JEDEC reportedly set to formalize Dell laptop memory standard
- Reference: 1673967788
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/01/17/jedec_to_formalize_dell_laptop/
- Source link:
CAMM, which stands for Compression Attached Memory Module, was introduced by Dell last year on some laptops as a new format ready for DDR5 DRAM technology, with the aim of enabling higher memory density and also supporting higher memory speeds.
But now it appears that the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association intends to take Dell’s CAMM design and formalize it into an official standard that other manufacturers will be able to use. This is according to [1]PCWorld , which cites Dell Senior Distinguished Engineer and JEDEC committee member Tom Schnell on the matter.
[2]
Dell's Precision 7670 with CAMM module – as seen [3]here
Schnell indicates that voting has already taken place to proceed with a draft version of the specifications. “We have unanimous approval of the 0.5 spec,” he is reported as saying, with JEDEC aiming to have the 1.0 specifications finalized in the second half of 2023 and production systems based on it out by next year.
We contacted JEDEC for confirmation of these reports, but the organization was not immediately available to respond.
[4]
The SODIMM standard has been in use for many years, and the need for a replacement is said to be driven by impending limitations that the specifications will soon bump up against.
[5]Blistering bandwidth: JEDEC pushes out HBM3 memory specs
[6]When the world ends, all that will be left are cockroaches and new Rowhammer attacks: RAM defenses broken again
[7]DRAM, it stacks up: SK hynix rolls out 819GB/s HBM3 tech
[8]Hot, synchronous DRAM: Next-gen memory tech spec DDR5 lands
These limitations mean that while a laptop could be fitted with DDR5/4800 modules, if a user wanted to fit up to 128GB of memory, it would have to be clocked back to DDR5/4000 performance. CAMM will allow 128GB of memory at DDR5/4800.
Dell’s CAMM modules are larger than SODIMMS, but fewer are needed in a laptop and the suggestion is that it will make for easier upgrades for end users with perhaps just a single easily accessible module needing to be replaced.
[9]
However, CAMM appears to be Dell’s intellectual property currently. It isn’t clear whether Dell intends to charge a license fee for every laptop or memory module based on the JEDEC specifications resulting from its technology, or whether the company will waive fees in order to encourage broader adoption.
JEDEC membership extends to over 300 organizations, including many of the largest computer manufacturers and memory industry companies. ®
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[1] https://www.pcworld.com/article/1473126/camm-the-future-of-laptop-memory-has-arrived.html
[2] https://regmedia.co.uk/2023/01/17/dell_precision_7670_cammb.jpg
[3] https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/workstations-isv-certified/precision-7670-workstation/spd/precision-16-7670-laptop/xctop7670usvp
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/storage&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2Y8bUNSXLZkTWqLhZSFm36AAAAFI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2022/01/28/jedec_pushes_out_hbm3_memory/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2021/11/15/rowhammer_blacksmith_memory/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2021/10/20/sk_hynix_hbm3/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2020/07/16/ddr5_sdram_spec_lands_with/
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/storage&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44Y8bUNSXLZkTWqLhZSFm36AAAAFI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[10] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: "CAMM will allow 128GB of memory at DDR5/4800"
Can you run Crysis on your 4kB OS?
Realistically, 128GB is a lot right now, but then we're seeing AAA games now recommend people have 32GB RAM to run them. So, high end stuff will start eating into it soon enough.
Re: "CAMM will allow 128GB of memory at DDR5/4800"
Games generally get a pass for me. While there are certainly exceptions, there are very smart people who work hard to keep them running as fast as possible. Most games also have to target at least one console, so there are always going to be devs working to do as much as possible on a fixed set of hardware.
I'm also pretty sure that most of the memory consumption of games is from uncompressed assets. They have to be uncompressed to be fast, so there you are.
But if you don't play games, it is pretty insane that the current standard is 16 GB. I'm looking at you webdevs with your bloody Electron for a start (ship a whole browser just to run a single glorified web page...)
Re: "CAMM will allow 128GB of memory at DDR5/4800"
What Andy giveth, Bill taketh away.
License fee
If Dell decide to charge other manufacturers a fee, then the standard probably won't take off. I would expect a competing standard to appear very quickly.
Only one module?
I like having more than one slot, so I can add memory in the future without having to throw away what I already have - I normally start with one slot filled with the most cost-effective size, add a larger one when the price drops, and replace the first if I need more (usually on to the next machine by then).
Except in the Apple world, where I buy "that seems enough and doesn't empty the bank" - and then find 5 years later that I've never maxed out.
"CAMM will allow 128GB of memory at DDR5/4800"
A laptop with 128GB of memory? What's it going to be used for?
I have a horrid suspicion that the interminable process goes: [1] bigger numbers attract sales; [2] "wow look at the resources we have, let's not bother about reducing bloat"; [3] more resources needed to run ordinary applications; [4] go to [1]
Way back in the '80s I co-authored a complete if basic disk operating system in 4kB.