Note: The Compute Module is meant for industrial applications, it is NOT beginner-friendly. Please check Raspberry Pi 4 Model B for the same powerful processor which comes with easy-to-get-started features.

Note: This page offers several options based on Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (no wireless, 2GB RAM and onboard 16GB of eMMC) and kits. Please choose the preferred option:

Raspberry Pi CM4 Board ONLY	CM4 with PoE IO Board Kit	CM4 with Official IO Board Kit
CM4 with Mini Base Kit	CM4 with PiTray Mini Kit	CM4 with Maker Board Kit

With the launch of the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (1GB, 2GB, 4GB) last year (2019) and the 8GB RAM version in May this year (2020), everyone has been asking for Compute Module 4. Now, the waiting is over.

And here is the discussion from the Raspberry Pi Foundation about the CM4:

And here is our introduction to the CM4, a comparison to CM3+, Raspberry Pi 4B, the CM4 IO board, and also Antenna Kit:

Compute Module 4 is officially launched on 19th October 2020 with the same or better spec, and there are 32 variants of the module to choose from. This product page lists Compute Module 4 which comes WITHOUT Wireless, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, and the kits

The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) and Compute Module 4 Lite (CM4Lite) are loosely based on the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. The CM4 has an option for cost-sensitive applications to be supplied without the eMMC fitted; this version is called the CM4Lite. The form factor of the new CM4 and CM4L is different from previous Compute modules, which have all shared a form factor. The change is due to the addition of new interfaces; a second HDMI, PCIe, and Ethernet. The addition of these new interfaces, especially PCIe, would not have been possible while preserving the older form factor. Instead, the electrical interface of the CM4 is via two 100-pin high-density connectors. While the switch to a newer form factor has allowed a reduction in the footprint. The total footprint of the CM4, including the socket, is smaller with the new form factor design.

The back of CM4. The electrical interface of the CM4 is via two 100-pin high-density connectors at the back of the PCB.

Here is the top view of CM4 with Wireless and onboard eMMC:

Compute Module 4 with built-in Wireless and eMMC

Other Accessories:

Full-Size HDMI Cable

Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 extended all the peripheral pins via the two 100-pin connectors, including the HDMI ports. The carrier boards that are bundled in the kits extend the HDMI to a full-size HDMI port and you might need this cable. The HDMI port is capable of delivering 1 x 4Kp60 or 2 x 4Kp30 multimedia. Do get it separately if you do not have one.

What Will You Need to Get Started?

Since there are quite significant upgrades on Compute Module 4 compares to its pre-successor (CM3 or CM3+), here are our recommendations for the existing user, maker, and engineer:

1. Compute Module 4 itself, this is the motherboard that is similar to Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, but in compact form factor and comes with more variations. This page is for CM4 and comes WITHOUT Wireless, 2GB RAM, and onboard 16GB eMMC Flash memory.
2. If you need a carrier board, please consider getting the kit with either the official IO board, Mini Base A board, or PiTray mini board.
3. Since this is the Compute Module 4 with onboard wireless, you might want to get an external antenna for it.
   • Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 U.FL Antenna Kit, supports dual-band frequencies.
   • Compatible Dual-band Antenna for CM4, alternative antenna
4. Power Adapter for the carrier board, since the CM4 break out the pin through two tiny 100-pin high-density connectors, powering the board should be coming from the IO/carrier board. Here are the compatible power supply adapter, depending on the IO/carrier board that you use:
   • Adapter 12V 2A DC Barrel Plug 5.5mm*2.1mm, UK Plug
   • 17.5W Universal 5V 3.5A USB-C PSU - UK, US, EU Plug
5. With full-size HDMI ports on the IO/carrier board, You can grab :
   • Official Raspberry Pi HDMI to HDMI cable, white, 1 meter
   • Or use the standard HDMI cable that comes with your TV or monitor :)
6. A heatsink to dissipate extra heat generated by CM4 operation might be good too. Do check out this heatsink designed for CM4 with an antenna opening.
7. And you might need the keyboard and mouse to navigate and work on the CM4 once it boots into Operating System.

USB Devices Not Working?

By default, the USB 2.0 hub on CM4 IO Board and the Carrier Board is disabled in the Raspberry Pi OS, this is to save power. So you will need to edit a file in the eMMCin order to enable the USB ports on the board. Else, the USB keyboard or mouse will not be able to function, so don't be surprised.

