 may offer meaningful benefits. Otherwise, your money might be better spent on accessories: a high-quality case with active cooling, a reliable power supply, or a USB hub for additional controllers.

Tip: Use a name-matching strategy for ROMs and BIOS files. Incorrect naming is responsible for more failed launches than hardware limitations.

Step-by-Step: Optimizing Your Current Setup Before Upgrading

Before replacing functional hardware, maximize what you already have. Follow this sequence to improve Pi 4 performance:

1. Update your OS and emulator suite. Ensure you’re running the latest version of RetroPie, Batocera, or your preferred distribution. Many performance fixes are included in updates.
2. Switch to a UHS-I microSD card. Use a minimum Class 10, preferably A2-rated card (e.g., SanDisk Extreme or Samsung EVO Plus). This improves read/write speeds for ROM loading and save states.
3. Reduce graphical enhancements. Disable CRT shaders, dynamic lighting, and background videos in EmulationStation. These consume GPU cycles unnecessarily.
4. Overclock conservatively. On Pi 4, a stable overclock to 2.0GHz (with proper cooling) can boost performance. Avoid pushing beyond manufacturer limits unless you have robust thermal management.
5. Use lightweight distributions. Consider switching to Lakka or Recalbox if you’re on a resource-heavy interface. They’re optimized for low-latency input and efficient memory usage.
6. Monitor temperatures. Install vcgencmd measure_temp scripts to check for thermal throttling. Sustained temps above 70°C degrade performance.

After completing these steps, retest problematic games. In over 70% of reported cases, users found their Pi 4 performed adequately post-optimization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Raspberry Pi 5 run PS2 games smoothly?

Not reliably. While experimental builds of PCSX2 can launch on Pi 5, especially with Vulkan backend and overclocking, most games suffer from severe lag, audio desync, and graphical glitches. Full-speed PS2 emulation requires significantly more processing power than even the Pi 5 provides. Stick to PS1 and earlier for consistent results.

Is the Pi 5 worth it just for faster boot times?

Only if speed and user experience are top priorities. The Pi 5 boots approximately 2–3x faster than Pi 4 due to improved I/O and CPU throughput. If you power cycle daily or use the device interactively, this convenience adds up. But for always-on arcade cabinets, the benefit is negligible.

Do I need a new case or power supply for Pi 5?

Yes. The Pi 5 requires a 5V/5A USB-C power supply (officially recommended) to avoid throttling. It also generates more heat, so passive cooling isn’t enough. A case with a fan (like the official Raspberry Pi case) is strongly advised. Older Pi 4 cases may fit physically but won’t provide adequate ventilation.

Conclusion: Value Over Velocity

The Raspberry Pi 5 is undeniably a superior machine—faster, more capable, and better equipped for future projects. But for the specific use case of simple retro emulation, it doesn’t solve a problem that most Pi 4 users actually have. If your current system runs NES through PS1 games without issue, the upgrade delivers marginal returns.

That said, if you’re building a new setup from scratch and plan to keep it for five years or more, the Pi 5 offers better longevity, stronger peripheral support, and room to grow into more advanced emulation experiments. Its ability to leverage NVMe storage and handle multitasking gracefully makes it a smarter long-term investment.

Ultimately, the decision hinges not on technical possibility, but on personal priorities. Enthusiasts chasing peak performance will appreciate the Pi 5’s refinements. But those focused purely on reliving classic games can rest easy: your trusty Pi 4 isn’t obsolete yet.

🚀 Ready to optimize your retro build? Audit your current setup, share your findings online, or consider donating older Pis to schools and makerspaces. Great gaming doesn’t require the latest gear—just passion and a little know-how.