The Vilros Raspberry Pi 5 16GB Starter Kit includes the board, an actively cooled aluminum case, a 27W USB-C power supply and a 32GB microSD card preloaded with Raspberry Pi OS. You also get an HDMI adapter cable, a quickstart guide and practical accessories. It covers power and storage; bring your own standard HDMI cable and desktop peripherals.
Who should choose 16GB RAM?
Choose 16GB if your application has a clear need for more memory: numerous containers, larger in-memory datasets, development environments, or memory-heavy local services. For light projects and ordinary desktop use, 4GB or 8GB may provide better value. The 16GB board has more RAM, not a faster CPU or GPU.
What's included
- 1 x Raspberry Pi 5 single-board computer with 16GB RAM.
- 1 x aluminum case with passive cooling and a PWM-controlled fan.
- 1 x 32GB Class 10 microSD card preloaded with Raspberry Pi OS.
- 1 x Vilros 27W, 5V/5A-compatible USB-C power supply for Raspberry Pi 5.
- 1 x standard HDMI female to micro HDMI male adapter cable.
- 1 x Vilros Quickstart Guide.
- 1 x Vilros neoprene parts storage bag with pocket.
- 1 x LIR2032 RTC battery connector for Raspberry Pi 5 (battery not included).
- 1 x 120mm mini-to-standard camera module adapter cable (camera not included).
What else do I need?
A full-length standard HDMI cable is NOT included. The kit contains an adapter cable with a standard HDMI female connection; connect your own HDMI cable to reach a monitor. A monitor, keyboard, and mouse are also sold separately. The RTC battery connector does not include a battery, and the camera adapter cable does not include a camera.
Getting started
Assemble the aluminum cooling case and insert the Raspberry Pi OS microSD card. Connect your own HDMI cable through the included adapter if using a monitor. Plug in a keyboard and mouse if needed. Connect the included 27W USB-C power supply last, then follow the first-run Raspberry Pi OS setup.
Raspberry Pi 5 technical specifications
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Processor: Broadcom BCM2712, 2.4GHz quad-core 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76.
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Memory: LPDDR4X RAM, with capacity determined by the board selected on this page.
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Graphics: VideoCore VII GPU; hardware HEVC video decoding up to 4K at 60fps.
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Display: two micro HDMI outputs, supporting two 4K displays at up to 60Hz with HDR.
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USB: two USB 3.0 ports (up to 5Gbps each) and two USB 2.0 ports.
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Networking: Gigabit Ethernet; dual-band 2.4/5GHz 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 5.0 and BLE.
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Storage: microSD card slot supporting high-speed SDR104 mode; other boot/storage options can be used with compatible hardware and configuration.
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Expansion: 40-pin GPIO header; PCIe 2.0 x1 connection (separate adapter or HAT required).
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Camera and display: two 4-lane MIPI camera/display connectors; compatible cameras and cables sold separately unless listed in the kit.
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Power: USB-C input. A 5V/5A-capable 27W power supply is recommended for normal peripheral headroom.
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Other: on-board power button and real-time clock (an external battery is needed to keep the clock running while unplugged).
Frequently asked questions
Will I have everything needed to power on and use it?
A Pi 5-compatible power supply and preloaded microSD card are included. To connect a standard HDMI monitor, you still need your own HDMI cable because this kit supplies an adapter cable, not a full HDMI-to-HDMI lead.
Does a Raspberry Pi 5 need an operating system?
Yes. Raspberry Pi OS is a common choice. The board can start from a prepared microSD card; alternatives such as supported USB or NVMe storage require suitable hardware and configuration. The exact storage included depends on the kit.
Is the RAM the same as the microSD card capacity?
No. RAM is working memory used while programs run. The microSD card holds the operating system, programs, and files. For example, an 8GB Pi with a 128GB microSD card has 8GB of RAM and a separate 128GB storage card.
Will more RAM make the Raspberry Pi 5 processor faster?
No. The 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB versions use the same 2.4GHz quad-core processor family. More RAM can prevent slowdowns when an application runs out of memory, but it does not raise the CPU or GPU clock speed.
Can I use the Pi 5 without a monitor?
Yes. It can run headless for servers, automation, and network projects when the operating system and remote access are configured. A monitor, keyboard, and mouse are useful for a normal desktop setup.
Can I connect two monitors?
Yes. The Pi 5 has two micro HDMI outputs and supports up to 4K at 60Hz on each with compatible displays and cables. Only the Complete Kit listed here includes two full micro HDMI-to-HDMI cables.
Can I add cameras, PCIe storage, or Power over Ethernet?
Yes, with the correct accessories. Cameras use the Pi 5 MIPI connectors and compatible cables. PCIe storage requires a suitable adapter or HAT; PoE+ needs a compatible PoE+ HAT. These accessories are not included unless explicitly listed.
Can I increase the RAM later?
No. RAM is not a user-upgradeable component. Select the capacity that fits your expected workloads when buying the board.
Compare all four kit options
| Kit |
Board/cooling |
OS microSD |
Power |
Display connection |
Quickstart guide |
USB card adapter |
| Board Only |
Pi 5 board |
No |
No |
No |
No |
No |
| Essentials |
Pi 5 + clear fan-cooled case + heatsinks |
32GB, Pi OS preloaded |
No |
HDMI adapter only |
No |
No |
| Starter |
Pi 5 + actively cooled aluminum case |
32GB, Pi OS preloaded |
Yes, 27W |
HDMI adapter cable only |
Yes |
No |
| Complete |
Pi 5 + actively cooled aluminum case |
128GB, Pi OS preloaded |
Yes, 27W |
Two 5ft HDMI cables |
Yes |
Yes |
Pi 5 board
Pi 5 + clear case and accessories
Pi 5 + metal case and accessories
Pi 5 + metal case and full accessory bundle
