Micron Technology, Inc. has recently unveiled the LPCAMM2, which is the industry's first standard low-power compression attached memory module. This new memory module is expected to bring enhanced performance, energy efficiency, space savings, and modularity, and will be available in capacities ranging from 16GB to 64GB.
LPCAMM2 Speed and Production Schedule
The LPCAMM2 memory module is designed to achieve speeds of up to 9600Mbps, which is significantly higher than the 5600Mbps offered by current DDR5 SODIMMs. Micron plans to start production of the LPCAMM2 by the first half of 2024, positioning it as the first disruptive form factor for client PCs since the introduction of SODIMMs in 1997.
Improved Performance and Power Efficiency
Micron's LPCAMM2 integrates LPDDR5X DRAM, which provides up to 71% better performance and up to 61% lower power consumption for essential workloads like web browsing and video conferencing. Additionally, it offers a remarkable 64% space savings compared to SODIMM offerings. With the growing prevalence of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) on client PCs, the LPCAMM2 is designed to meet the performance demands of AI workloads while maintaining low power consumption.
Transformative Nature and Benefits
Praveen Vaidyanathan, Vice President and General Manager of Micron's Compute Products Group, highlights the transformative nature of the LPCAMM2. He states that this new memory module will deliver best-in-class performance per watt in a flexible, modular form factor. It is expected to enhance the capabilities of AI-enabled laptops and allow for memory capacity upgrades as technology and user needs evolve.
Collaboration and Departure from Current Form Factors
The development of the LPCAMM2 involved collaboration with key client PC OEMs and ecosystem enablers. This memory solution represents a significant departure from current memory module form factors. It offers higher performance with LPDDR5X, achieving speeds of up to 9600Mbps. Additionally, it reduces system standby power by 80% for improved battery life and provides benefits in digital content creation and productivity workloads.
Modularity and Serviceability
The LPCAMM2 boasts modularity, enabling critical serviceability functionality for enterprise IT users and administrators. It features a single PCB for all module capacities, providing supply chain flexibility for OEM and ODM customers. Compared to SODIMMs, LPCAMM2 simplifies motherboard routing complexity.
Crucial LPCAMM2 Retail Products
Crucial, a brand owned by Micron, will make LPCAMM2 retail products available. This means that laptop users, including gamers and content creators, will be able to upgrade their system memory configuration. This marks an industry first for low-power memory. The Crucial LPCAMM2 products are expected to be available in the first half of 2024.
