Introduction:

Hello everyone. In today’s episode, we are going to be setting up the Raspberry Pi 5 from scratch. I’ll walk you through the essential hardware, how to connect everything together and install an operating system so your Raspberry Pi 5 is ready to go.

https://youtu.be/UMdgsOwI5aw?si=bKdu4K5C4W9D8S0H

Alright, if you're ready, let’s jump straight in and take a look at what you need to get your Raspberry Pi 5 set up.

Hardware you will need to get started on your Raspberry PI 5:

Before we get started with connecting the Raspberry Pi 5, let's first go over the hardware you’ll need.

Raspberry Pi 5 board:

The first and most important component is drum role… (of course) is the Raspberry Pi 5. The ultimate beast.
Available in three RAM options: 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB. If you’re working on lightweight projects or on a budget, the 2GB or 4GB models will be perfect. But for heavier tasks like running multiple containers or virtual machines, the 8GB version is the best choice.

►Buy A Raspberry Pi 5 8GB

Micro SD Card:

Next up is the Micro SD card.

This is where the operating system and files will be stored. I recommend a Class 10 microSD card with at least 32GB of storage. The “Class 10” rating ensures fast read/write speeds, which is essential for smoother performance. If you plan on doing more data-intensive tasks, you might want to go even higher with a 64GB or 128GB card.

►Buy A Micro SD Card.

NVMe Options:

However, with the Raspberry Pi 5’s new PCI Express 2.0 port, you also have the option of using an NVMe drive for storage, which can provide significantly faster read and write speeds compared to an SD card. This requires an NVMe HAT (Hardware Attached on Top), and there are a few options available.

We will be looking in more detail at installing NVMe HATs in an upcoming episode on our YouTube Channel, where I will also compare the official Raspberry Pi M.2 HAT with the Pimoroni NVMe HAT, discussing why you may choose one over the other.

So, if you’re planning to install your operating system onto an NVMe drive instead of the SD card, you might want to wait for that episode.

Power Supply:

It’s crucial to use the correct power supply for the Raspberry Pi 5 to ensure smooth performance and avoid instability.

The Raspberry Pi 5 requires a USB-C power supply capable of delivering 5 volts and 5 amps. While older Raspberry Pi 4 power supplies might work, they may not provide enough current for the Pi 5, especially if you're using accessories like USB devices that draw power directly from the board. To avoid random shutdowns or power issues, ensure your power supply meets these specifications.

The official recommendation is a 27W USB-C power supply that ensures stable performance across all connected devices​.

My recommendation is to use the Official Raspberry Pi USB C Power Supply adapter.
Which is what I have here

This end goes into the USB-C port on the Raspberry Pi 5 and the other end goes into the wall of course.

►Official Raspberry Pi 5 Power Supply

Micro HDMI to HDMI cable:

Next we will be looking at the Micro HDMI to HDMI cable.

You’ll need this to connect the Pi to your monitor or TV. The Pi 5 has two micro HDMI ports, both supporting 4k at 60hz so you can use dual displays if needed.

This single cable connects the Raspberry Pi 5 to your display.

Be sure to grab a micro HDMI to standard HDMI cable if you plan to use a regular monitor or TV as your display.

Which leads us nicely onto the Display or monitor.

Display or monitor:

If you have chosen to use a desktop operating system with a graphical user interface (GUI), such as Raspberry Pi OS, you’ll need to connect a display or monitor to your Raspberry Pi to access the OS interface.

Any HDMI-capable monitor will work, but I recommend using a 1080p display for the best balance between clarity and performance. A 1080p resolution provides a crisp, sharp interface that’s easy on the eyes without overloading the Raspberry Pi’s resources. While the Raspberry Pi 5 does support up to 4K at 60Hz, using 4K might not be necessary unless you need the extra resolution for specific tasks, as it can demand more processing power and may slow down the system during more intensive tasks.

Case (optional):

Next we will be discussing the pros and cons of using a case.

Using a case is highly recommended to protect your Raspberry Pi 5 from dust, accidental damage, and general wear and tear. Additionally, cases with built-in cooling solutions, such as fans or heatsinks, are essential if you're planning to run intensive tasks like ai, media streaming, gaming, or server-based workloads. These tasks can cause the Raspberry Pi 5 to generate significant heat, especially since this model tends to run hotter than previous versions​ under load.

