Official Raspberry Pi 5 Case with Integrated Cooling Fan - Black

Specifications

• Colour: Black (Matte Finish)

• Material: High-Impact ABS Construction

• Cooling System: Integrated Temperature-Controlled PWM Fan

• Fan Connector: 4-Pin JST (Connects to Pi 5 'FAN' header)

• Dimensions: 98.5mm (W) x 70.3mm (D) x 33mm (H)

• GPIO Access: Removable Top Lid

• Mounting: Stackable with rubber feet for vibration dampening

Applications

• Industrial Controllers: The professional Black finish blends perfectly into server racks and industrial control panels.

• Home Media Servers: A discrete, quiet enclosure that disappears into your TV cabinet while running Plex or Kodi.

• Retro Gaming Consoles: A stealthy shell for your RetroPie setup, protecting the board during intense gaming sessions.

• Edge AI Nodes: Keep the Pi cool while running heavy computer vision models like OpenCV or TensorFlow Lite.

Project Evolution

• The Bottleneck: Running the Pi 5 bare-board is risky. Accidental shorts on the desk or thermal throttling at 85°C can crash your application.

• The Upgrade: This case provides Probots Lab Verified thermal management. The integrated fan ensures the Pi 5 maintains its 2.4GHz clock speed during sustained loads, unlocking the ability to run heavy server applications 24/7.

• Effort Level: Beginner. No screws, no glue, no complex wiring. Just click the board in and plug the fan into the dedicated port.

Virtual Technician & Assembly Guide

• ⚠️ Fan Connection: Plug the fan cable into the small white 4-pin connector labelled 'FAN' on the Pi 5 board. Do not force it onto the GPIO pins.

• HAT Compatibility: To use a HAT (Hardware Attached on Top), simply pop off the black lid. The fan remains attached to the lid, so you may need active cooling on the HAT itself if you remove the lid permanently.

• Power Button: The case features a subtle, integrated power button actuator, allowing you to turn the Pi on/off without unplugging the power supply.

Accessories & Compatibility

• Included: 1x Official Black Case (Base + Lid), 1x PWM Cooling Fan, 1x Silicone Feet Set, 1x Adhesive Heatsink.

• Required: Raspberry Pi 5 Board.

• Related: Raspberry Pi 27W USB-C Power Supply (Black), Micro-HDMI Cable.

Frequently Asked Questions (Technical SEO)

• Is this case compatible with the Raspberry Pi 4?
  No, the physical layout (USB/Ethernet ports and mounting holes) of the Pi 5 is different. This case fits only the Pi 5.
• Does the black color retain more heat than the white version?
  Technically yes, black absorbs more heat, but the difference is negligible thanks to the active PWM cooling fan inside.
• Is the fan loud?
  No, it uses Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) to spin slowly or stop completely when the Pi is cool, ensuring silent operation.
• Where does the fan plug in?
  It connects to the dedicated 4-pin "FAN" header on the Raspberry Pi 5 PCB, not the GPIO pins.
• Can I access the GPIO pins with the lid on?
  No, the lid covers the GPIO pins to protect them. You must remove the lid to access the headers.
• Does it come with a heatsink?
  Yes, it typically includes a small adhesive heatsink for the processor to aid heat transfer to the airflow path.
• Is the fan always on?
  No, the Raspberry Pi OS manages the fan automatically, turning it on only when the CPU temperature rises.
• Can I wall mount this case?
  There are no screw holes for wall mounting, but the flat bottom works well with double-sided industrial tape.
• Does it block WiFi or Bluetooth signals?
  No, the ABS plastic construction is transparent to RF signals, ensuring good wireless range.
• How do I insert the SD card?
  There is a slot on the underside of the case that allows you to insert or remove the MicroSD card without opening the case.
• Can I see the status LEDs?
  Yes, the case includes a light pipe (part of the power button) that makes the board's status LED visible from the outside.
• Is the fan 5V or 12V?
  The included fan is a 5V unit powered directly by the Pi 5's onboard regulator.
• Do I need a screwdriver to assemble it?
  No, the case uses a tool-free snap-fit mechanism for easy assembly and disassembly.
• Does it accommodate the official Active Cooler?
  No, you cannot use the "Active Cooler" heatsink/fan combo inside this case. You must use the fan provided with the case.
• Is the plastic durable?
  Yes, it is made of rigid, high-quality ABS plastic designed to protect the board from drops and static.
• Can I stack multiple cases?
  Yes, the design features subtle indentations that allow multiple cases to be stacked securely for clusters.
• Does it have a power button?
  Yes, there is an integrated button on the case that pushes the tactile switch on the Pi 5 board.