Banana Pi R4 Cooler Comparison
Comparing 2 cooling configurations for the Banana Pi R4. SoC: MediaTek MT7988A.
Expert Summary
The Banana Pi R4 does a great job of handling itself under load, with no throttling occurring and a maximum temperature well within limits. That said, if you stuff it inside a case with no heatsinks or airflow, you may find yourself getting on the hotter side.
The good news is that cheap BPI R4 coolers are available on AliExpress and improve things drastically, giving you plenty of headroom for even the tightest of homelab racks.
Peak Temperatures at a Glance
Temperature Comparison
Cooling Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot does the Banana Pi R4 get without a cooler?
The Banana Pi R4 reaches 69°C under sustained CPU load without a cooler, with an idle temperature of 47°C. No thermal throttling was observed.
What is the best cooler for the Banana Pi R4?
The Generic BPI R4 Active Cooler provides the best thermal performance, reducing load temperatures by 22.0°C to a peak of 47°C at a price of $5.19.
Does the Banana Pi R4 need a cooler?
The Banana Pi R4 does not thermally throttle under sustained load even without an aftermarket cooler. However, a cooler will still reduce operating temperatures, which can improve long-term reliability.