Micron Unveils LPDDR5X-based LPCAMM2 Memory, Setting New Industry Standard

Micron Technology introduces the industry's first standard low-power compression attached memory module (LPCAMM2) for PCs, offering improved performance, energy-efficiency, space savings, and modularity, with production set to begin in the first half of 2024.

Improved performance and energy-efficiency
Space savings and modularity
Collaboration with key client PC OEMs and ecosystem enablers

Micron Technology, a leading semiconductor company, has introduced the industry’s first standard low-power compression attached memory module (LPCAMM2) for PCs. This innovative form factor, available in capacities ranging from 16 GB to 64 GB, offers improved performance, energy-efficiency, space savings, and modularity. With production set to begin in the first half of 2024, LPCAMM2 represents a significant advancement in client PC technology.

The incorporation of Micron’s LPDDR5X DRAM into the LPCAMM2 form factor brings notable benefits. It provides up to 61% lower power consumption and up to 71% better performance for essential workloads such as web browsing and video conferencing, as demonstrated by PCMark 10 tests. Additionally, the LPCAMM2 offers a 64% reduction in space compared to traditional small outline dual inline memory modules (SODIMMs).

As the use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) expands to client PCs, the performance of the memory subsystem becomes increasingly crucial. The LPCAMM2 delivers the necessary performance to process AI workloads on PCs while offering scalability for applications that require high performance and low power in a compact and modular form factor. Furthermore, it allows for the upgrade of low power DRAM, providing flexibility as customer needs evolve.

Praveen Vaidyanathan, Vice President and General Manager of Micron’s Compute Products Group, highlighted the transformative nature of the LPCAMM2 product. Vaidyanathan stated that it will enhance the capabilities of AI-enabled Laptops, offering best-in-class performance per watt in a flexible and modular form factor.

The development of the LPCAMM2 form factor was made possible through Micron’s collaboration with key client PC original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and ecosystem enablers. In addition to product development, this endeavor involved innovative advancements in test hardware, methodologies, and automation technologies to ensure efficient production.

The LPCAMM2 offers several other advantages, including higher performance with LPDDR5X, up to 80% system standby power savings for improved battery life, up to 7% better performance for digital content creation workloads, and up to 15% improvement for productivity workloads in PCMark 10 tests. Its modularity enables critical serviceability functionality for enterprise IT users and administrators, while a single PCB for all module capacities provides supply chain flexibility to OEM and ODM customers. Furthermore, the LPCAMM2 simplifies motherboard routing complexity compared to SODIMMs.

Leading technology companies, such as Lenovo and Intel, have expressed their support for the LPCAMM2 form factor. Lenovo’s Executive Director and Distinguished Engineer, Yasumichi Tsukamoto, praised the LPCAMM2 for its ability to deliver higher performance, scalable memory capacity, and improved battery life for mobile workstations and thin and light laptops. Intel’s Vice President of Memory and IO Technology, Dr. Dimitrios Ziakas, emphasized the technical advantages of LPCAMM2 technology in advancing sustainable low-power memory solutions and enabling new PC designs for the era of AI.

Micron’s partnership with Compal, a leading manufacturer of electronic devices, aims to design platforms that harness the high bandwidth, low power, and high-capacity capabilities of LPCAMM2 memory solutions. Compal’s Senior Vice President, Andy Lee, highlighted the importance of such memory solutions in supporting large language models and AI applications on edge devices like laptops and mobile workstations.

In a move, Micron will also offer Crucial LPCAMM2 memory products directly to end customers. This allows laptop users, including gamers, professionals on-the-go, and content creators, to upgrade their memory themselves—an industry first for low-power memory. Crucial LPCAMM2 products are expected to be available in the first half of 2024 on www.crucial.com, providing users with greater flexibility and control over their system configurations.

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Background Information

About Intel: Intel Corporation, a global technology leader, is for its semiconductor innovations that power computing and communication devices worldwide. As a pioneer in microprocessor technology, Intel has left an indelible mark on the evolution of computing with its processors that drive everything from PCs to data centers and beyond. With a history of advancements, Intel's relentless pursuit of innovation continues to shape the digital landscape, offering solutions that empower businesses and individuals to achieve new levels of productivity and connectivity.

About Lenovo: Lenovo, formerly known as "Legend Holdings," is a important global technology company that offers an extensive portfolio of computers, smartphones, servers, and electronic devices. Notably, Lenovo acquired IBM's personal computer division, including the ThinkPad line of laptops, in 2005. With a strong presence in laptops and PCs, Lenovo's products cater to a wide range of consumer and business needs. Committed to innovation and quality, Lenovo delivers reliable and high-performance solutions, making it a significant player in the tech industry.

About Micron Technology: Micron Technology, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, is a global leader in innovative memory and storage solutions. Founded in 1978 by Ward Parkinson, Joe Parkinson, Dennis Wilson, and Doug Pitman, Micron has played a pivotal role in advancing semiconductor technology. The company produces dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), flash memory, and USB flash drives. Micron’s products cater to various applications, including AI, automotive, mobile devices, data centers, and client PCs. Their commitment to innovation and memory technology has positioned them as a key player in the industry.

Technology Explained

LPDDR5X: LPDDR5X is a type of computer memory technology that is used in many modern computers. It stands for Low Power Double Data Rate 5X and is a type of Random Access Memory (RAM). It is designed to be more efficient than its predecessors, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and lower power consumption. This makes it ideal for use in laptops, tablets, and other mobile devices. It is also used in gaming consoles and other high-end computers. LPDDR5X is capable of transferring data at up to 8400 megabits per second, making it one of the fastest types of RAM available. This makes it ideal for applications that require high performance, such as gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering.

PCB: Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) are the backbone of the modern computer industry. They are thin boards made of a non-conductive material, such as fiberglass, with a thin layer of copper on top. This copper layer is etched with a pattern of electrical pathways that connect the various components of a computer together. PCBs are used in almost every electronic device, from computers to cell phones, and are essential for the functioning of these devices. They provide a reliable and efficient way to connect the components of a computer, allowing for faster and more reliable communication between them. The use of PCBs has revolutionized the computer industry, allowing for smaller, faster, and more reliable computers.