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    Please do not post a support request without first reading and following the advice in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

    Should I buy a Pi 4 or better 3 for RetroPie?

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    • Clyde
      Clyde last edited by Clyde

      I'm running Retropie on my Pi 4 Rev 1.2 since Retropie 4.6 came out, and I faced only some problems like the Sound bug coming from upstream Raspbian Buster, and that the video screensaver can't show the game's title as a subtitle anymore.

      The Former can be fixed (see my link above) and the latter doesn't bother me much. Since the Pi 4 has many advantages over the Pi 3, I would recommend the Pi 4 to buy nowadays. You simply get much more Pi for your money.

      edit: some typos

      ReadyPlayaWon 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • dankcushions
        dankcushions Global Moderator last edited by

        definitely get the 4.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • simpleethat
          simpleethat last edited by

          I would go with the 4. It's still in beta but most things are functioning properly and it's only going to get better as they bring it out of beta. The Pi4 opens up opportunities for better emulation on more systems.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • M74
            M74 last edited by

            Thank you all!

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • GreenHawk84
              GreenHawk84 last edited by GreenHawk84

              So far the Pi4 is doing a superior job at running games. I am able to run Mame2016 which has a great deal of games that didn't run on my Pi3, or run way better without glitches.

              Darksavior 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • Darksavior
                Darksavior @GreenHawk84 last edited by

                @GreenHawk84 I still prefer fb-neo due to its lower hardware requirements but I do use 2016 for games it can't run correctly or not at all like mk1+ era of midway games, and sega system 16-32. I believe 16 is properly emulated in fbn but I like to keep them together.
                There are games like some Parodius game that won't run on fbn and runs too slow on 2016, so I use 2010 for that one.

                GreenHawk84 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • ReadyPlayaWon
                  ReadyPlayaWon Banned @Clyde last edited by ReadyPlayaWon

                  @Clyde

                  If you want to be able to play Sega Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, Sega Naomi 1, Atomiswave, 3DO games then definitely get a Raspberry Pi 4

                  I couldn't run any of the systems on my Raspberry Pi 3B+

                  Clyde 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • GreenHawk84
                    GreenHawk84 @Darksavior last edited by

                    @Darksavior yes FBNeo is still the primary arcade core to use but Mame2016 is looking great for certain titles, especially Kombat.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • dbrown1986
                      dbrown1986 last edited by dbrown1986

                      While I still have my Pi3 sitting around; I recently made the switch to ODroid myself. I have the XU4 with a 64GB emmc (much faster than SD) and a 2TB drive for external roms. I have nearly 60,000 roms on it and around 2,900 BGM tracks. Everything from Pong to PSP; and it all seems to run great.

                      The Pi4 will suit you fine for most everything you'll need; and has gotten better at handling 3D emulation a little better; but if your heart is set on N64, PS2, PSP or Nintendo DS/3DS titles; the ODroid can handle that much better; while still running RetroPie through Ubuntu or via The Retro Arena distros.

                      The downside, ODroid with all its accessories is a bit more steep than the Pi.
                      Best of luck on your shopping journey, hope you find some great deals.

                      simpleethat akamming 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • simpleethat
                        simpleethat @dbrown1986 last edited by

                        @dbrown1986 you've got PS2 running on the XU4 well? I might have to dust mine off and check that out.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • Clyde
                          Clyde @ReadyPlayaWon last edited by

                          @ReadyPlayaWon said in Should I buy a Pi 4 or better 3 for RetroPie?:

                          @Clyde

                          If you want to be able to play Sega Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, Sega Naomi 1, Atomiswave, 3DO games then definitely get a Raspberry Pi 4

                          I think you mistook me for the TO. 😉

                          ReadyPlayaWon 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • ReadyPlayaWon
                            ReadyPlayaWon Banned @Clyde last edited by

                            @Clyde

                            oops .. my apologies :)

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • akamming
                              akamming @dbrown1986 last edited by

                              @dbrown1986 said in Should I buy a Pi 4 or better 3 for RetroPie?:

                              but if your heart is set on N64, PS2, PSP or Nintendo DS/3DS titles; the ODroid can handle that much better; while still running RetroPie through Ubuntu or via The Retro Arena distros.

                              Which Odroid model do you refer to here? (or maybe a better question: which odroid model handels these kind of games best?)

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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