Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (Broadcom BCM2837B0) vs Intel Pentium 987

The Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (Broadcom BCM2837B0) is a 4 core processor with a clock frequency of 1.40 GHz. The processor can compute 4 threads at the same time. The Intel Pentium 987 clocks with 1.50 GHz, has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 2 threads in parallel.

Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.

Graphics (iGPU) integrated into the processor not only enable image output without having to rely on a dedicated graphics solution, but can also efficiently accelerate video playback.

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.

Up to 1 GB of memory in a maximum of 1 memory channels is supported by the Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (Broadcom BCM2837B0), while the Intel Pentium 987 supports a maximum of 16 GB of memory with a maximum memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s enabled.

The Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (Broadcom BCM2837B0) has a TDP of 7 W. The TDP of the Intel Pentium 987 is 17 W. System integrators use the TDP of the processor as a guide when dimensioning the cooling solution.

The Raspberry Pi 3 B+ (Broadcom BCM2837B0) has 0.50 MB cache and is manufactured in 40 nm. The cache of Intel Pentium 987 is at 2.00 MB. The processor is manufactured in 32 nm.