RAM on many computers is about to become obsolete

The new RAM standard with many advantages will become the standard of the personal computer industry in the next few years. The problem lies in the update time and the selling price of components.

CAMM2 RAM standard for PC. Photo: Kingston.

CAMM2 is considered one of the most valuable hardware upgrades in the computer components industry in recent years. It provides a high-speed and efficient solution for both PCs and laptops.

The original design of the CAMM (Compression Attached Memory Module) standard came from Dell. The prototype was then sent to the JEDEC memory format standardization association to expand the solution. Since then, computers with this standard RAM have gradually appeared but are not yet popular. It was not until Computex 2024 that CAMM2-enabled devices and components made an impression.

CAMM2 RAM can be placed next to the CPU without obstructing convection airflow. Photo: MSI.

Lenovo’s ThinkPad P1 gen 7 is the first laptop to support this standard. At Computex 2024, MSI also showcased motherboards that support the new type of RAM. Major component manufacturers soon joined the CAMM2 race. In particular, Kingston has just introduced the Kingston FURY Impact DDR5 series according to the new standard, with a capacity of 32 GB per stick. The introduced product is high-performance and energy-saving with a more compact size.

CAMM2 RAM sticks are rectangular in shape, suitable for both servers, PCs, and laptops. The most important difference lies in the way it is installed. The memory attaches to the computer with screws instead of a clip-lock style. The operation is not too complicated for the end user, similar to how to install an SSD.

The horizontal layout helps to limit the occupancy of space inside the apparatus. This change is beneficial for new laptops, which must prioritize thinness. Previously, many manufacturers chose to use RAM “soldered to death” on the board. CAMM2 can become a way to help optimize space while maintaining upgradeability.

With PCs, the solution to attach RAM to the board does not interfere with the airflow in the case. This component can be placed closer to the CPU, optimizing bandwidth when processing high-speed demanding tasks.

However, the problem of CAMM2 is still the same as many other new solutions. Users will not have too many choices in the beginning, the price difference with the old standard and capacity.

The main competitor of this standard is the SoC (System-on-chip) solution that has been favored by Apple and many companies recently. Placing memory as a common component in the processor optimizes chip capacity and reduces latency. What users have to trade off is limited upgradability.