Samsung Electronics Develops Industry-First 'LPCAMM'... Innovation in PC DRAM Form Factor

Overcoming Limits of D-RAM Modules Used in PCs and Laptops
Enhancing Performance and Power Efficiency While Reducing Footprint

Wide Applications Expected in AI and Data Centers
"Pioneering New Markets to Lead the Memory Industry"

Samsung Electronics has developed a DRAM module for PCs and laptops that overcomes the limitations of conventional DRAM by enhancing performance and power efficiency while reducing the mounting area. This is seen as presenting a new paradigm to lead the next-generation PC and laptop market, accelerating the recovery of the memory semiconductor market. Samsung Electronics also expects this module to be applicable to data centers in the future.

On the 26th, Samsung Electronics announced that it has developed a Low Power Compression Attached Memory Module (LPCAMM) operating at a speed of 7.5Gbps (Gigabit per second). LPCAMM is a package module that bundles multiple LPDDR (Low Power Double Data Rate) types of DRAM, which are used in mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Samsung Electronics is the first in the industry to introduce this.

Samsung Electronics Introduces LPCAMM for the First Time in the Industry /
[Photo by Samsung Electronics]

LPCAMM is a product that innovates the DRAM form factor previously used in PCs and mobile devices. Previously, either the on-board method was used, where LPDDR package products were mounted on the device's mainboard, or DDR-based So-DIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module) with DRAM mounted on a PCB substrate was used. The on-board method has advantages such as miniaturization and low power implementation, but since it is mounted on the mainboard, replacement was difficult. So-DIMM is detachable but had physical development limitations in terms of transmission speed and space efficiency.

Samsung Electronics therefore developed a product that mounts LPDDR on a module to achieve high performance and low power consumption while being detachable. Compared to So-DIMM, LPCAMM reduces the product mounting area by more than 60%. Performance is increased by up to 50%, and power efficiency by up to 70%. PC and laptop manufacturers can utilize the increased space through LPCAMM to expand battery capacity and secure manufacturing flexibility. Consumers can also enjoy improved convenience in replacement and upgrades.

Samsung Electronics expects demand for LPCAMM to increase as the laptop market gradually shifts toward ultra-slim (ultrathin) laptops. Market research firm Omdia forecasts that ultrathin laptop shipments will increase from 124 million units this year to 219 million units in 2027. The share of ultrathin laptops in the overall laptop market is expected to rise from 64% to 88% during the same period. This is why Samsung Electronics views LPCAMM as a game changer that will transform the memory market, which is currently experiencing a downturn.

In the future, LPCAMM applications are expected to expand to artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing (HPC), servers, and data centers. Earlier, after announcing its Q2 earnings, Samsung Electronics identified LPCAMM as one of the next-generation memory solutions to be introduced in line with AI and cloud growth. Data center customers have considered mounting LPDDR to reduce power consumption, but when using the on-board method, problems arise that require replacing the entire mainboard. Applying LPCAMM to servers will allow easy replacement and upgrades to desired performance levels.

Samsung Electronics has completed operation verification of 7.5Gbps LPCAMM on the Intel platform. It plans to complete verification with major customers, including Intel, within this year, aiming for commercialization next year. Mass production of prototypes is expected in the first half of next year. Dimitrios Giakas, Vice President of Intel Memory & IO Technology, evaluated, "LPCAMM will be a game changer in the PC market." Bae Yong-chul, Vice President of Samsung Electronics’ Memory Business Product Planning Team, expressed his ambition, saying, "We will actively pioneer new markets to apply the LPCAMM solution and lead the next-generation memory industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.