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PiTower Gen 2 Mini PC Case with 2.8” IPS Screen | Dual SSD Slot Designed for Raspberry Pi 5

PiTower Gen 2 is a desktop Mini PC case designed for Raspberry Pi 5. It integrates the Raspberry Pi 5, NVMe SSD, active cooling, GPIO expansion, and a 2.8-inch IPS status display into a compact aluminum alloy/acrylic chassis, making it suitable for desktop servers, home labs, edge gateways, and everyday development.

**Model **MOA01102D

pitower_gen2

Product Features

  • Designed specifically for Raspberry Pi 5: The motherboard, interface board, and cooler positions are precisely matched.
  • NVMe SSD expansion: Supports 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 form factors.
  • 2.8-inch IPS status display: 240 × 320 resolution and 200 cd/m² brightness for real-time monitoring of PiTower Gen 2 and Raspberry Pi operating status.
  • Active cooling: The RPI5 Cooler works together with the case fan to help the Raspberry Pi 5 maintain stability under sustained loads.
  • GPIO expansion: Equipped with the PiTower Gen2-PRD-GPIO Board for convenient connection of external sensors and expansion modules.
  • Physical power button and touch button: Supports power-on, normal shutdown, forced shutdown, display toggling, and ambient light toggling.
  • Modular assembly: Uses a staged Component I–V installation process for easy maintenance and upgrades.
  • Aluminum alloy and acrylic construction: Balances strength, heat dissipation, and internal visibility.

Product Specifications

Item Specification
Product Name PiTower Gen 2 Mini PC Case
Compatible Board Raspberry Pi 5
NVMe SSD Supports 2230 / 2242 / 2260 / 2280
Display 2.8-inch IPS LCD
Resolution 240 × 320
Brightness 200 cd/m²
Materials Aluminum alloy, acrylic panels
Dimensions 134.5 × 127 × 76 mm
Weight 384.5 g
Display Positioning Dedicated secondary display for real-time status monitoring; not intended to serve as the primary interactive touchscreen

Raspberry Pi 5, SD card, and NVMe SSD must be purchased separately. NVMe SSD compatibility reference: https://docs.pineberrypi.com/nvme-compatibility-list

Package Contents

Accessory List

  • Enclosure Main Body
  • Front Acrylic Board
  • Rear Acrylic Board
  • RPI5 Interface Board
  • PiTower Gen2-PRD-GPIO Board
  • RPI5 Cooler
  • White Rivet
  • Thermal conductive silicone
  • 16P Cable 35 mm
  • CR1220 battery
  • M2×8 screws × 12
  • M2×4 screws × 6
  • M2×3 screws × 2
  • Screwdriver

Interfaces and Functions

Power Button

Power Button and Touch Button

Operation Function
Single click Power on
Press and hold for 3–5 seconds Normal shutdown
Press and hold for 10 seconds Forced shutdown; use only when the system is frozen or malfunctioning

Touch Button

Operation Function
Single click Turn the LCD on/off
Quick double-click Turn the ambient light on/off

Status Display

The LCD displays the real-time status of the device and the Raspberry Pi operating system. It is a dedicated secondary display and should not be treated as a primary touchscreen or graphical desktop.

Assembly Guide

Turn off the power and disconnect all cables before assembly. Prepare a Phillips screwdriver and verify that none of the Raspberry Pi 5 GPIO pins are bent.

Component I: Raspberry Pi 5 and Cooler

Component I

  1. Attach the thermal conductive silicone to the corresponding location on the Raspberry Pi 5 chip.
  2. Remove the release liner from the thermal conductive silicone.
  3. If booting from an SD card, insert the SD card first.
  4. Install the RPI5 Cooler using the white rivets.
  5. Connect the RPI5 Cooler power cable.

Component II: Battery and NVMe SSD

Component II

  1. Install the CR1220 battery in the designated battery holder, observing the correct polarity.
  2. Insert the NVMe SSD into the interface.
  3. Secure the SSD with two M2×3 screws.

Component III: Case, GPIO Board, and Cable

Component III Component III Cable

  1. Place Component I and Component II into the enclosure main body and connect them.
  2. Route the BAT cable out through the designated opening in the case as shown.
  3. Connect the PiTower Gen2-PRD-GPIO Board to the Raspberry Pi 5.
  4. Lift the No. 1, 2, and 3 cable-management bases shown in the illustration.
  5. Connect the 16P, 35 mm cable as shown, then close the bottom cover.
  6. Secure all marked positions with six M2×4 screws to complete Component III.

