Raspberry Pi 5 2GB RAM Benchmarks: How Fast Is It Really

The Raspberry Pi 5 with 2GB RAM is the most budget‑friendly version of the latest flagship SBC from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. With an updated Broadcom CPU and modern hardware, it promises impressive performance—but how does it actually perform in real benchmarks, and is 2GB enough for your projects? Let’s break it down in detail.

1. Hardware Overview — Same Heart, Less Memory

On paper, the Raspberry Pi 5 2GB version uses the same core CPU and GPU architecture as the higher‑memory variants. This means its clock speeds, instruction set, and IPC performance are identical—the only difference is the amount of RAM available.

What this means

• CPU performance: Should be nearly identical to 4GB and 8GB models in CPU‑bound workloads.
  

• GPU performance: Also the same since graphics resources aren’t limited by RAM size.
  

• Memory ceiling: The system can only use up to ~2 GB of RAM before it must swap to storage, which impacts heavier tasks.

2. Synthetic CPU Benchmarks — Raw Compute Power

In tests where memory size matters less than CPU throughput (e.g., CPU integer math, floating‑point, and multi‑thread workloads), the Raspberry Pi 5 2GB delivers solid numbers:

According to benchmark runs:

• Sysbench CPU scores increase with higher clock rates (up to ~6068 at ~3500 MHz overclocked).
  

• In Geekbench 6 (with increased swap to allow test completion):
  

• Single‑core score: ~893
  

• Multi‑core score: ~1557

These reveal that its raw computation performance is competitive in the single‑board computer space and very capable on its own.

Key takeaway: If your workload is mostly about compute rather than memory, the 2GB Pi 5 performs very close to its higher‑memory siblings.

3. Real‑World Benchmarks — Browser & OS Performance

Synthetic benchmarks are useful, but real use often looks like navigating the web, multitasking apps, and system responsiveness. Here’s how it fairs:

Boot and OS Responsiveness

• Boot times: Around 22 s, roughly the same as the 4 GB and 8 GB Pi 5 models.
  

• OS memory footprint: Fresh boot with desktop environment uses ~642 MB on the 2GB model—slightly higher than other variants but still leaves usable headroom.

Web Browsing Tests

Tom’s Hardware tested both Chromium and Firefox:

• Browser launch speeds were nearly identical across 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB.
  

• In tab opening benchmarks:
  

• Up to 10 tabs: 2GB handles both Chromium and Firefox well.
  

• Between 10–40 tabs: Raspberry Pi 5 2GB begins to struggle, hitting its memory ceiling in Chromium and eventually crashing at high tab counts.
  

• Speedometer JavaScript test showed:
  

• 56 runs per minute in Chromium on the 2GB—slightly lower than the 4GB and 8GB scores.
  

• In Firefox, interestingly, the 2GB scored higher than its bigger siblings (68.6 runs/minute).

Summary: Real browsing performance is excellent up to a moderate session, but heavy multitasking with many tabs saturates the limited memory.

4. File and Storage Tasks

Memory size doesn’t much change storage throughput, but the constraint of RAM means more swapping during heavy I/O:

• File compression (gzip) took:
  

• ~93 s on 2GB
  

• ~75 s on 4GB
  

• ~84 s on 8GB

This is a real indication that memory limits slow down file‑intensive tasks—even if the CPU is capable.

5. Emulation and High‑End Workloads

In emulator tests like Dolphin (GameCube/Wii):

• The 2GB model can run easier games, but performance degrades in more demanding titles.
  

• Compiling the emulator from source on the 2GB model failed due to memory limits, requiring using a different Pi 5 with more RAM.

For many classic console emulators (NES, SNES, Genesis), 2GB is probably sufficient, but for heavier emulation or development tasks, it’s constrained.

6. Benchmarks vs Higher‑RAM Models — What’s the Difference?

Comparisons show some interesting points:

1. CPU & Memory Throughput

Benchmarks like memset, memcpy, and 7‑Zip show only slight differences between 2GB and 8GB variants—often within a few percent.

2. Temperature & Efficiency

When stressed, the 2GB model runs slightly cooler than some 8GB models, likely due to lower memory power and fewer memory chips.

Conclusion: For tasks that don’t exceed 2 GB of working set, performance is nearly indistinguishable from beefier models, thanks to identical CPU/GPU hardware.

7. What Benchmarks Tell Us — Summary of Performance

Where the Raspberry Pi 5 2GB Excels

✅ Daily web browsing with moderate tab use
✅ Lightweight servers (DNS, VPN, proxies)
✅ Basic desktop apps, coding, scripting
✅ Media playback, 1080p/4K30 video
✅ Affordable DIY projects and IoT applications

Where 2GB Might Struggle

⚠️ Heavy multitasking/browser sessions
⚠️ Big data workflows or large file manipulations
⚠️ Compiling large source code directly on device
⚠️ Cutting‑edge AI/ML workloads without offload hardware (like AI RAM HATs)

8. Gaming and Multimedia Benchmarks

While the Raspberry Pi 5 2GB is not designed to replace a gaming PC, it handles retro gaming and multimedia playback surprisingly well:

• Retro Gaming: NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and even some N64 games run smoothly at full speed. More demanding emulators like GameCube/Dolphin or PlayStation 2 can work, but only with lower resolution and frame rates.
  

• Video Playback: The Pi 5 2GB can handle 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps using hardware acceleration, thanks to its updated VideoCore GPU. This makes it a good choice for media centers or streaming setups.
  

• GPU Limitations: GPU-intensive modern 3D games are beyond its capability; you’re limited to lighter OpenGL or Vulkan demos rather than AAA gaming.

Takeaway: Excellent for retro games, media streaming, and educational graphics projects, but not for heavy modern gaming.

9. Power Efficiency and Thermal Performance

Performance isn’t just about speed—efficiency and heat matter for always-on projects:

• Power Consumption: Idle is ~2.4 W, while full CPU load can reach ~8.9 W. This is very efficient for a quad-core ARM system.
  

• Thermal Behavior: The 2GB RAM version runs slightly cooler than the 4GB/8GB models, as fewer memory chips reduce heat output. Under stress tests, throttling is minimal, and a small heatsink/fan can eliminate it entirely.
  

• Implication: Ideal for IoT devices, low-power servers, or projects where continuous operation is required without consuming lots of electricity.

Takeaway: Low power draw and cool operation make it perfect for embedded and always-on scenarios.

10. Suitability for Educational and DIY Projects

The Raspberry Pi 5 2GB shines in educational and maker contexts:

• Learning Programming: Python, C, Scratch, and Java run smoothly. Beginners won’t notice RAM constraints unless running very large programs.
  

• DIY Electronics Projects: Perfect for controlling sensors, robots, home automation, and small IoT networks. GPIO pins, I2C, SPI, and USB support remain identical to the higher RAM models.
  

• Cost-Effectiveness: At its price point, it’s the most accessible way to get the latest Pi hardware without overspending, allowing schools or hobbyists to build multiple units affordably.

Takeaway: If your goal is to learn, experiment, or build small-scale projects, the 2GB model is more than sufficient.

Final Verdict — How Fast Is It Really?

The Raspberry Pi 5 2GB RAM punches well above its weight in compute performance due to powerful underlying hardware. When your projects fit within its 2 GB memory limit, it delivers desktop‑lite experiences and solid server tasks at an unmatched price point.

However, if your work regularly exceeds ~1.5 GB working sets—heavy web multitasking, large compiles, or computing‑intensive pipelines—it will slow down or even crash. In those cases, spending a bit more on a 4GB or 8GB model is worthwhile.