This Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 Carrier Board Cuts the Height to Squeeze Into Slim Projects

Nuremberg-based terioto has launched a new carrier board for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5), and while some compete on footprint has chosen a third dimension in which to lead: height.

"[The] BentoIO CMX2 [is a] low-profile IO [Input/Output] Carrier Board for [the] Raspberry Pi CM5 with heatsink," terioto explains of its creation, which features two board-to-board connectors designed to accept any model in the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 family — the computer-on-module variant of the Raspberry Pi 5 single-board computer.

Unlike the full-fat Raspberry Pi 5, the CM5 range isn't usable as-is: all its input and output capabilities are brought out to a pair of high-density board-to-board connectors on the underside. To actually use it, you need a carrier board — either of Raspberry Pi's design, your own, or a third-party.

The BentIO CMX2 is just such a carrier, breaking out the key peripherals of the Raspberry Pi CM5 for use — but where rival devices, such as the currently-crowdfunding open-hardware Argo CM5 from azlan.works, attempt to minimize the footprint of the combined carrier and module, terioto has instead concentrated on minimizing the device's height.

The carrier board measures 85×85mm (around 3.35×3.35"), which is compact but far from the smallest on the market — but its height is just 11mm (around 0.43"), allowing it to cram into spaces that smaller-footprint but taller carriers simply can't squeeze. Despite this, it includes a good selection of connectivity: a single MIPI Display Serial Interface (DSI) connector, two USB 3.0 Type-C ports with a further two USB 2.0 ports available on an internal header, an M.2 M-key PCI Express slot for Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) storage modules or accelerator coprocessors, and a 40-pin general-purpose input/output (GPIO) header.

For those needing more, an optional daughterboard add-on provides a single HDMI video and audio output plus a wired gigabit Ethernet port. There's also a four-pin fan connector, while a bundled heatsink serves to keep the Broadcom system-on-chip powering the Raspberry Pi CM5 cool under moderate load. There's also a physical power button, a battery connector for the real-time clock (RTC), a button for switching the module into eMMC flashing mode, and a microSD card slot for CM5 Lite boards without on-board eMMC.

More information is available on the terioto website, while assembled boards are available to order on Tindie for $119 including heatsink — but excluding the Raspberry Pi CM5.