Adafruit Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 Lite

The Compute Module is a Raspberry Pi 3 in a more flexible form factor, intended for industrial application. The CM3L (Compute Module 3 Lite) is the Raspberry Pi 3-based revision of the original Compute Module, with a powerful quad-core processor. The Lite version does not come with the 4GB of on-module eMMC flash found on the standard Compute Module 3. It also does not contain the WiFi/Bluetooth chipset that comes with the Pi 3.

The Compute Module contains the essentials of a Raspberry Pi 3, featuring the BCM2837 processor and 1GB RAM. The Pi 3 has a processor speed of 1.2GHz, running at roughly 10 times the speed of the Pi 1, thanks to its quad-core CPU.

This entire setup is integrated onto a compact 67.6mm x 31mm board, fitting into a standard DDR2 SODIMM connector, similar to those used for laptop memory. The processor interfaces are accessible via the connector pins, offering the full flexibility of the BCM2837 SoC. This means more GPIOs and interfaces are available compared to the Raspberry Pi.

Designing the Module into a custom system is straightforward, as the Pi Foundation has integrated all complex components onto the Module itself. If space is a constraint, the Compute Module can fit where no other Pi can, making it ideal for compact and innovative designs.