Component IV: Interface Board and Fan

Component IV

  1. Secure the RPI5 Interface Board from the rear of the case using four M2×8 screws.
  2. Connect all fan plugs and verify that they are fully inserted.
  3. Organize the cables to ensure that the fan blades and air inlets/outlets are not obstructed.

Component V: Acrylic Panels

Completed Assembly

  1. Install the Rear Acrylic Board first.
  2. Then install the Front Acrylic Board.
  3. Secure the panels with eight M2×8 screws.
  4. Tighten the screws only moderately; excessive force may crack the acrylic.

Assembly Checklist

  • The Raspberry Pi 5, SSD, and CR1220 battery are secured.
  • The 16P cable is oriented correctly, firmly connected, and not pinched by the bottom cover.
  • The GPIO board, interface board, and all fan connectors are firmly connected.
  • No screws, release liners, or packaging materials remain inside the case.
  • The firmware has been installed before powering on.

Firmware and First Boot

Before powering on for the first time, the PiTower Gen 2 firmware and system services must be written to the SD card or SSD. Otherwise, the power button, touch button, and LCD may not work properly.

Installation Process

  1. Prepare an SD card or NVMe SSD with Raspberry Pi OS installed.
  2. Open the official firmware repository and download the firmware and system services matching the current hardware.
  3. Import the firmware to the boot media according to the repository README.
  4. Install the boot media in the Raspberry Pi 5.
  5. Connect the power after completing the case assembly.
  6. Check the LCD, fan, power button, touch button, and ambient light.

Official repository: Elecrow-RD/PiTower_Gen2

Firmware and services may change between versions. If the repository instructions differ from this page, follow the README, Releases, and installation scripts in the repository.

Usage Instructions

Normal Startup and Shutdown

Use system commands or the power button for normal shutdown. Use the 10-second forced shutdown only when the system is unresponsive; forcibly cutting power may damage the file system.

SSD Usage

Turn off the power before installing the SSD. Verify that the SSD is fully inserted into the interface and secured with M2×3 screws to prevent poor contact caused by vibration.

GPIO Expansion

Before connecting sensors or other GPIO peripherals, verify the voltage, current, and pin definitions. Do not connect or disconnect GPIO expansion cables while powered on.

Troubleshooting

LCD, Buttons, or Lighting Not Responding

Verify that the official firmware and system services are installed; check the orientation and connection status of both ends of the 16P cable; power off and reconnect the relevant connectors.

Cannot Power On

Verify that the power supply meets Raspberry Pi 5 requirements, check that the boot media is installed correctly, and try clicking the power button once. Do not repeatedly use the 10-second forced shutdown.

Fan Not Spinning or Excessive Temperature

Power off and check the fan cables for the RPI5 Cooler and interface board; verify that the thermal conductive silicone is properly attached, the white rivets are locked, and the air inlets/outlets are not blocked by cables or foreign objects.

SSD Not Detected

Verify that the SSD is a 2230/2242/2260/2280 model, then reinsert and secure it; check the Raspberry Pi OS boot configuration and NVMe support status.

Acrylic Panel Loose or Cracked

Check that the correct M2×8 screws were used and tighten them evenly in a diagonal sequence. Secure the acrylic only until it is no longer loose; do not apply excessive force.

Safety Information

  • Disconnect the power before assembly, disassembly, or rewiring.
  • Do not power on while metal foreign objects are present inside the case.
  • The CR1220 is a coin-cell battery. Keep it away from children and avoid short-circuiting, installing it backward, heating, or swallowing it.
  • Acrylic panels scratch and crack easily; clean them with a soft cloth.
  • Use only power supplies and storage devices that meet Raspberry Pi 5 requirements.
  • During extended high-load operation, keep the area around the case well ventilated and do not cover the air inlets/outlets.

How to Purchase

PiTower Gen 2 product page:

Elecrow - PiTower Gen 2 Mini PC Case

Before purchasing, confirm:

  • Whether Raspberry Pi 5, an SD card, and an NVMe SSD must be purchased separately.
  • Whether the order includes the interface board, GPIO board, cooler, cable, and screw kit.
  • Shipping regions, inventory, pricing, and after-sales terms, based on the current information on the Elecrow product page.