Raspberry Pi 4 Base Model RAM Capacity

The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B represented a major leap forward for the popular single-board computer series, particularly in terms of memory options. While previous generations offered fixed, lower memory capacities, the Pi 4 introduced multiple configurations to cater to different performance needs. This article identifies the exact RAM capacity of the base model, traces how the entry-level lineup evolved over its production lifecycle, and explains how to check the memory on a device you already own.

The base model of the Raspberry Pi 4 originally launched with 1GB of LPDDR4 SDRAM. Released in June 2019, this 1GB variant served as the most affordable entry point into the Raspberry Pi 4 family, priced at the traditional $35 mark, while 2GB and 4GB models were sold at higher price tiers.

However, the definition of the “base model” shifted early in the computer’s lifecycle. In February 2020, to celebrate the Raspberry Pi’s eighth anniversary, the Raspberry Pi Foundation permanently dropped the price of the 2GB model to $35 and subsequently discontinued the 1GB version for general consumer retail. From that point onward, the 2GB model effectively became the standard base configuration for the Raspberry Pi 4 lineup.

If you have a Raspberry Pi 4 and want to verify whether it is the original 1GB base model, the 2GB standard, or one of the higher-tier 4GB or 8GB variants, you can check the memory capacity directly through the terminal. Running the following command will display your total available system memory in megabytes:

free -m

Alternatively, you can inspect the system information file by entering cat /proc/meminfo to see the precise memory breakdown. Original 1GB models will display a total memory size hovering around 926 MB after allocating system overhead, while the 2GB models will show approximately 1900 MB.