Raspberry Pi 5 Case Raspberry Pi 5 Case Enclosure

Raspberry Pi 5 Case Overview

The Raspberry Pi 5 Case is a clip-together, four-part enclosure designed specifically for Raspberry Pi 5. It combines a compact shell with a temperature-controlled PWM fan and an adhesive heatsink to maintain comfortable operating temperatures during sustained workloads such as compiling code, media playback, or high-throughput I/O.

Usability and expandability are core to the design. The lid removes without tools to reveal the fan bay, a breakout slot for ribbon cables and GPIO, and fast access for prototyping. Integrated mounting features allow you to stack multiple cases neatly for small clusters or classroom carts. HATs can be mounted to the enclosure using standard standoffs and a GPIO header extender (both user-supplied), so you can develop with add-on boards while keeping the main board protected.

Assembly is straightforward: affix the 12 × 17 × 4 mm heatsink to the SoC, seat the board in the molded base, connect the fan to the 4-pin header, and snap the frame and lid into place. A convenient case button supports power up/down once wired. Four silicone feet are included to keep the case stable and to damp vibration when the fan ramps.

The shell uses durable ABS for the base, frame, and lid, with a rigid polycarbonate fan assembly. Precise port cut-outs support frequent cable swaps, and the compact footprint suits benchtops, shelves, and small racks. Use only with Raspberry Pi 5 and ensure reasonable ventilation; do not cover the enclosure during operation.

Specifications

Applications and Use Cases

Desktop & Learning Kits
Ideal for turning Raspberry Pi 5 into a compact Linux workstation. PWM control keeps acoustics modest during light loads and provides extra airflow when compiling, browsing with multiple tabs, or driving dual displays.

Home Labs & Always-On Services
Great for Home Assistant, Pi-hole, container hosts, or lightweight CI runners. The heatsink and PWM fan help maintain steady performance during long uptimes and indexing spikes. Stacking keeps multi-node setups tidy.

Media Centers & Retro Gaming
High-bitrate playback, emulation, and GPU-assisted effects can raise thermals. Managed fan speed and directed airflow help sustain smooth performance during long sessions.

Edge Prototyping & Field Pilots
Mount sensors, cameras, or radios using standoffs and a header extender without exposing the main board. The removable lid and breakout slot simplify wiring while the enclosure protects the hardware.

STEM Classrooms & Workshops
Tool-less assembly and visible, well-documented internals make it approachable for supervised student builds. The breakout slot streamlines quick demos for GPIO, I²C, SPI, and PWM.

Small Clusters & Demo Walls
Stackable features reduce clutter for 2–10 node clusters used for CI, cross-compiles, or distributed experiments. Consistent airflow and a clean power-button workflow help with batch maintenance.

Kiosk, Signage & Exhibits
A clean, compact appearance suits public-facing setups. The sturdy ABS/PC construction resists casual knocks, while the fan handles moderate cabinet heat when reasonable airflow is available.

Three Quick Highlights

1. PWM-managed thermals – Temperature-controlled fan plus adhesive heatsink sustain performance under continuous load.

2. Tool-free access – Snap-fit assembly, removable lid, and a tidy breakout slot for cables and GPIO make rapid iteration easy.

3. Expansion ready – Stackable mounting and HAT-on-case support (with standoffs and header extender) streamline clusters and add-on boards.

Design Notes & Assembly Tips

• Four-part structure: Base, transparent fan assembly, frame, and lift-off lid. This layout keeps port alignment consistent and provides quick access to the fan and GPIO area.

• Thermal path: The 12 × 17 × 4 mm heatsink bonds to the SoC’s heat spreader; PWM control with tachometer feedback lets the OS modulate speed for a balance of acoustics and cooling.

• Prototyping access: The lid’s cut-out and breakout slot accommodate ribbon cables, probe leads, or HAT ribbon exits while the board remains protected.

• Stable footing: Included silicone feet minimize vibration and slippage when the fan spins up.

• Safe operation: Use only with Raspberry Pi 5, keep the enclosure ventilated, avoid liquids, and never touch the fan while powered.

If you’re building a desktop kit, classroom fleet, or a tidy multi-node lab, this Raspberry Pi 5 Case brings reliable temperature management, clean cable routing, and expansion-friendly design—without sacrificing convenience or desk space.