However, cases can complicate things if you plan to use extra components like HATs or need access to the GPIO pins or cable connectors. Most cases are designed primarily to house the Raspberry Pi 5 itself, and some may only accommodate a single fan for cooling.

Because of this, you need to be careful when selecting a case, especially if you plan to use external accessories. Cases can block or restrict access to the GPIO pins, cable connectors, and even specific HATs. We’ll dive deeper into HAT compatibility and case design in a future episode.

Another key consideration is cooling. While active cooling solutions (like fans) are essential for managing heat, certain cases can limit your options. For example, the official Raspberry Pi 5 case comes with a standard fan so it doesn’t support the use of the official Active Cooler, So keep that in mind if you plan to use the active cooler on the official raspberry pi 5 case.

For my setup, I chose the Pibow Coupe 5 case by Pimoroni.

This open-frame design allows for better heat dissipation, and it leaves the GPIO pins and cable connectors easily accessible. Although this case doesn’t offer complete protection like fully enclosed models, it provides much better airflow, which can help maintain lower temperatures during heavy use. I haven’t tested it extensively with additional components yet, but I’ll cover that in more detail in a future episode.

If you're opting for a case, consider your use case carefully—whether it's for cooling, protection, or compatibility with add-ons. For now, this case provides a great balance between accessibility and thermals, though it can be a little fiddly when inserting cables.

Ethernet cable/Wi-Fi setup:

Lets connect the Raspberry Pi to the network.

While the Raspberry Pi 5 has built-in Wi-Fi (supporting 802.11ac), I recommend using an Ethernet cable. This will make for a stable and faster internet connection which will speed up the installation time.

Next, connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the Raspberry Pi. Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into your router or switch.

To ensure you’re getting the best performance, use a Category 5e (Cat 5e) or Category 6 (Cat 6) Ethernet cable, as these cables support gigabit Ethernet speeds (1 Gbps) by using all four twisted pairs inside the cable. Older cables, such as Cat 5, might only support 100 Mbps if they don't have the full set of twisted pairs, which could limit your network speed.

If you are using an older network hub or switch, it may also only support 100 Mbps, so it’s worth checking to ensure all your networking equipment is gigabit-compatible for the best performance.

However, if Ethernet isn't an option for you, you can easily enable Wi-Fi directly from the Raspberry Pi Imager. I will show you how to enable this shortly when we install the Raspberry Pi OS onto the SD card.

Keyboard and mouse:

Now, let’s connect the keyboard and mouse.

I recommend plugging them into the USB 2.0 ports on the Raspberry Pi 5. This leaves the faster USB 3.0 ports free for other devices, such as external hard drives or SSDs, which can fully utilize the higher transfer speeds of USB 3.0 (up to 5Gbps). By reserving the USB 3.0 ports for storage or high-bandwidth peripherals, you’ll ensure that your setup is optimized for speed and performance.

Preparing SD Card:

Now we have everything connected up correctly.

Let's talk about how to prepare your microSD card for installing Raspberry Pi OS.

If your computer doesn’t have a built-in SD card slot, no worries! You can use a USB adapter like this one from Beikell.

This one is so good I have two of them and it supports USB 3.0 so it takes advantage of the faster USB speeds. The SD card slots into the adapter. Make sure you put it in the correct way around to make sure it doesn't damage the card or reader. You can now plug the adapter directly into your computer’s USB 3.0 port

Alternatively if you do have an SD card slot available on your computer then you can use a micro SD to SD card adapter that comes with most SD cards.

Just insert the adapter into the available slot on your computer.

Now you should be ready to install Raspberry Pi OS onto the SD card.

Installing Raspberry Pi OS:

Now that you’ve got your microSD card connected to your computer, let’s install Raspberry Pi OS onto it.

Download the Raspberry Pi imager application:

Download the Raspberry Pi Imager for your Operating system from here: https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/

Install the application as appropriate for your operating system. In this demonstration we are using Windows 11.

