Thursday, May 23rd 2024
Next Crop of MSI Project Zero Motherboards to Implement CAMM2 DDR5 Memory
The CAMM2 and LPCAMM2 form-factors were originally designed for thin-and-light notebooks, to provide them with memory replacements/upgrades without compromising on the Z-Height tolerances of the device's design. It looks like MSI sees a future for the CAMM2 form-factor on desktops, specifically the ones without cables sticking out. The company's next round of motherboards under its Project Zero banner will replace the conventional DDR5 DIMM slots with DDR5 CAMM2 slots. The company is joining forces with Kingston Technology for the effort.
Kingston is readying a new line of performance-segment CAMM2 modules under its FURY Impact brand that it originally uses for performance SO-DIMMs meant for gaming notebooks. MSI's next-gen Project Zero motherboard features contact points for a DDR5 CAMM2 module. A single CAMM2 module utilizes the entire 160-bit memory bus width of the Socket LGA1700 processor (that's both channels and their sub-channels). Kingston may release CAMM2 modules for most common memory sizes (such as 32 GB, 48 GB, 64 GB, and 96 GB), and most common DDR5 OC speeds for the platform (ranging between DDR5-6000 and DDR5-8000).
Kingston is readying a new line of performance-segment CAMM2 modules under its FURY Impact brand that it originally uses for performance SO-DIMMs meant for gaming notebooks. MSI's next-gen Project Zero motherboard features contact points for a DDR5 CAMM2 module. A single CAMM2 module utilizes the entire 160-bit memory bus width of the Socket LGA1700 processor (that's both channels and their sub-channels). Kingston may release CAMM2 modules for most common memory sizes (such as 32 GB, 48 GB, 64 GB, and 96 GB), and most common DDR5 OC speeds for the platform (ranging between DDR5-6000 and DDR5-8000).
44 Comments on Next Crop of MSI Project Zero Motherboards to Implement CAMM2 DDR5 Memory
But OTOH, it would allow for air coolers to be made to sit alot closer to the mobo without those gawd-awful jacked up pipes that have to be that way to clear the ram sticks....however, getting the cooler mfgr's onboard would be crucial to the success of the concept, so we'll have to wait for some reviews & tests of that mobo/camm combo in real world uses, then see what, if any, other benefits are made clearer :)
Having a single module type you can use anywere is a big win.
Might also help prevent e-waste and I say "might" because a MB will most likely have one CAMM2 slot so upgrading you RAM will mean "replacing" instead of just "adding more".
On the other hand that might be a good thing if there is a healthy second-hand RAM market, which is more likely if there is a more unified standard.
www.jedec.org/news/pressreleases/jedec-publishes-new-camm2-memory-module-standard
People love sticking to phrasing, huh?
Give it time, I think it has only been a couple months since JEDEC adopted the standard?
Crucial is selling 64GB LPCAMM2 Micron memory modules for $330 | Tom's Hardware (tomshardware.com)
On the other hand, having all ones RAM on a single board means no expandability. Sure one can get a larger quantity, but you have to remove the old, now useless CAMM whereas before, you can just add DIMM's. I would be more inclined to adopt a CAMM is there were multiple CAMM slots for later expansion.
This has no place in the consumer desktop space.
TBF though, this would probably be really handy for APU-based HTPCs/SFF machines.
(Making the demo pic on an ATX board, rather odd)
Kinda like how Thunderbolt was mostly an Apple-only feature until something like Intel Core i-series Gen6.
Or
How several devices of years-gone-by used 'in-standard' but very rare form factors of USB and HDMI.
CAMM2 and LPCAMM to is nothing like different length of M.2 drives.
That said, we might see CAMM2 support in some laptops.
Do you want more stupid?