What is CAMM2? Meet the faster, smaller, upgradeable new memory standard

[Admin]

CAMM2 and its sleeker laptop version, LPCAMM2, are part of a new memory standard allowing for slimmer, cleaner devices and faster performance.

What is CAMM2? Meet the faster, smaller, upgradeable new memory standard : Read more

 

[kyzarvs]

"Recently, many of the biggest PC vendors have soldered RAM to the motherboard to save space in laptops rather than using SO-DIMMs"

That's generous - I'm sticking to the cynical view that it's a blatant way to charge more and won't change no matter what interface is available!

 

[35below0]

What is the spec for the CAMM2 "socket" on a motherboard? For example, is a motherboard limited to say 7200 MT/s? Or limited to 32 Gb modules?
Or can a module be swapped out for a faster one, or for higher capacity?

It's a serious drawback if memory is not upgradeable. On the other hand, if it's just a matter of swapping one module for another, then it's a great convenience.
Also, if future BIOS updates unlock greater capacity or performance, that's a plus.

64Gb of DDR5 RAM at 9600 MT/s is hot stuff in 2024. more than neccessary for sure. But as some have pointed out, being limited to 64Gb is a problem for users who need 128 Gb or more.
I'm sure pricy motherboards could be offered to accomodate their needs though.

 

[DiegoSynth]

I think we can already drop the "advantage" of being "easier to repair" that I've seen in many articles, like a copy paste. None of these things are "easy to repair", and I don't think they are normally repaired.

I think they can be useful for laptops to certain extent (as laptop RAMs are also laying almost flat). But I don't see any benefit for desktop. And the fact that they lay flat reduces the possibilities of having multiple modules as we have now, meaning less chances to add, but more to replace.

I don't know; time will say, but for now, it just looks like a great excuse to make us buy new motherboards and RAM.

 

[Eximo]

Yeah, shame they keep coming out with new products for sale. Darn those manufacturers forcing me to buy things they sell.

 

[35below0]

But I don't see any benefit for desktop. And the fact that they lay flat reduces the possibilities of having multiple modules as we have now

That is a benefit right there. Instead of having to fiddle with multiple sticks, you have same performance/spec on one piece.

meaning less chances to add, but more to replace.

You're ignoring how extremly finnicky the upgrade process is. You're far better off selling your RAM and buying a new kit, than risking adding more sticks. Mixed kits are nothing but trouble

That's the key (supposed) benefit struck down. So it comes down to installing a 2 piece or 4 piece kit into a 4 slot "socket" for lack of a better word, versus installing a 1 piece kit into an area roughly the same size.
In addition, a 2 piece kit is prefered in almost all cases except for some AMD CPUs. Most of the time installing 4 sticks will require a more expensive motherboard or will be limited, speed-wise.


Further benefit of CAMM2 is air cooler compatibility.
There are many benefits for desktops if you think about it. And so far, no penalty aside possibly the area taken up by the RAM, and possible difficulty swapping kits.

 

[Eximo]

Personally, I haven't added memory to a system in the last 20ish years? A few replacements here and there.

I want to say the last time was in DDR2 days. Went from 2GB to 6GB when I installed Windows 7 64 bit. Every system after that the memory was purchased with the board and stayed in until replacement, never additional.

After that I had 3x4GB DDR3, and then DDR3/DDR4 2x8GB kits until recently when 2x16GB kits made more sense to purchase.

If I can get a 64GB CAMM module, I would stick with that until the next standard. Or when CPUs and memory stop being socketed altogether, or when modular memory becomes a secondary memory expansion system rather than primary system memory.

 

[Rouxenator]

One step closer to killing dGPU and ending the graphics card cartel

 

[DiegoSynth]

Personally, I haven't added memory to a system in the last 20ish years? A few replacements here and there.

I want to say the last time was in DDR2 days. Went from 2GB to 6GB when I installed Windows 7 64 bit. Every system after that the memory was purchased with the board and stayed in until replacement, never additional.

After that I had 3x4GB DDR3, and then DDR3/DDR4 2x8GB kits until recently when 2x16GB kits made more sense to purchase.

If I can get a 64GB CAMM module, I would stick with that until the next standard. Or when CPUs and memory stop being socketed altogether, or when modular memory becomes a secondary memory expansion system rather than primary system memory.

Well I understand there will always be different cases. For me it's normal to add things as years go by. I actually choose the components with that in mind.
About large amounts (>=64) I agree that it is probably a pain. But in DIMM world, 1 stick is much more expensive than 2. So I'm curious about 1 64GB CAMM price.

 

[DiegoSynth]

That is a benefit right there. Instead of having to fiddle with multiple sticks, you have same performance/spec on one piece.



You're ignoring how extremly finnicky the upgrade process is. You're far better off selling your RAM and buying a new kit, than risking adding more sticks. Mixed kits are nothing but trouble

That's the key (supposed) benefit struck down. So it comes down to installing a 2 piece or 4 piece kit into a 4 slot "socket" for lack of a better word, versus installing a 1 piece kit into an area roughly the same size.
In addition, a 2 piece kit is prefered in almost all cases except for some AMD CPUs. Most of the time installing 4 sticks will require a more expensive motherboard or will be limited, speed-wise.


Further benefit of CAMM2 is air cooler compatibility.
There are many benefits for desktops if you think about it. And so far, no penalty aside possibly the area taken up by the RAM, and possible difficulty swapping kits.

I've had a different experience. I've added modules many times, and if you are careful, there shouldn't be any trouble. That plus an extra drive has actually extended the life of my computers. Later ona GPU, and so on.

You are right: it may not be for the average user which doesn't really want to deal with specs and stuff. But simplicity comes with a cost which tends to be limitation.

I totally get that from an appearance point of view it may look better.
I'm not gonna resent it, but if there's nothing wrong with DIMMs, then why not to focus on fixing what's actually not right in track? (GPUs *cough*, *cough*).