Install the Raspberry Pi imager application:

Once you have it downloaded to your computer click on the .exe file to install the application.

Once the installer opens click on "Install"

Once the installer finishes click on "Finish" to close the installer.

Using the Raspberry Pi imager application:

Next locate the Raspberry Pi Imager application icon from your start menu and open the Raspberry Pi imager application.

You should be greeted with the Raspberry Pi imager splash screen. This is where we will select the operating system and set the configuration settings for our Raspberry Pi 5.

Choose Your Device:

From here click on "Choose Device".

Next In Raspberry Pi devices select the "Raspberry Pi 5".

Select your operating system:

Next, click on "Choose OS".

Next, under Operating System, select Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) if you want the full desktop environment with a graphical user interface (GUI). If you plan to run your Raspberry Pi without a GUI, known as a headless setup, choose Raspberry Pi OS (Other), then select Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit). The Lite version only installs the essential packages, saving both storage space and system resources for better performance.

In order to follow along with our Raspberry Pi 5 series then we recommend to install the Raspberry Pi OS(64-bit) desktop version from here as we will be coding and exploring the desktop. We will be moving into server based setups at a later date.

Choose Storage:

Next under "Choose Storage" you will need to select your microSD card from the list of available devices.

Take care to select the correct storage device as it will format it before it installs Raspberry pi OS and any existing data will be lost.

Click "Next" to move to the next option.

OS Customisation Options:

Now that we have all the correct installation options configured we now need to make some customisations to the operating system.

Click on "Edit Settings" to be taken to the "OS Customisations" settings.

Here, you can:

• Set a hostname for your Raspberry Pi, which will identify it on the network.
• Set username and password. I recommend using something more secure than the default pi user.
• Configure wireless LAN. If you aren’t using an Ethernet connection (Not recommended) You can set up your WIFI settings here by entering your SSID (network name) and password. (Make sure the credentials are valid or it won't connect).
• Set locale settings. Adjust your time zone and keyboard layout to suit your region.

Feel free to set it up with your own custom settings.

Next go to the "Services" tab.

In here tick the box "Enable SSH" and make sure "Use password authentication" is marked.

We will be showing you how to set up public-key authentication in a future episode but for now we just want a basic installation.

Next click on the "Options" tab.

In here we will be turning off telemetry for added privacy. Unless you would like to share data with the Raspberry Pi foundation then you can leave this enabled.

Untick "Enable telemetry"

Once you’ve configured everything, click "Save" and return to the "main "Use OS customisation?" box.

Writing your operating system and settings to your SD card.

Now you are back at the "Use OS customisation?" dialogue box you can proceed to write your OS and settings to your micro SD card.

Click "Yes" to apply the OS customisation settings.

It will now warn you that all existing data on your selected storage device will be erased. Just click "Yes" to proceed.

The Raspberry Pi imager will now start writing your your operating system and settings to your Micro SD card.

This process takes a few minutes. It will first write everything to the micro SD card then it will proceed to verify the installation to make sure there was no corruption in the writing process. It checks the integrity using checksums. This will ensure that the Operating system installation is valid and ready to be used.

Once the installation is complete you should see the "Write Successful" dialogue box. Click "Continue"

Now the OS has been successfully written to your microSD card. You can safely remove it from your computer.

Installing the Micro SD card into your Raspberry Pi 5

Now that we have everything set up correctly it is time to insert your Micro SD card into your Raspberry Pi 5.

To do this turn your Raspberry Pi 5 upside down and place the micro SD card into the port slot located at the rear of the device. Make sure to insert the micro SD card the correct way with the micro SD logo facing away from the device to prevent any damage.

Conclusion:

That’s it for today’s episode! You should now have everything set up correctly. Your Raspberry Pi 5 is now ready for it's first boot.

This article is part of a full series created to guide users of all experience levels, from beginners to advanced, in getting the most out of their Raspberry Pi 5. We will be covering project ideas and other great Raspberry pi content so be sure to keep checking back for updates.

If you are interested in this series it would benefit you to subscribe to our YouTube channel and click the notification bell. That way you will be notified when we upload any new content.

All this leaves me to say is thank you, and I’ll see you in the next one!