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Innovative Raspberry Pi 5 Project: External GPU Integration
Raspberry Pi enthusiasts are known for their creativity, often embarking on technically intriguing yet practically challenging projects. One such project comes from Jeff Geerling, who has successfully connected an older AMD Radeon RX 460 graphics card to the Raspberry Pi 5’s PCI Express bus. This setup allows him to run demanding games like Doom 3 (2004) and Tux Racer at stunning 4K resolution.
The Ingenious Setup
Geerling’s intricate arrangement of adapters and software modifications showcases both his resourcefulness and the adaptability of the Raspberry Pi platform. The Raspberry Pi 5 is equipped with a single PCI Express 2.0 lane primarily intended for external devices, typically M.2 SSDs used for storage expansion. In this case, Geerling utilized the M.2 slot on the device and linked it to an external GPU dock via an M.2-to-Oculink adapter, effectively integrating the graphics card into the system.
Tackling Power Limitations
However, this innovative approach was not without its challenges. The PCIe slot on the Raspberry Pi can only supply a mere 5 watts of power to connected devices—significantly less than the standard 75 watts available from typical desktop motherboard slots for graphics cards. To overcome this limitation, Geerling had to implement an external power source that would adequately supply both the RX 460 and ensure sufficient power delivery through its connection.
This project exemplifies how dedicated hobbyists can push technological boundaries by leveraging existing hardware in novel ways.
