Dell
Transfer over, SO-DIMM. A brand new form of reminiscence module has been made authentic, and backers like Dell are hoping that it sooner or later replaces SO-DIMM (small define twin in-line reminiscence module) solely.
This month, JEDEC, a semiconductor engineering business group, introduced that it had printed the JESD318: Compression Connected Reminiscence Module (CAMM2) usual, as noticed by way of Tom’s Hardware.
CAMM2 was once firstly offered as CAMM by the use of Dell, which has been pushing for standardization because it introduced the era at CES 2022. Dell launched the one laptops with CAMM in 2022, the Dell Precision 7670 and 7770 workstations.
The usual contains DDR5 and LPDDR5/5X designs. The previous goals “efficiency notebooks and mainstream desktops,” and the latter is for “a broader vary of notebooks and likely server marketplace section,” JEDEC’s announcement mentioned.
They each and every have the similar connector however differing pinouts, so a DDR5 CAMM2 cannot be wrongfully fixed onto an LPDDR5/5X connector. CAMM2 implies that it is going to be conceivable to have non-soldered LPDD5X reminiscence. These days, you’ll simplest get LPDDR5X as soldered chips.
One more reason supporters are pushing CAMM2 is in attention of velocity, as SO-DIMM tops out at 6,400 MHz, with max supported speeds even decrease in four-DIMM designs. Many mainstream designs are not but at this threshold. However Dell firstly proposed CAMM so to get forward of this limitation (in large part via nearer touch between the module and motherboard). The printed CAMM2 usual says LPDDR5 DRAM CAMM2 “is anticipated to start out at 6,400 MTs and increment upward in cadence with the DRAM velocity features.”
Samsung in September introduced plans to supply LPDDR CAMM at 7.5Gbps, noting that it expects commercialization in 2024. Micron additionally plans to supply CAMM at as much as 9,600Mbps and 192GB-plus in keeping with module in overdue 2026, as in keeping with an organization street map shared by way of AnandTech ultimate month. Each bulletins had been made earlier than the CAMM2 usual was once printed, and we would not be shocked to peer timelines prolonged.
CAMM2 helps capacities of 8GB to 128GB on a unmarried module. This opens the opportunity of thinner laptop designs that do not sacrifice reminiscence or require RAM modules on either side of the motherboard. Dell’s Precision laptops with Dell’s authentic CAMM design is 57 p.c thinner than SO-DIMM, Dell mentioned. The laptops launched with as much as 128GB of DDR5-3600 throughout one module and thinness as little as 0.98 inches, with a 16-inch show.
Dell
Nominal module dimensions indexed in the usual level to “more than a few” shape elements for the modules, with the X-axis measuring 78 mm (3.07 inches) and the Y-axis 29.6–68 mm (1.17–2.68 inches).
Computer systems too can reach dual-channel reminiscence for extra bandwidth with one CAMM in comparison to SO-DIMM’s single-channel design. More room may result in higher room for such things as tool warmth control.
JEDEC’s announcement mentioned:
By means of splitting the dual-channel CAMM2 connector lengthwise into two single-channel CAMM2 connectors, each and every connector part can carry the CAMM2 to another stage. The primary connector part helps one DDR5 reminiscence channel at 2.85mm top whilst the second one part helps a unique DDR5 reminiscence channel at 7.5mm top. Or, all of the CAMM2 connector can be utilized with a dual-channel CAMM2. This scalability from single-channel and dual-channel configurations to long run multi-channel setups guarantees a vital spice up in reminiscence capability.
In contrast to their taller SO-DIMM opposite numbers, CAMM2 modules press towards an interposer, which has pins on either side to keep up a correspondence with the motherboard. On the other hand, it is also price noting that in comparison to SO-DIMM modules, CAMM2 modules are screwed in. Upgrades can be thought to be extra complicated since going from 8GB to 16GB, for instance, will require purchasing a complete new CAMM and eliminating the prior reasonably than simplest purchasing a 2d 8GB module.
JEDEC’s standardization will have to sooner or later make it less expensive for those portions to be created and sourced for various computer systems. It will additionally lend a hand adoption develop, however it is going to take years earlier than we will be expecting this CAMM2 to overhaul 26-year-old SO-DIMM, as Dell hopes. However with a couple of large names in the back of the usual and passion in thinner, extra tough computer systems, we will have to see a better push for those modules in computer systems within the coming years.
You’ll be able to obtain the CAMM2 usual from JEDEC’s website.
