LPCAMM2 improves RAM speeds on mobile platforms while using less power. The ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 comes with faster memory that can be removed from the motherboard with ease.
The ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 gets upgradeable LPDDR5X memory in the form of LPCAMM2, and users can remove it easily with a single screwdriver.
Upgradeable memory is a defining feature of most desktop PCs. The simple process of swapping DIMMs makes desktops a better choice than laptops when it comes to upgradability. Many laptops can do the same with SODIMM modules, but LPDDR5 and LPDDR5X still can't be upgraded on modern systems.
Fortunately, with the arrival of the LPCAMM2 memory design, laptops can now get the performance of faster LPDDR5X without having it soldered to the motherboard. A recent video on Bilibili demonstrates this. The user compares the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 - Mobile WorkStation (2023) with the Gen 7 laptop and shows how easy it is to take out the memory module.
The ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 uses DDR5 SODIMM memory rated at 5600 MT/s, but in practice it only reaches 5200 MT/s because of technical limitations. By contrast, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 can hit 7500 MT/s thanks to its LPDDR5X-based LPCAMM2 memory. Installing the memory is similar to fitting a standard M.2 drive, with three screws.
The memory is about the same size as a DDR5 SODIMM, but its performance and capability are far higher. One big problem, however, is cost. Adding LPCAMM2 memory costs nearly double what it does to solder LPDDR5X memory onto the motherboard. A 16 GB LPCAMM2 module costs about the same as a 32 GB LPDDR5X module, which makes the former look like a poor choice. Still, when you consider the total price of the laptop, it may not be quite that bad.
LPCAMM2 is smaller but still reaches memory speeds of up to 8533 MT/s. Major manufacturers such as Samsung, Micron, and GEIL launched their LPCAMM2 solutions a few months ago, and before long we will likely see LPCAMM2 become the new standard for high-end laptops. The CAMM2 standard is also expected to be adopted for desktop PCs, though only in a certain segment, since the standard is still relatively new. It promises a range of benefits, such as:
- Higher speeds
- Shorter PCB traces
- Lower latency
- Cooler operation
- And more..
LPCAMM2 meets JEDEC standardization and could bring major benefits to personal computers, laptops, and high-performance workstations. The memory uses about 60% less power than SODIMM, which reduces the heat it generates.
