Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Board - Versatile 1.4GHz Single Board

Our review of the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ finds it best suited to hobbyists, educators, and developers who need an affordable, compact single board computer for projects like home servers, media playback, and IoT prototypes. The single biggest reason to buy is the balance of improved processor speed, dual-band wireless and sensible connectivity on a proven platform; this board delivers solid everyday performance and broad accessory support without adding unnecessary complexity.

Key Features

• 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core processor: The Broadcom BCM2837B0 delivers noticeably faster general-purpose performance for applications such as PiDash, light server tasks, and retro gaming emulation.
• Dual-band wireless and Bluetooth 4.2: Built-in 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth LE simplify wireless networking and device pairing without extra adapters.
• Gigabit Ethernet over USB 2.0: Wired networking offers more reliable throughput for a mini server or media streamer, with practical speeds up to the USB 2.0 limit.
• GPIO and camera/display ports: The extended 40-pin GPIO header plus MIPI DSI and CSI connectors make hardware projects and camera integration straightforward.
• HD audio and video outputs: A full-size HDMI port, composite video, and 4-pole stereo output support common displays and sound setups for multimedia projects.
• PoE support: Power over Ethernet capability via a separate PoE HAT allows cleaner deployments for headless servers and installed projects.

Who It's For

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ is ideal for makers building kiosks, OctoPrint 3D printer controllers, lightweight web or file servers, media players, and learning platforms where a compact board with good connectivity matters. Its combination of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet and GPIO makes it versatile for hybrid network-and-hardware projects.

Those who need the absolute latest CPU or high-throughput native Gigabit Ethernet should consider newer SBCs; also users requiring more RAM for heavy multitasking or virtualization will find the 1GB LPDDR2 memory limiting compared with modern alternatives.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong everyday performance from the 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU for common maker and server tasks.
• Flexible connectivity with dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, four USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet for many deployment options.
• Broad accessory and HAT ecosystem, including the option for PoE via a separate HAT for neat installations.

Cons

• The board can run warm under sustained load, so active cooling or a case with ventilation is recommended.
• Limited to 1GB of LPDDR2 RAM, which constrains very memory-heavy applications.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ remains a practical, cost-effective single board computer for hobbyists and light server use thanks to its improved CPU, dual-band wireless, and flexible I/O. It represents strong value for most projects where modest memory and occasional heat under load are acceptable tradeoffs for broad community support and accessory options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the board include a Micro SD card?
No. The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ requires a Micro SD card for the operating system and data; the card is not included.

Can this board be powered over Ethernet?
Yes, it supports PoE but requires a separate PoE HAT to provide power over Ethernet.

Is active cooling required?
Not always, but customers report the board runs warm under sustained load, so a heatsink or case with ventilation is recommended for heavy use.