Tips for choosing a Raspberry RP2xxx board

Pico Pi Parade

© Lead Image © donatas_1205, 123RF.com

© Lead Image © donatas_1205, 123RF.com

Article from Issue 302/2026
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The Pi Pico chips are pretty cheap, which has made them hugely popular with hobbyists. This overview helps you decide which of these tiny computers to pick for your project.

Makers are delighted with the huge selection of miniature boards, as this gives them access to a broad range of different breakouts. The processor is the most important selection criterion. Although Raspberry Pi's RP2040 is no longer new, it is cheaper than its successor, the RP2350 [1], and the RP2040's speed and memory are fine for many requirements.

The main memory goes hand in hand with the processor. The RP2040 has a standard 256KB, while the RP2350 has at least 520KB. The newer MCU lets you supplement the built-in RAM with external Pseudostatic RAM (PSRAM), whose content is volatile and is lost when the operating voltage is switched off. Although PSRAM is slower than the main memory, it's still far faster than flash. That is why there are also RP2350 boards with an additional 8MB main memory.

This ability proves particularly useful when you need to process large volumes of data, such as those associated with large displays. The other part of the memory, the flash memory, is used to store programs and other data, especially media. Audio and video files in particular can quickly use up the 2MB, but even the maximum possible 16MB does not give you massive scope.

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