The Raspberry Pi 5 is sold in five RAM configurations, from 1GB to 16GB, and because the memory is soldered, buyers must decide upfront. The source notes that while typical PCs ship with 8GB or more, Raspberry Pi OS is lightweight, using only a few hundred megabytes at idle, so most users need less than they think.
For desktop use, 2GB provides enough headroom for light multitasking and basic games. The 1GB model is still viable for headless operation—running a media server, NAS, smart home hub, or security system without a display—making it the cheapest entry point. However, the source cautions that three or four media-heavy browser tabs can overwhelm 1GB.
The higher-capacity models are harder to justify. The 8GB and 16GB Pi 5 cost $175 and $305 respectively, up from $80 for 8GB at launch due to a RAM shortage. At those prices, the source argues, refurbished business mini PCs with more powerful CPUs, storage, and ports offer better value, despite higher power consumption. For occasional projects, the recommendation is to stick with 1GB or 2GB.