Pi 5 Complete Kit Instructions

Watch the instruction video

Follow our comprehensive setup guide for the Pi 5 Complete Kit:

The video provides a full walkthrough from unboxing to first boot, covering all kit components and accessories.

Kit contents

Your Vilros Pi 5 Complete Kit includes:

Raspberry Pi 5 board (4GB or 8GB RAM depending on variant)
27W USB-C power supply (official or high-quality compatible)
MicroSD card with pre-loaded Raspberry Pi OS
Micro-HDMI to HDMI cable (×2 for dual-monitor support)
Protective case with cooling solution (fan or heatsink)
USB keyboard and mouse
Official Raspberry Pi Beginner's Guide (book or digital)
GPIO reference card
Heat sinks or Active Cooler (depending on kit configuration)
Ethernet cable (optional)

Verify all components are present before beginning assembly.

Assembly & connections

Install cooling: If your kit includes heat sinks, apply them to the Raspberry Pi 5's main chips. If it includes the Active Cooler, install it according to the cooler's instructions before placing the Pi in the case.
Install in case: Place the Pi 5 into the protective case, aligning all ports with case openings. If the case has a fan, connect it to the Pi 5's fan header. Close and secure the case.
Insert microSD card: Insert the pre-loaded microSD card into the slot on the underside of the Pi 5.
Connect display: Connect your monitor(s) using the micro-HDMI to HDMI cable(s). For a single display, use HDMI0 (the port nearest the USB-C power port).
Connect peripherals: Plug in the included USB keyboard and mouse.
Optional Ethernet: Connect the Ethernet cable for wired internet access.
Connect power: Plug the 27W USB-C power supply into an outlet, then connect to the Pi 5. The system will boot automatically.

Dual-display setup: Raspberry Pi 5 supports dual 4K displays. Connect two monitors to HDMI0 and HDMI1 for extended desktop or mirrored displays.

First-time configuration

On first boot, Raspberry Pi OS will launch the setup wizard:

Regional settings: Select your country, language, timezone, and keyboard layout.
Create user: Set a username and strong password. This replaces the default pi user on newer installations.
WiFi setup: If not using Ethernet, select your wireless network and enter the password.
Software updates: Allow the system to download and install available updates. This may take 5-10 minutes depending on connection speed and update size.
Reboot: The system will reboot after updates complete.

After setup, explore the Raspberry Pi desktop, pre-installed applications, and the Recommended Software menu for additional programs.

Next steps

Your Raspberry Pi 5 is ready to use. Here are some ways to get started:

Learn programming: Try Thonny (Python IDE), Scratch, or Geany for coding projects.
Explore GPIO: Connect sensors, LEDs, or HATs to the 40-pin GPIO header. See our Introduction to GPIO guide.
Build projects: Browse the Projects section for ideas like retro gaming, home automation, or robotics.
Join the community: Visit the Raspberry Pi forums or Vilros support portal for help and inspiration.

Included Beginner's Guide: Your kit includes the Official Raspberry Pi Beginner's Guide (book or PDF), which covers Python basics, GPIO projects, and Scratch programming. This is an excellent resource for newcomers.