The JEDEC organization has given free rein for the arrival of CAMM (Compression Attached Memory Module), a new laptop memory design proposed by Dell that could eventually replace SODIMM format Used last 25 years.
The industrial group that approves, among other standards, memories for electronic products, has approved specification 0.5 of this new format. Version 1.0 of the standard could be developed in the second half of 2023 and from then on the first solutions would be marketed. Although they may be different from the original design, the concept can be extended by all manufacturers.
What is CAMM?
Is a new type of removable memory capable of delivering higher capacity and higher clock rates, while taking up less thickness, the most important dimension in increasingly thin laptops. It was proposed by Dell last year and the approval by JEDEC anticipates that it will become a standard in the future.
It must be said that RAM memory (random access memory) is a vital component in any computer and its application in laptops has been carried out in recent decades using SODIMM modules, although an increasing number of ultra-thin computers have opted to use soldered LPDDR memories. to the motherboard that lost the possibility of updating. Also, the performance of SODIMMs is rapidly approaching what they call “brick wall”which will happen when they reach the DDR5/6400 standard.
CAMM intends to overcome this problem in the laptops of the future. On the one hand they support faster speeds so they would have no problem using the upcoming DDR6 interface. Its high capacity would also be guaranteed with the possibility of mounting 128 GByte. Last but not least is a design that reduces thickness by 57% of a SODIMM module. Although it is longer and wider, in laptops it is a great advantage.
In addition, this format can be equipped with both DDR and LPDDR memories, which will allow PC manufacturers greater flexibility and use low-power memory generation without sacrificing repairability and upgradeability, as CAM is removable and therefore replaceable.
CAMM will be an open standard
When Dell introduced these memories for some Precision models, there was some controversy as to whether it was a proprietary format. The company ruled out that this was its intention. “We are part of the PC industry and it is built from an ecosystem of partners where all vendors feed”, has assured the engineer of Dell, Tom Schnell, one of the main suppliers. Now that JEDEC has adopted it, the debate is over.
As the final specification is far from finalized, Schnell has outlined some possible paths for CAMM as it (eventually) replaces SO-DIMM. DDR6 is an obvious path, but PC and memory module manufacturers will still need time to produce the hardware, and such transitions could take several years. On the downside, as with most new technology standards, is that will not be backwards compatible with current motherboards and modules.
