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New Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Board (3B+) Raspberry PI 3B+ (1GB) (3B Plus)
Raspberry Pi

New Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Board (3B+) Raspberry PI 3B+ (1GB) (3B Plus)

Bottom line: The New Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Board Raspberry PI 3B+ ($54.00 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 16:27 UTC): 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core handles 8-bit and 16-bit emulation smoothly; main trade-off: 1GB RAM is the ceiling; no higher-memory variant of this board.

$54.00

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Buy on Amazon — $54.00 Compare to similar emulation hardware

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For emulation handhelds, FPGA consoles and flash carts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core handles 8-bit and 16-bit emulation smoothly
  • ✓ Dual-band wireless LAN keeps 2.4GHz free for wireless controllers
  • ✓ Bluetooth 4.2/BLE pairs gamepads without a USB dongle
  • ✓ Onboard Ethernet gives a wired option for ROM transfers and netplay

Cons

  • ✗ 1GB RAM is the ceiling; no higher-memory variant of this board
  • ✗ Older 3-series silicon trails Pi 4 and Pi 5 on newer-system emulation
  • ✗ No case, power supply, or SD card included at this price
  • ✗ 1GB limits heavier desktop Linux use and browser tabs

Manufacturer description

Its 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core processor gives you enough headroom for 8-bit and 16-bit era emulation, light desktop Linux work, and always-on home server duties without the heat and power draw of a full PC. Dual-band wireless LAN matters more than it sounds: you can park the board on the 5GHz band and keep the congested 2.4GHz spectrum free for your controllers. Bluetooth 4.2 with BLE pairs gamepads directly, and the onboard Ethernet port is there when you want a wired connection for ROM transfers or retro netplay. If you are assembling a RetroPie or Batocera cabinet, this Raspberry Pi board…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored New Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Board Raspberry PI 3B+ using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the emulation hardware category. Raspberry Pi's emulation hardware lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for emulation hardware of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ good enough for retro emulation?

Its 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core processor is well suited to 8-bit and 16-bit era systems and the lighter 32-bit consoles. The 3B+ is the board most RetroPie-era setup guides were written against, so configuration help is easy to find.

How much RAM does this Raspberry Pi 3B+ have?

This board ships with 1GB of RAM. That is the fixed configuration for the 3 Model B+ - there is no higher-memory version of this particular board.

Does it support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth out of the box?

Yes. The 3B+ includes dual-band wireless LAN plus Bluetooth 4.2 with BLE, so you can connect to a 5GHz network and pair Bluetooth gamepads without adding a USB adapter.

Can I connect it with an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi?

Yes, the board has an onboard Ethernet port. A wired connection is the more reliable choice for transferring large ROM sets or for retro netplay sessions.

Does this include a power supply, case, or SD card?

The listing covers the 3 Model B+ board itself. Check the product listing for exactly what the seller includes and for current warranty terms before ordering accessories separately.

Full Specifications

BrandRaspberry Pi
CPU ModelCortex
Model NameRaspberry Pi 3 Model B+
Unit Count1 Count
Model Number2842229
Mfr Part Number2842229
Processor BrandBroadcom
Processor Count4
Processor Speed1.4 GHz
Total Usb Ports4
Compatible DevicesDevices with USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity, particularly those compatible with 2.4GHz and 5GHz IEEE 802.11.b/g/n/ac wireless LAN
RAM Memory Installed1 GB
Wireless Compability802.11ac
RAM Memory TechnologyLPDDR3
Connectivity TechnologyBluetooth, Ethernet, GPIO
Memory Storage Capacity1 GB
Item Dimensions L x W x H6"L x 3"W x 8"H
Ram Memory Installed Size1 GB

Ready to buy?

New Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Board (3B+) Raspberry PI 3B+ (1GB) (3B Plus) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $54.00

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.

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New Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ Board (3B+) Raspberry PI 3B+ (1GB) (3B Plus)
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