To enable the USB 2.0 ports on the Compute Module 4, you need to edit the boot config file (/boot/config.txt) and add:

dtoverlay=dwc2,dr_mode=host

Then reboot the Pi. Now you should be able to use the built-in USB 2.0 ports!

Note: Do follow the guide by Jeff Geerling in his video or blog post, you should be able to get the CM4 with eMMC boot up successfully.

Features and Spec CM4 Wireless, 8GB RAM, 8GB eMMC:

• Processor: Broadcom BCM2711, Quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz
• H.265 (HEVC) (up to 4kp60 decode), H.264 (up to 1080p60 decode, 1080p30 encode)
• OpenGL ES 3.0 graphics
• 2GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM
• 16GB eMMC Flash memory
  • Peak eMMC bandwidth 100MBytes/s (four times faster than previous Compute modules)
• WITHOUT Wireless
• Gigabit Ethernet PHY supporting IEEE 1588
• 1 x PCIe 1-lane Host, Gen 2 ( 5Gbps )
• 1 x USB 2.0 port ( highspeed )
• 28 x user GPIO supporting either 3.3V or 1.8V signaling and various interface options:
  • Up to 6 x UART
  • Up to 6 x I²C
  • Up to 5 x SPI
  • 1 x SDIO interface
  • 1 x DPI (Parallel RGB Display)
  • 1 x PCM
  • Up to 2 x PWM channels
  • Up to 3 x GPCLK outputs
• 2 x HDMI 2.0 ports (up to 4kp60 supported)
• MIPI DSI:
  • 1 x 2-lane MIPI DSI display port
  • 1 x 4-lane MIPI DSI display port
• MIPI CSI-2:
  • 1 x 2-lane MIPI CSI camera port
  • 1 x 4-lane MIPI DSI camera port
• 1 x SDIO 2.0 (CM4Lite only)
• Single +5VDC Power Supply Unit input
• Small Footprint 55mm x 40mm x 4.7mm with 4 x M2.5 mounting holes

• Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 Board:
  • 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 No Wireless, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC

• PoE IO Board Kit with CM4, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, WITHOUT Wireless
  • 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC No Wireless
  • 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 PoE IO Board
  • 1 x 12V 2A Power Adapter, UK Plug
  • 1 x USB micro B cable
  • 4 x Mini Jumper with a long tail
  • 1 x CR2032 Coin Cell Battery

• Raspberry Pi Official CM4 IO Board Kit with CM4, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, No Wireless
  • 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC No Wireless
  • 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 IO Board
  • 1 x 12V 2A Power Adapter, UK Plug
  • 1 x USB micro B cable
  • 4 x Mini Jumper with a long tail
  • 1 x CR2032 Coin Cell Battery

• Mini Base A Board Kit with CM4, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, No Wireless
  • 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC No Wireless
  • 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 Mini Base A Board
  • 1 x 17.5W 5V 3.5A USB-C Universal Power Adapter - UK-EU-US Plug
  • 1 x USB C cable

• PiTray Mini Board Kit with CM4, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC, No Wireless
  • 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC No Wireless
  • 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 PiTray Mini Board
  • 1 x 17.5W 5V 3.5A USB-C Universal Power Adapter - UK-EU-US Plug
  • 1 x USB C cable

• CM4 Maker Board Kit with CM4, 2G RAM, 16GB eMMC, No Wireless
  • 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, 2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC No Wireless
  • 1 x CM4 Maker Board Board
    • 1 x Cytron CM4 Carrier Board
    • 1 x footers, 4 in a set
  • 1 x Cytron USB-C 5V 3.5A Power Adapter
  • 1 x High-Speed HDMI Cable 1.5m
  • 1 x USB C cable

• Compute Module 4 Product Brief
• Compute Module 4 datasheet
• Compute Module 4 STEP file
• Compute Module 4 Lite (without eMMC) STEP file
• CM4 IO board datasheet
• How to flash Raspberry Pi OS onto the Compute Module 4 eMMC with usbboot, by Jeff Geerling with video
• Mini Base Board WiKi page, by Waveshare
• BCM2711 (Processor SoC) Peripherals
• Raspberry Pi Getting Started by raspberrypi.org
• Raspberry Pi Projects and tutorials