> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.simplyprint.io/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Pick the right Raspberry Pi for running SimplyPrint / OctoPrint

If you are in doubt about which Raspberry Pi to buy / use for SimplyPrint, and maybe where to find it, follow this guide.

|| Note that not all printers or setup require external hardware like a Raspberry Pi. Check out our setup guide carefully first.

# Who and what setups is this guide for?
This guide will help you pick out the right Raspberry Pi for your needs to run SimplyPrint or OctoPrint.
Note that **not all SimplyPrint setups requires external hardware.** Check out our setup guide to see the exact requirements for your printer(s): https://simplyprint.io/setup-guide/

This guide will apply to the "Older printers without WiFi" part of the setup, as we need to make your printer smarter via some external hardware - like a Raspberry Pi! But also the **Bambu Lab setup** if you intend to host the SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client on a Raspberry Pi.


# What Raspberry Pi to pick? And what do I need?
To run _some_ SimplyPrint setups, or OctoPrint, you'll need;
1. A Raspberry Pi
2. A power supply for the Pi *(important that it's an official power supply for the given Pi model)*
3. An SD card *(8 or 16 GB)*
4. A connection cable for the printer

**Which Pi to choose?**
We recommend a **Raspberry Pi 4B** - it's not super expensive *(often cheaper than the previous model)*, and it handles running SimplyPrint very well.
The 2 GB / the lowest GB version **(of the Raspberry Pi)** is plenty if you just plan on running a single printer on the Pi.
Though the Raspberry Pi 5 is newer, if the Pi 4 is to come by **and cheaper**, we recommend picking this over the PI 5.

**Note:** If you buy a Raspberry Pi via a link from this article, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

**Remember: **you need a **power supply** and **SD card** for your Raspberry Pi as well.

**Here's a list of all Pi's that will run SimplyPrint well;**
* Raspberry Pi 5 *(4, 8 or 16 GB version - only matters if you plan on having multiple printers running on your Pi)* - **Buy on Amazon:** [**4 GB version**](https://amzn.to/46MpZUq), [**8 GB version**](https://amzn.to/4h7bD4j), [**16 GB version**](https://amzn.to/4o7iWeC)
* Raspberry Pi 4B *(2, 4 or 8GB ram - only matters if you plan on having multiple printers running on your Pi) *- [**Buy on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/46KNUn7)
* Raspberry Pi Zero W **2** - [**Buy on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/4nJAIVp)
* Raspberry Pi 400 - [**Buy on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/3VVJ3cy)
* Raspberry Pi 3B(+) - [**Buy on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/4ofocx0)
* Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+ *(not the best, but it works) - *
* Raspberry Pi 3

**Pi versions that *won't* handle SimplyPrint very well;**
* Raspberry Pi Zero W *(first version)* - simply not powerful enough and is known to crash
* Raspberry Pi 2 *(all variants)* - not powerful enough and is known to crash especially during setup/install
* Raspberry Pi B(+)
* Raspberry Pi Pico *(won't work **at all** - is not a computer, but a microcontroller)*
*Note that some of the devices on this list __might__ work, but aren't recommended as they're known to cause performance issues that result in bad prints.*



# Where to get them?
Every country in the world has at least one Raspberry Pi reseller - most gadget-webshops and electronics stores will probably have one.

Finding one on Amazon may be most convenient: https://amzn.to/4q2O14P

If you wish to find an alternative place to buy Pi's, you can use [Raspberry Pi's own website](https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/#find-reseller) where they list all the official resellers in all countries.

You will need these 3 things to get SimplyPrint running correctly;
* **Pi:** A Raspberry Pi listed in the *"Which Pi to choose?"* list above
* **Power supply:** **An official Raspberry Pi power supply** - [**Buy on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/42AxYBl)
* **SD card: **A minimum of 8 GB *(8 gigabytes)* of micro SD card, 16 is also good but bigger cards are known to have failed, and there's no need for all that extra space - [**Buy on Amazon**](https://amzn.to/4hdDiAQ)

To make your Raspberry Pi can communicate with your 3D printer you will need a USB cable for that. If you are unsure about what cable to use for your printer, follow the guide here [Which cable to use for SimplyPrint / OctoPrint](/en/article/which-cable-to-use-for-simplyprint-octoprint-a31397/)