If you have to ask for help choosing between a "normal" Pi and a CM, you'd probably be better off sticking with the "normal" Pi.
Seconded.
The Pi5 doesn't have a "PCIe slot". It has a connector that exposes a single PCIe lane to which adapters can be attached that turn that into a M.2 connector.
Neither does the CM5. At least not on the official IO board. That has an M keyed M.2 slot with only a single PCIe lane.
@OP:
Whichever you opt for you'll need additional adapters if you want to connect "normal" PCIe cards and, possibly, a 12v supply for them.
Any dual M.2 board for the Pi5 splits bandwidth between the two drives and most of them will restrict you to PCIe gen2 speeds (the only gen3 board I've seen is twice the price). With two drives, you'll get more bandwidth per drive if you connect them via USB3 as the USB controller is backed by four PCIe lanes.
In terms of "which you guys think it may run better mainly for storage purposes, while not running 24/7?" you probably won't see any difference between Pi5 and CM5. Same core hardware, same PCIe interface.
Statistics: Posted by thagrol — Mon Jun 09, 2025 12:38 am