Getting a Pi4 for pCP

[diode84]

I'm running a Pi4 with pCP 7.0 and LMS, powered by USB via my QNAP NAS rather than a Pi4 specific USB-C power supply. It's been fine for the 3-4 weeks since I set it up, despite some adverse comments in another thread! I don't have a hard drive, fan or HAT attached to this Pi (which could, I suppose, increase its power requirement).

Robert

Thats interesting, are you saying you power your Pi4 from only the USB connection to your QNAP NAS?

[Tex]

I have a Pi 3 B and installed pCP 7 64 Bit. Then my brother had sent me
an ifi iPower wall wart. I am amazed with the performance and stability.
I stream a lot of things like Spotify and Digital Import and since I have installed
pCP 7 they seem to be much more stable. I am also impressed with the power supply
it could be illusory but it seems to help fidelity better bass etc.
I was tempted to upgrade to the Pi 4 but have decided to continue with the Pi 3B.
With the philosophy if it ain't broken. But I haven't had any experience with the Pi 4.
Obviously a better CPU & more memory would be good.
I would have never bought the ifi iPower wall wart on my own;-)
I am also using the usb connections on the pi to power a hard drive & a dac, without any
problem.

https://drop.com/buy/drop-grace-desi...d-dac-balanced

https://www.amazon.com/iPower-Supply...NDM6HXM056MGMZ

[slartibartfast]

I am definitely getting very cold feet now. The Pi4 needs 5.1 volts and if I have a power supply, 5.1 volts, say at 10 amps with the correct plug on it to
go into the Pi, is that a problem to a Pi4. I am used to using stabilised power supplies and as long as they give out more current than the Pi needs maximum
then that is OK.
Is there something special in Pi PSUs like Dell use an extra lead for identification.

It looks like it is only e-marked cables that cause issues (whatever they are).

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[diode84]

It looks like it is only e-marked cables that cause issues (whatever they are).

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

No idea what an e-marked cable is. To me a cable to zero volts and one to +5 volts of sufficient current is all you could need.

[diode84]

Obviously a better CPU & more memory would be good.

Interested why you feel you need more memory and better CPU. Is Pi3b+ lacking.

[Grumpy Bob]

In my experience, a Pi3B works fine as an LMS server when running pCP as its OS. I didn't see a massive improvement in scanning speed when I replaced a Pi3B with a Pi4B.

Robert

[Tex]

No & that is why I posted. I would've installed a 32 bit system if I had thought about it.
But so far no memory problems with the 64 bit. As I understand it 64 bit takes up more of the
available memory. Response time seems a bit snappier but more importantly no lag.
I use it primarily for a server but also use the hifiberry digital output and no problems.
So I said "more memory & a faster CPU" with the idea you always want more memory & a faster processor for
better performance but in this case, I am very happy. & I am willing to concede that the ifi iPower
wall wart is an improvement, though I couldn't prove it except by subjective judgement. Using
the standard switching power supply was more than adequate.

[Man in a van]

No idea what an e-marked cable is. To me a cable to zero volts and one to +5 volts of sufficient current is all you could need.

Google is your friend

https://satechi.net/blogs/news/ident...-e-mark-cables

Just get a rpi4b and the official power supply

https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/r...29157000085587

It's a lot of fuss, about not a lot

ronnie

[d6jg]

The difference between the 3b and 4 which arguably makes the latter a better bet as a server is the change from shared bus 100mbs LAN/USB 2 on 3b to separate Gb LAN and USB2 & 3 on Pi4.
Yes the Pi4 runs a bit warmer and yes early models had power supply issues but.

[diode84]

The difference between the 3b and 4 which arguably makes the latter a better bet as a server is the change from shared bus 100mbs LAN/USB 2 on 3b to separate Gb LAN and USB2 & 3 on Pi4.
Yes the Pi4 runs a bit warmer and yes early models had power supply issues but.

Does the shared bus cause noise problems?

I don't have any problem supplying a Pi4 with more than adequate 5.1 volts stabilised power supply without using a wall plug type that I have never been keen on.