Pis 1, 2, 3, and the RP 1, and 2 are on a 40nm process node. Pi4 and Pi5 SoCs are on a 28nm node. 2nm (aka for Intel, 20A) is quite a few generations smaller.
The smaller the node, the closer the components are to each other. This permits higher clock speeds. Faster clocks will generate more heat. So there is a tradeoff. Do you want a FASTER chip or do you want a COOLER chip? Or some combination of the two?
Smaller nodes also mean lower operating voltages. Hence for the 3.3v GPIO, you really want a larger node, like the 40nm used for the RP1.
The smaller the node, the closer the components are to each other. This permits higher clock speeds. Faster clocks will generate more heat. So there is a tradeoff. Do you want a FASTER chip or do you want a COOLER chip? Or some combination of the two?
Smaller nodes also mean lower operating voltages. Hence for the 3.3v GPIO, you really want a larger node, like the 40nm used for the RP1.
Statistics: Posted by W. H. Heydt — Sun Feb 08, 2026 11:30 pm