Pineboards announces Modulo series for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and 5

Gist Tech -

Pineboards, maker of the five-star Editor's Choice HatDrive! Nano, has announced three new products in the Modulo series, all based around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 and the older Compute Module 4.

The three Modulo series products are the Modulo5 IO PoE+, the Modulo 4 and Modulo 5.

Modulo5 IO PoE+

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The €47 ($49) Modulo5 IO Po is fully compatible with the official Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 enclosure, with the same port layout. However, as the name suggests, it comes with Power over Ethernet (PoE) support. We get support for NVMe SSDs and PCIe add-ons for AI and, interestingly, support for the official Raspberry Pi 5 Active Cooler.

We're interested in how this board differs from the official CM5 IO Board; the obvious answer is PoE, but we'll learn its secrets soon enough.

  1. 2x Full-size HDMI 2.0 outputs
  2. 1Gbit RJ45 Ethernet (with PoE+ support)
  3. 2x USB 3.0 Type-A (stacked)
  4. USB-C (Power In/OTG)
  5. M.2 2280 M-key slot
  6. 2x MIPI CSI/DSI (4-lane)
  7. microSD Card Slot
  8. 40-pin GPIO Header
  9. Debug Port
  10. RTC Battery Header
  11. PWM Fan Header
  12. Power Button
  13. Boot Mode Switch (To either boot from eMMC/SD, or enter flashing mode)
  14. Status LEDs

Modulo 4

(Image credit: Tom's Har dware)

The €35 ($36) Modulo 4, is designed for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 but it uses a Raspberry Pi 5 layout so you can drop this board into any Raspberry Pi 5 case and get to work. Now, you can re-use those old Compute Module 4s that you have lying around.

Due to space limitations, there is no room for a PoE header, but there is space for a PCIe connector (yes, you can use M.2 / PCIe HATs with the Compute Module 4). You can also use your favorite Raspberry Pi HAT with the board.

The board also features dual camera connectors for use with the Raspberry Pi cameras. You can also use the official Raspberry Pi 5 Active Cooler with this board, and there is a power button. Something that only became a reality with the Raspberry Pi 5.

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  1. 1Gbit RJ45 Ethernet
  2. 4x USB Type-A 2.0
  3. 2x Micro HDMI
  4. USB-C (Power In)
  5. FPC PCIe Connector (compatible with Pi 5 HATs)
  6. 2x MIPI CSI
  7. microSD Card Slot
  8. 40-pin GPIO Header
  9. Raspberry Pi Debug Port
  10. RTC Battery Header
  11. Fan Header

Modulo 5

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

It may look like the Modulo 4, but the €35 ($36) Modulo 5 Basic is geared up for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5. With full Pi 5 add-on compatibility and support for PCIe HATs, this is an intriguing way to use your CM5. There is a fan connection for the official active cooler, PCIe, and dual camera/display connectors

  1. 1Gbit RJ45 Ethernet
  2. 2x USB Type-A 2.0
  3. 2x USB Type-A 3.0
  4. 2x Micro HDMI
  5. USB-C (Power In)
  6. FPC PCIe Connector (compatible with Pi 5 HATs)
  7. 2x MIPI CSI/DSI (4-lane)
  8. microSD Card Slot
  9. 40-pin GPIO Header
  10. Raspberry Pi Debug Port
  11. RTC Battery Header
  12. Fan Header

We've got all three of these in for review, so expect a full breakdown in the coming weeks.