LOGO

raspberry pi foundation releases case fan to prevent overheating

AVATAR Romain Dillet
Romain Dillet
Senior Reporter
•November 30, 2020
Topics:HardwareRaspberry PiRaspberry Pi Foundation
raspberry pi foundation releases case fan to prevent overheating

The Raspberry Pi Foundation announced a new product launch today: a compact $5 cooling fan, paired with a miniature heatsink, specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi 4. This accessory is designed to fit neatly within the official case, positioned beneath the upper shell. The addition of this component aims to safeguard the Raspberry Pi against overheating issues.

For those unfamiliar, the Raspberry Pi is a remarkably affordable, single-board computer, equipped with numerous connectors, and comparable in size to a standard deck of playing cards. It’s an excellent tool for introducing children to the world of programming and terminal interaction, and also serves as a versatile computing core for personal projects and various other applications.

The Raspberry Pi 4 represents the latest iteration of the Raspberry Pi in its traditional design. It delivers a substantial boost in performance when compared to its predecessor, the Raspberry Pi 3.

However, soon after its introduction last year, Raspberry Pi users began reporting a tendency for the device to run warm. In certain instances, the heat generated would become significant enough to trigger CPU frequency throttling, reducing performance to prevent damage.

This issue is particularly apparent when utilizing the official case, which can restrict airflow. Over the last year, the Foundation addressed this concern with a software update concentrating on power efficiency.

While this software solution provided improvements in some scenarios, it wasn’t a complete resolution for all use cases. Many users consistently demand substantial computing power from their Raspberry Pi devices for extended durations.

Although several third-party cases incorporating larger heatsinks are available, the Raspberry Pi Foundation previously lacked a dedicated solution to this problem.

The Foundation states that the new, small fan should be sufficient to eliminate CPU throttling. “Air is drawn in through the USB and Ethernet ports, directed across a small finned heatsink connected to the processor, and then expelled through the SD card slot,” explains the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

This fan represents a cost-effective, interim solution. However, it is hoped that the Foundation will place a high priority on improved heat management in future Raspberry Pi models.

#raspberry pi#case fan#overheating#cooling#raspberry pi foundation#pi 4

Romain Dillet

Romain Dillet served as a Senior Reporter for TechCrunch until April 2025. He authored more than 3,500 pieces focusing on technology and emerging tech companies, becoming a recognized and respected commentator within the European technology landscape. His expertise encompasses a broad range of areas, including startups, artificial intelligence, financial technology, data protection, cybersecurity, blockchain technology, mobile technology, social media, and the media industry. Having spent thirteen years with TechCrunch, he became a well-known figure at the publication renowned for its comprehensive coverage of Silicon Valley and the broader technology sector – he initially joined TechCrunch at the age of 21. Situated in Paris, he is widely regarded by many within the tech community as a highly informed technology reporter. Romain has a talent for identifying promising startups at an early stage. He was the first journalist to report on Revolut, Alan, and N26. He also broke stories regarding significant acquisitions made by Apple, Microsoft, and Snap. Beyond his writing, Romain also possesses skills as a software developer, giving him insight into the technical aspects of the technologies he covers. He also maintains a comprehensive understanding of the history of computing over the last half-century, allowing him to effectively analyze the connections between new developments and their societal impact. Romain is an alumnus of Emlyon Business School, a prominent French business school with a specialization in entrepreneurship. He has also contributed his time and expertise to various charitable organizations, including StartHer, which focuses on advancing education and empowerment for women in the technology field, and Techfugees, an organization dedicated to assisting displaced individuals through the use of technology.
X🦋🐘in
Romain Dillet