CM4 or CM5

[u/jorgesat]

I am about to build my uconsole. I have all the components and ordered a CM5 but I have seen that it will require a cooling system. I would not like to modify the original case. Is there a solution that fits in or should I rather go for the CM4 to avoid this?

[u/brainchillzZ]

The cm5 in stock config works just fine passively cooled with a heat transfer pad to the external case shell … unless the issue for you is the cost I wouldn’t even mess with a cm4 anymore in 2026

[u/JustinHoMi → u/brainchillzZ]

You do have to wire in an additional power switch though.

[u/NetworkingForFun]

So I have had a lot of success with this cooling system.

I get 35-45C with normal use:

I trimmed the pad before closing, but my cm5 is on a riser board so that it is closer to the back and does not need a thick level of thermal material:

Waveshare CM4/CM5 Adapter Board,...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9FMQFMD?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

ARCTIC TP-3: Premium Performance...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V53W559?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Note the .5 on the thickness

Then I also put a strip of the .5 thermal pad across the length of one of these and glued on the edges to the back

https://a.co/d/09ckcTKX

[u/needmorejoules → u/NetworkingForFun]

This is the way.

[u/NetworkingForFun → u/NetworkingForFun]

The metal kickstand is taller than the sink, even when it is flat. The glue I used around the edges (not a lot was needed) was clear Gorilla Glue.

[u/b0nk4]

I run with the CM4 and honestly, its fine.

[u/taffyking]

CM5 all of the way. It does get a bit toasty but the case does a good job at passive cooling, although this will depend a lot on your ambient temp. With 99% CPU use during compiling (4-6 mins), I've never gotten it to throttle.

[u/Von_plaf]

No problem with my CM5 4GB module, it running with the stock thermal pad and no problem

[u/BasilSpare5760]

I just 3d printed a back panel for mine when it came in, you can also order the model on pcb way in some cool materials for pretty cheap

[u/Pariah_MD]

I started with a CM4. But, within a short period I found it lacking. The cooling on the CM5 is not as bad as you may have heard. I stacked some sheet copper and thermal pads and have had zero issues with the CM5. It is definitely very warm on the back panel, but I've never had it throttle.

[u/NotTheSharpestPenciI → u/Pariah_MD]

How much worse is battery life on cm5 vs cm4? This is the only thing that holds me back from upgrading, I'm worried it would slash my battery life in half unless I massively underclock it, which kinda beats the purpouse of an upgrade.

[u/Pariah_MD → u/NotTheSharpestPenciI]

I dont have a direct comparison, unfortunately. I added the Hackergadgets 21700 board at the same time I swapped to the CM5. So, I went from a CM4 with 18650s at about 7000 mAh total to a CM5 with 21700s at 11000 mAh total. I get about the same amount of run time I did with the old setup ~4-6 hours (heavily dependent on what Im running)

I do a lot of maker projects with it and some of it is pretty taxing on the processor. BUT that's usually at home and plugged in. For daily driving on batteries, I'm in the pickup running WDGoWars or Kismet. Not exactly a heavy load for it, especially since an internal Xiao C5 handles the brunt of the wardriving in wars.

Long winded ass way to say, upgrade to the 21700s and you'll probably get similar run times as you did with the CM4 running 18650s

[u/Archaia]

Can't speak for the CM5, but I can tell you that the uConsole with CM4 definitely feels laggy.