The latest Raspberry Pi 500+ has sparked excitement in the tech community, particularly after software engineer and modder Jeff Geerling successfully enhanced its capabilities. Geerling has enabled the single-board computer to support an external RX 7900 XT graphics card, significantly boosting its gaming potential.
The Raspberry Pi 500+ is an upgrade from its predecessor, featuring a mechanical RGB keyboard, increased RAM from 8 GB to 16 GB of LPDDR4x, and a new NVMe M.2 slot. This M.2 slot, typically intended for SSDs, instead served as a connection point for a PCI Express device, allowing Geerling to integrate a powerful external graphics card.
Geerling’s innovative setup utilized an OCuLink cable, an external GPU dock, and the RX 7900 XT, requiring just 15 additional lines of code to adapt the Linux drivers for the GPU. His efforts resulted in the ability to run demanding games, including Cyberpunk 2077, albeit with some limitations due to the Pi 500+’s modest specifications.
Performance Insights and Gaming Experience
Despite the impressive capabilities of the RX 7900 XT, the Raspberry Pi 500+ features a 2.4 GHz quad-core processor and only a single Gen 3 PCIe lane, which may restrict performance in high-end gaming scenarios. Nonetheless, Geerling demonstrated the system’s potential by successfully running Horizon Chase Turbo at 118 frames per second through the use of Box64, an x86 emulator designed for Arm64 architectures.
This isn’t Geerling’s first foray into enhancing Raspberry Pi’s performance. Last year, he managed to run Doom 3 at 60 frames per second in 4K resolution, showcasing his expertise in maximizing the capabilities of this compact computer. His recent project highlights not just technical skill, but also the potential of the Raspberry Pi 500+ to cater to gaming enthusiasts who seek more than basic functionalities.
Future of Raspberry Pi Modding
The neatness of Geerling’s solution stands out, particularly the minimal amount of code required to achieve such significant results. This development could inspire other hobbyists to explore possibilities with their Raspberry Pi devices, encouraging a wave of modding creativity.
While Geerling’s setup may not allow for every high-end gaming experience, it opens the door for innovative uses of the Raspberry Pi 500+, enticing both seasoned developers and newcomers alike. With the right tools and knowledge, the Raspberry Pi can evolve from a simple educational tool into a versatile gaming platform.
As Raspberry Pi continues to release new models, the community eagerly anticipates further advancements and modifications. Geerling’s work exemplifies the spirit of innovation within the modding community, proving that even small devices can achieve remarkable feats when combined with creativity and technical know-how.
