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System Requirements
What you need to run Lights Pi
Raspberry Pi
Lights Pi supports both Raspberry Pi 3B+ and Pi 4 with automatic optimizations for each model.
Raspberry Pi 4 (Recommended)
- • 2GB RAM minimum, 4GB+ recommended
- • Better performance for 10+ fixtures
- • Faster web interface
- • Can run additional services
- • USB 3.0 ports
Price: ~$55 (4GB model)
Raspberry Pi 3B+ (Budget)
- • 1GB RAM (sufficient for most setups)
- • Works great for <10 fixtures
- • Automatic performance optimizations
- • Lower power consumption
- • More affordable
Price: ~$35
Pi 3 Optimizations: When Pi 3 is detected, Lights Pi automatically reduces GPU memory, disables Bluetooth/HDMI, increases swap, and optimizes CPU governor for better performance.
Storage
MicroSD card for the operating system and configuration.
- ✓Minimum: 16GB Class 10 or better
- ✓Recommended: 32GB UHS-I (U1) or better
- ✓Brands: SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston (avoid no-name brands)
Network
WiFi or Ethernet connection for remote access.
- ✓WiFi: 2.4GHz or 5GHz (Pi 3B+ and Pi 4 support both)
- ✓Ethernet: Gigabit on Pi 4, 100Mbps on Pi 3B+
- ✓mDNS: Automatic discovery via lights.local
- ✓Dual WiFi: Configure two networks for redundancy
Power Supply
Proper power supply is critical for stable operation.
- ✓Pi 4: USB-C, 5V 3A (15W) official power supply
- ✓Pi 3B+: Micro USB, 5V 2.5A (12.5W) official power supply
- ✓Warning: Underpowered supplies cause instability and corruption