Web3 Pi: Recommended Hardware

SSD Drive

2 TB fast drive is required.

For the Raspberry Pi 5, you have three options for storage:

external USB SSD drive (wide availability)
m.2 NVMe drive with NVMe HAT for Raspberry Pi 5 (max performance)
m.2 NVMe drive with USB m.2 adapter

Raspberry Pi 5 has a PCIe x1 connector on board so with a special adapter m.2 NVMe drive can be used. This option gives the maximum possible performance.

For the Raspberry Pi 4, you have two options for storage:

external USB SSD drive (wide availability)
m.2 NVMe drive with USB m.2 adapter

You can also use a USB to SATA adapter plus SSD 2.5" drive.

Note: If you use USB always choose USB 3.0 ports (blue)

Recommended SSD Hardware

*Sample links result from a quick Google search mainly for the reader's convenience & quick price reference; we invite you to do your own research and find local hardware providers.

USB Drive

Brand	Storage	Model	Link*	Comment
Samsung	2 TB	T7 2TB USB 3.2	https://tweakers.net/pricewatch/1560668/samsung-portable-ssd-t7-2tb-grijs/specificaties/	Recommended for most users. Compatible with Raspberry Pi 4 and 5

Tip: Some external disks consume more power than Raspberry Pi can deliver via USB. For Raspberry Pi 5, the max power output of the USB ports is 600mA if you're using a 3A supply, and1600mA if you're using a 5A supply. You can edit /boot/firmware/config.txt and add usb_max_current_enable=1 to disable the current limit. Please read the documentation:

https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html

NVMe Drive

These drives need adapters.

Brand/Model	Controller	Link
Micron M.2 2230 2TB	Silicon Motion SM2269XT	Product page More Info
Sabrent Rocket Q4 2230 2 TB	Phison PS5021-E21T	Product page More Info
Sabrent Rocket 2280 2TB	Phison PS5012-E12S-32	Product page More Info
Samsung 980 Pro 2TB	Samsung Elpis (S4LV003)	Product page More Info
Kingston KC3000 2TB	Phison PS5018-E18-41	Product page More Info
Crucial P5 Plus 2TB	Micron DM02A1	Product page More Info
Crucial P3 2TB	Phison PS5021-E21T	Product page More Info
Kingston NV2 2TB	Silicon Motion SM2267XT	Product page More Info
Teamgroup MP44S 2230 2TB	Phison PS5021-E21	Product page More Info

Note: Double-sided NVMe M.2 memory modules (with memory chips on both sides of the PCB) may not be fully compatible with every adapter due to physical dimensions, specifically the height of the M.2 slot in the adapter/enclosure.

Full compatibility list for Ethereum node

Full compatibility list for Pimoroni adapter

NVMe Hat

NVMe HAT for Raspberry Pi 5

Brand	Link*
Pimoroni	NVMe Base for Raspberry Pi 5
Raspberry Pi m.2 Hat	https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/m2-hat-plus/
Pineboards HatDrive: Bottom	https://pineberrypi.com/products/hatdrive-bottom-2230-2242-2280-for-rpi5
Pineboards HatDrive: Top	https://pineboards.io/products/hat-top-2230-2240-for-rpi5
Pineboards HatDrive: Nano	https://pineboards.io/products/hatdrive-nano-nvme-2230-2242-gen-3-for-raspberry-pi-5
Waveshare 26583	https://www.waveshare.com/pcie-to-m.2-hat-plus.htm

We do not recommend the following:

KAmodRPi5 PCIe-M.2
Geekworm X1001

USB to NVMe adapters

Brand	Link*
ZenWire	https://zenwire.eu/pl/p/Adapter-SSD-M2-NVMESATA-kieszen-na-dysk-obudowa-M.2-USB-C-10-GBs-Zenwire/289
RIITOP	https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0B1HVGBZ3
QOLTEC	https://www.tme.eu/en/details/qoltec-50311/hdd-ssd-accessories/qoltec/50311/

or other similar.

Note: Some M.2 disks are not compatible. Please check the availability list on Pimoroni NVMe Base description.

SD Card Reader and Writer

You will use this on your PC for flashing the boot card. Since this operation takes time, we recommend a high-speed device such as Ugreen 2-in-1 USB 3 SD/TF

MicroSD Card

Flashing a microSD card takes time, but it can be reduced by using a fast device. Additionally, using a fast micro SD card results in a shorter booting time.

You will require at least 32GB capacity.

A few examples:

More Information

Enclosures

Enclosures for Raspberry Pi 5

Brand/Model	Link
Argon NEO 5 M.2 NVMe	Product page Shop
Argon NEO 5(Recommended)	Product page Shop
Argon ONE V3 M.2 NVMe	Product page Shop
Argon ONE V3	Product page Shop

Enclosures for Raspberry Pi 4B

Brand/Model	Comment	Link
Case justPi	assembly instructions	Product page Shop
Argon One V2	Fan control needs additional configuration as described by the manufacturer manual	Product page Shop
Argon One V2 m.2	Fan control needs additional configuration as described by the manufacturer manual	Product page Shop