CAMM: The way forward for laptop computer reminiscence has arrived
Goodbye, SO-DIMM: Memory overseer JEDEC will formally undertake the “CAMM Common Spec” as the subsequent RAM module normal for laptops.
JEDEC, the reminiscence group that homologates RAM requirements, is within the technique of hammering out the brand new spec to switch the essential SO-DIMMs which have been in use for 25 years, in response to JEDEC committee member, and Dell Senior Distinguished Engineer Tom Schnell.
Schnell truly created the unique CAMM—or Compression Attached Memory Module—design for Dell final 12 months. JEDEC’s CAMM normal might be based mostly on that CAMM design however is more likely to be considerably totally different as firms hammer it out.
While the adoption of latest {hardware} requirements may be fraught, with hand-wringing, foot-dragging, and all of the friction of a negotiation amongst co-workers over the place to get lunch, JEDEC appears to have managed it pretty simply.
JEDEC’s CAMM might be based mostly on, however doubtless not precisely the identical as, Dell’s unique CAMM that was carried out in some Dell Precision laptops final 12 months.
Dell
In reality, Schnell mentioned, the acceptance went over fairly nicely with the 20 firms or so within the activity group voting for it.
“We have unanimous approval of the 0.5 spec,” Schnell informed PCWorld. Schnell mentioned JEDEC is concentrating on the second half of the 2023 to finalize the 1.0 spec, with CAMM-based programs out by subsequent 12 months.
Who are the businesses that voted for it? Schnell can’t say, as that’s as much as every member to disclose, however group covers the vary of suppliers, from SoC, to connectors, to OEMs, and all unanimously voted to undertake the CAMM Common Spec, with no dissenters. There are presently 332 firms listed in JEDEC, from Apple to ZTE, every concerned in several facets of reminiscence in several industries.
For those that haven’t adopted it, Dell launched its CAMM design in April 2022 with the goal of changing the many years outdated SO-DIMM design that has been utilized in most gaming and workstation laptops to this point. CAMM’s principal enchantment is that it allows increased reminiscence density whereas additionally scaling to ever increased clock speeds.
Some of the motivation for expediency doubtless comes from the fast-approaching “brick wall” dealing with laptops when SO-DIMMs hit at DDR5/6400.
Schnell mentioned the CAMM spec is way from finalized, however the first JEDEC CAMM modules ought to take over proper the place SO-DIMM ends at 6400.
An illustration from Dell reveals the convoluted path the reminiscence traces take to get from the CPU in a SO-DIMM (higher left) versus the corporate’s new CAMM and cDIMM (decrease proper.)
Dell
CAMM isn’t proprietary
When Dell first launched CAMM, it was considerably misunderstood as a proprietary spec that will “lock prospects” right into a design. Dell has mentioned that’s by no means been its intention and the quick approval appears to vindicate that. Schnell addressed that preliminary concern, with the adoption underway.
“Dell is a big firm, we don’t hold the lights on as a result of we get royalties for a patent,” he mentioned. “We principally wish to get better the price of inventing it, and implementing it.”
Besides, going it alone is solely not how the PC world works.
“We’re a part of the PC trade and the PC trade is constructed out of an ecosystem of companions, suppliers all feeding in,” Schnell mentioned. “Yes, Dell does nice innovation of our personal in our programs, however we additionally combine a number of improvements from lots of people.”
The way forward for CAMM
With CAMM being hammered out now, Schnell did lay out some attainable paths for CAMM because it replaces SO-DIMM. DDR6 is an apparent street, he mentioned, however CAMM even allows the opportunity of LPDDR6 on a replaceable module. LPDDR, or low-power DDR RAM, has lengthy been most well-liked for smaller and thinner laptops in addition to telephones for energy financial savings. It’s additionally lengthy been carried out solely as soldered-on.
Schnell foresees a model of CAMM enabling the efficiency and energy advantages of LPDDR, however in a replaceable and upgradeable module. With JEDEC adopting CAMM now, that future will get nearer.