Raspberry Pi's new single-board computer, Compute Module 3, is cheaper than the last. This is designed for industrial applications and in order to make use of it, buyers would first need to design a product with a slot on the circuit board to accommodate it, which will take time.
According to PC World, the Compute Module 3 has a four-core, 64-bit Broadcom BCM2837 processor and 1GB of RAM, similar to the credit-card-sized Raspberry Pi 3. But it does not have a Wi-Fi. Also, it is smaller by half the size and it also does not have the Ethernet, USB, SD Card and display sockets.
Compute Module 3 should be able to replace the CM1, but CM3 is a 1mm taller than CM1. Also, the processor can draw significantly more current, which could lead to it running much hotter when the CPU is under heavy load. This means that CM-based appliances may need to be redesigned to remove the additional heat since CM3 will throttle the processor's core frequency when the temperature exceeds 85C.
Digital Trends reported that for designers who would want to create their own storage solutions, Raspberry Pi Foundation offers the Compute Module 3 Lite. It has the same basic design minus the storage. This allows for an eMMC device or SD card to be added.
The Compute Module 3 includes typical applications like large-format displays from NEC's European division. Regarding connectivity, the Compute Module Board 3 can be plugged in that offers power, HDMI and USB connections, and the ability to program the unit's flash memory.
Compute Module 3 costs $30, while the Lite costs $25, excluding shipping and tax. Raspberry Pi Foundation's COO, James Adams said that the idea of the Compute Module was to "provide an easy and cost-effective route to producing customized products based on the Pi hardware and software platform."
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