# Can I use balenaFin 1.1 without Compute Module 3? **URL:** \ **Category:** balenaFin\ **Created:** [May 14, 2019, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/can-i-use-balenafin-1-1-without-compute-module-3/8844 "2019-05-14T13:46:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![trappswise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@trappswise](https://forums.balena.io/u/trappswise)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/can-i-use-balenafin-1-1-without-compute-module-3/8844/1 "2019-05-14T13:46:03Z")
Can I use balenaFin 1.1 without Compute Module 3? Essentially, is it possible to run the multicontainer setup on it without it, or is mandatory in complete lifecycle? ---
**Author:** ![curcuz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/curcuz/32/137_2.png) [@curcuz](https://forums.balena.io/u/curcuz)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/can-i-use-balenafin-1-1-without-compute-module-3/8844/3 "2019-05-14T13:51:51Z")
Hi @tappswise , the balenaFin (any version) is a carrier board for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3/3+ Lite and requires it to work. The only thing that would work without the module inserted, is the co-processor and its 18 EXP pins, but that is a simple micro-controller and not a linux capable device (in fact is meant to be an extension of the Compute Module) and I honestly think using the balenaFin as a micro-controller only would be way overkill 😃 ---
**Author:** ![trappswise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@trappswise](https://forums.balena.io/u/trappswise)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 2:03pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/can-i-use-balenafin-1-1-without-compute-module-3/8844/5 "2019-05-14T14:03:50Z")
I see. Cool. Would this then be a compatible module? ([https://nl.rs-online.com/web/p/products/1232012/](https://nl.rs-online.com/web/p/products/1232012/)) I see from pictures that the production year differs, but are there any major differences between using 3 or 3+ Lite? ---
**Author:** ![curcuz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/curcuz/32/137_2.png) [@curcuz](https://forums.balena.io/u/curcuz)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/can-i-use-balenafin-1-1-without-compute-module-3/8844/6 "2019-05-14T14:33:32Z")
both the CM3L (the one you linked) and the CM3+/Lite (the newer model) work on the balenaFin. The main difference between the 2 is thermal performance: the newer CM3+/Lite sports an embedded heatsink on the SoC and overall the PCB has been re-designed to have more reliable thermal performance under heavy load. You can read about it directly from the Raspberry Pi Foundation at this link: [https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/compute-module-3-on-sale-now-from-25/](https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/compute-module-3-on-sale-now-from-25/) ---
**Author:** ![john](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/john/32/2064_2.png) [@john](https://forums.balena.io/u/john)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2019, 6:30pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/can-i-use-balenafin-1-1-without-compute-module-3/8844/8 "2019-06-08T18:30:27Z")
Is the fin compatible with non-lite version of the CM3/CM3+? (I’m attempting to use a CM3+8gb and am wondering if this is why it’s not recognized). ---
**Author:** ![john](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/john/32/2064_2.png) [@john](https://forums.balena.io/u/john)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/can-i-use-balenafin-1-1-without-compute-module-3/8844/9 "2019-06-08T18:50:42Z")
I found the answer here: [Fixed: Balena Fin CM3+ Fails to Boot or present USB (rpiboot needed on new CM modules)](https://forums.balena.io/t/fixed-balena-fin-cm3-fails-to-boot-or-present-usb-rpiboot-needed-on-new-cm-modules/5214) The fin does seem to be compatible, but require rpiboot to be installed. ---
**Author:** ![curcuz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/curcuz/32/137_2.png) [@curcuz](https://forums.balena.io/u/curcuz)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2019, 8:50am UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/can-i-use-balenafin-1-1-without-compute-module-3/8844/11 "2019-06-26T08:50:07Z")
@john the balenaFin is **not** compatible with non-lite compute modules! you will likely end up with conflicting signals between the embedded eMMC and the compute module eMMC