The Argon ONE V3 / M.2 NVMe PCIe is a versatile and durable case designed for the Raspberry Pi 5, offering enhanced cooling, power management, and expansion capabilities. This instruction manual provides a comprehensive overview of its features, assembly, and software configuration.
Function Description:
The Argon ONE V3 serves as a protective enclosure for the Raspberry Pi 5, while also integrating several functionalities to improve its performance and user experience. It is designed to house the Raspberry Pi 5 and, optionally, an M.2 NVMe SSD for expanded storage. The case facilitates efficient heat dissipation, provides convenient access to various ports, and includes an internal microcontroller for advanced power and fan control.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Case Material: The top of the case is made from injected aluminum alloy, while the bottom is constructed from injected ABS plastic, ensuring both durability and effective passive cooling.
- Cooling System: Features a blower-type 30mm PWM programmable fan for active cooling. The fan's speed is controlled via a CPU temperature response using an Argon Script, allowing for efficient and quiet operation.
- Internal Microcontroller: Incorporates an RP2040 chip for power button and fan control functions, offering a "Hacker Friendly" feature for custom configurations.
- Built-in IR Receiver: Includes a built-in IR receiver (GPIO 23) that works with the Argon Remote once the Argon Script is installed. It is fully user-programmable for other remotes in LIRC.
- Power Management: Offers multi-function power button features, including safe shutdown with power cut, reboot, and an "Always ON" mode. The power button's behavior can be configured via a jumper pin setting.
- Default Setting (Pin 1-2): Requires pressing the button to power ON from shutdown or power outage.
- Always ON (Pin 2-3): Power current flows directly to the Raspberry Pi, eliminating the need to press the button to power ON from a power outage.
- HDMI Ports: Converts the micro HDMI of the RPi 5 to two regular HDMI ports.
- GPIO Access: Provides full GPIO access with a magnetic cover for protection and easy access.
- USB Ports: Includes 2 x USB 3.0 ports and 2 x USB 2.0 ports.
- Power Input: USB-C Power In.
- Other Ports: Features 2 x Type A HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm Audio Port (optional with Argon BLSTR DAC).
- Expansion Capabilities:
- Add ON: Argon ONE M.2 PCIE-NVME Expansion Board: Fully compatible with the Argon ONE M.2 NVMe PCIE Expansion Board for M.2 NVMe storage via the PCIe of the RPi 5. This board accepts M.2 Key M and M.2 Key B+M NVMe Storage Drives. Note: This board is NOT compatible with M.2 SATA Storage Drives.
- Add ON: Argon ONE BLSTR DAC: A full high-definition 24-bit 192kHz Texas Instruments PCM5122 digital audio codec (DAC) via the 3.5mm jack.
- Add ON: Argon PWR Uninterrupted Power Supply Module: An Argon PWR UPS | 5.1V 5A PD UPS with internal RTC.
- Recommended Power Supply: Argon PWR GaN USB-C PD 27W or Official Raspberry Pi® 27W USB-C Power Supply.
Usage Features:
- Easy Assembly: The manual provides clear, step-by-step instructions for assembling the Argon ONE V3, including connecting the Raspberry Pi 5, thermal pads, PCIe pipe flat flex cable (for M.2 NVMe expansion), and the optional BLSTR DAC board.
- Thermal Management: Silicon thermal pads are used to connect the Raspberry Pi 5 to the Argon ONE V3 case heatsinks (CPU and PMIC), ensuring efficient heat transfer. Users are reminded to peel off plastic from both sides of the thermal pads.
- M.2 NVMe Integration: For users with the M.2 NVMe expansion board, a PCIe Pipe Flat Flex Cable connects the expansion board to the Raspberry Pi 5 PCIe port. The copper side of the strip should face the white side of the PCIe connector. The M.2 NVMe drive is secured to the expansion board with a screw.
- Power Button Management: The power button's behavior (default or always ON) can be selected by adjusting a jumper pin setting on the board.
- Software Control: The Argon ONE V3 utilizes an Argon Script for power button and fan control. This script configures EEPROM settings to optimize power and boot from NVMe, and sets up fan control based on CPU temperature.
- Installation: The script can be installed by connecting to the internet and executing specific curl commands in the Terminal.
- Uninstallation: The script can be uninstalled by clicking the Argon ONE V3 Desktop icon or typing
argonone-uninstall in the Terminal.
- Fan Speed Control: The fan speed is automatically adjusted based on CPU temperature (e.g., 30% fan power at 55°C, 55% at 60°C, 100% at 65°C). These settings can be customized by clicking the Argon ONE V3 Desktop icon or typing
argonone-config in the Terminal.
- IR Receiver Configuration: The built-in IR receiver can be configured by typing
argonone-ir in the Terminal and following the instructions.
- Audio Enhancement (with BLSTR DAC): If the Argon ONE BLSTR DAC is installed, the audio output can be set to PulseAudio in
raspi-config by adding dtoverlay=hifiberry-dac to config.txt.
Maintenance Features:
- Durable Design: The combination of aluminum alloy and ABS plastic provides a robust and long-lasting enclosure for the Raspberry Pi 5.
- Easy Access: The magnetic removable top cover allows for easy access to the 40 Pin GPIO, facilitating maintenance and modifications.
- Software Updates: The Argon Script can be reinstalled or updated, allowing users to benefit from the latest features and bug fixes.
- Troubleshooting: The manual provides clear instructions for assembly, reducing the likelihood of common errors. For more detailed instructions and resources, users are directed to the argon40.com website.
The Argon ONE V3 / M.2 NVMe PCIe is a comprehensive solution for Raspberry Pi 5 users seeking a high-performance, feature-rich, and user-friendly enclosure with advanced cooling and expansion options.
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