Back in 2022, we at San-Easy Life analyzed the innovative CAMM memory module design. We highlighted that compared to older SODIMM memory slots, CAMM’s greatest advantage is its significant reduction in the thickness and footprint of the memory “slots,” freeing up precious internal space for the swappable memory module itself.
In summary, a single CAMM module can achieve a complete 128-bit dual-channel configuration, with capacities of up to 128GB or more. In contrast, traditional SODIMM slots require two slots and more space to maximize bandwidth, but with much smaller capacities. Therefore, CAMM modules are a key advancement in enabling lightweight laptop designs with large memory capacities.
Since Dell first introduced CAMM modules in their laptops and workstations at the end of 2022, the technology hasn’t gained widespread adoption. The reasons are understandable: aside from the resistance to new technology and redesign costs, the first generation of CAMM focused too much on high capacity at the expense of frequency.
Looking across the mobile PC market, the products that need “expandable memory” the most are workstations and gaming PCs. The latter’s users would not easily accept a memory solution that compromises higher frequency and lower latency purely for capacity.
Moreover, the first generation of CAMM was so focused on “capacity” that, although thin, its footprint was large and could only fit laptops of 16-17 inches or larger. Smaller devices were unlikely to be compatible.
As a result, even though CAMM memory was mass-produced and launched in 2022, its limited use in gaming laptops didn’t come as a surprise.
However, by 2024, the situation has changed because the technology has evolved.
The new specification, LPCAMM2, has notable changes compared to the original CAMM.
Firstly, LPCAMM2 is significantly smaller. It still achieves a full 128-bit configuration with a single module, but its footprint has shrunk from nearly the size of two SODIMMs to around 40% of a single SODIMM. Essentially, it’s comparable to the size of two SD cards. This makes it feasible to fit even smaller 13-inch laptops, tablets, and x86 handheld devices.
Secondly, LPCAMM2 has significantly improved the module’s operating frequency. In the CAMM era, frequencies were around 4800MT/s or less, especially for high-capacity models. However, the smaller footprint of LPCAMM2 seems to have improved its electrical performance (shorter traces), allowing it to achieve a 96GB capacity and a high frequency of 7500MT/s. This far exceeds the 5600MT/s found in some gaming laptops and is on par with the bandwidth of ultra-compact laptops.
Additionally, LPCAMM2 boasts greater capacity and lower working voltage than mainstream SODIMM memory. Its screw mounting method is also more reliable than SODIMM’s spring clips, making it resistant to disconnection due to external impacts.
Given these features, LPCAMM2 comprehensively surpasses traditional SODIMM laptop memory designs in terms of space efficiency, reliability, performance, capacity, and power consumption. It’s set to be the best solution for replaceable, upgradeable memory in laptops, x86 tablets, and similar devices.
Thus, if the first-generation CAMM was “unpopular” due to its size and insufficient frequency, not using LPCAMM2 in future laptops could only be justified by vested interests rather than any technical rationale.
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