Computer RAM gets its biggest upgrade in 25 years, but it may be too little too late – LPCAMM2 won’t stop Apple, Intel and AMD from integrating memory directly onto the CPU
Modern computers use SO-DIMM or Low-power DDR (LPDDR) RAM. LPDDR surpasses DDR5 in speed and comes in a form factor that reduces power consumption and footprint while improving performance. However, LPDDR memory is not modular and must be soldered to the motherboard, meaning replacement for repairs or upgrades is not practical.
CAMM is a new form factor for laptop RAM that has just been adopted by the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association and named CAMM2. This technology is thinner and faster than the SO-DIMM standard and promises a speed boost for future laptops. However, that is not the only advantage.
LPCAMM2 leverages the benefits of LPDDR5X components, but in a modular form. This represents the first-ever entry into a modular LPDDR-based memory solution, revolutionizing the field for designers and users. It will also be of particular benefit to data center operators as it reduces energy consumption.
A future, not THE future
LPCAMM2 enables stacking of up to 16 DRAM components within a single package, reducing memory architecture and saving space in laptops (the form factor takes up to 64% less space than a dual-SO-DIMM stack), improving the paving the way for thinner, lighter laptop designs.
Despite these advantages, LPCAMM2 requires a new type of socket, which increases costs. However, it serves as a single memory module designed to fill both memory channels (128 bits in total), which will ultimately lead to cost savings.
In theory, LPCAMM2 is an ideal memory solution, but it will take a while before it is fully adopted by laptop manufacturers. That’s not the only obstacle she faces. Technology giants like Apple have integrated memory into the processor, an approach that removes traditional bottlenecks and makes RAM much more efficient. The arrival of LPCAMM2 is great news, but it seems unlikely to stop or reverse this trend.