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JEDEDC publishes new CAMM2 memory module standard
- metaphor 3y agoThis article[1] may be contextually useful. [1] https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ram/new-incredibly-tiny-ram-sticks-that-jam-up-to-128gb-of-memory-in-a-laptop-get-industrys-stamp-of-approval-camm2-standard-ratified-by-jedec https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ram/new-incredibl...
- Tempest1981 3y agoCool. How many pins on the connector? 560? vs 288 on a DDR5 DIMM? I can't find any pictures/vids of the connector. Would love to see how the stacked config looks/connects.
- colejohnson66 3y agoI took a look at the standard, and it's a 7x44 connector for each channel of memory. That gives 308 connection points, which is slightly more than 288 on a DIMM. Dual-channel modules (as shown in the article) simply double the number of pins to a 14x44 connector (616 pins)
- GeekyBear 3y agoHere's another: https://www.anandtech.com/show/21069/modular-lpddr-becomes-a-reality-samsung-introduces-lpcamm-memory-modules https://www.anandtech.com/show/21069/modular-lpddr-becomes-a...
- wejick 3y agoThanks, I thought it's talking about data compression. So clueless to not understand what the article talks about, as I was expecting things like hardware accelerated RAM.
- undersuit 3y agoCPU packages are starting to have issues with too much or too little pressure from the heatsink mounting to cause pin contact issues too. AMD Threadripper has a $30 torque wrench that is suggested to secure the package.
- o11c 3y agoMost relevant bits: > Notably, CAMM2 will make non-soldered LPDDR5(X) memory possible > Another benefit of CAMM2 is that it means multiple memory modules aren't necessary to activate dual-channel memory. Edit: a different HN post's URL was https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/12/camm-standard-published-opening-door-for-thin-speedy-ram-to-overtake-so-dimm/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/12/camm-standard-publis...
- fomine3 3y agoLPDDR module support is SO great, I've never expected this to come. Great work by industries.
- tech2 3y agoI'm a big fan of the idea of CAMM in general. It's this, or we end up with locked-in amounts of RAM as per things like the M[1-3] Macbooks. The connectors won't be cheap, so I suspect uptake for laptops might not be so common, but this is a big help for desktops going forward.
- tommiegannert 3y agoThickness seems to be a major selling point here. I wonder why there aren't any board-to-board edge connectors that would allow placing RAM expansion boards next to the motherboard, instead of on top of it. Given how small laptop motherboards are nowadays, it feels like there would be some room for this.
- gbin 3y agoThe issue is that the RAM needs to be close to the CPU and the edge that is the closest to the CPU is probably where designers want to put the cooling exhaust and radiator.
- vladvasiliu 3y agoThat's not always the case. My last three laptops have the RAM hanging off the edge of the mainboard. The SO-DIMM connectors are where the board stops, and there's "nothing" under the modules. The CPU is actually in the middle of the MB, close to the two edges (top and bottom), but the cooling fan and heatsink are to one side, connected via some heat pipes.
- jeffbee 3y agoSO-DIMMs are regular DDR, not LPDDR.
- tech2 3y agoI think that one of the issues with edge-connectors (beyond thickness and distance as mentioned in another comment) is capacitance, which is one reason why CAMM is structured the way it is.
- borissk 3y agoIs the CAMM 1 used anywhere other than Dell Precision laptops?
- adrian_b 3y agoFrom the new standard: "CAMM2 is this JEDEC standard version while prior CAMMs have been proprietary." So CAMM 1, i.e. "prior CAMMs" has been confined to Dell laptops. It is nice that Dell has given the specification to JEDEC, to avoid the proliferation of incompatible vendor-locked memory modules. Of course, this will also be beneficial for Dell, because the CAMM modules will become cheaper when there will be a larger market for them.
- phendrenad2 3y agoAlso, potentially patent royalties, unless Dell waives them.
- Already__Taken 3y agohopefully waived and the likes of a CM5 would use it
- theogravity 3y agoVideo of CAMM1 on a dell laptop: https://www.pcmag.com/news/what-is-camm-perhaps-the-future-look-of-memory-in-laptops https://www.pcmag.com/news/what-is-camm-perhaps-the-future-l...
- phendrenad2 3y agoHmm a compression connector. So like modern CPU sockets.
- schmorptron 3y agoThis is a great development. It looks to greatly decrease the advantages soldered ram has compared to upgradable SODIMMs in laptops. It both allows for LPDDR5 ram and for slightly thinner designs. Hoping we'll see this in consumer laptops soon and for prices to get to about what SODIMMs cost right now maybe a year later?
- eternityforest 3y agoI wonder if we'll see something like this to replace soldered flash chips too
- doublepg23 3y agoLinus Tech Tips video from a year ago on CAMM - usual disclaimer about clickbait thumbnails but the content is very good. https://youtu.be/WXp4g-KzdAI https://youtu.be/WXp4g-KzdAI
- Incipient 3y agoGreat content or no, ltt as a person and org have shown themselves to be pretty awful. Plenty of good sources of info that aren't them.
- doublepg23 3y agoI found the criticism of LTT to be unfounded beyond the mishap with the prototype cooler. I'm more skeptical of them now but until I have good reason to believe they haven't followed through with their promises of improving their internal processes, I'll continue watching their videos.