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The Compression Attached Memory Module (CAMM) standard was originally designed by Dell to replace SO-DIMM memory in laptops. Despite its humble origins, it’s now being prepped to replace DIMMs made for desktop PCs. But so far, we have yet to fully understand what those would look like and whether they would improve on DDR or just be an alternative form factor. Now, MSI is banging the drum for desktop CAMM sticks, saying they are an improvement over DIMM in myriad ways.
The company hosted a livestream, which was flagged by Wccftech, to discuss the topic of CAMM2 on the desktop. (CAMM is now in its second generation, thus the number 2 at the end.) MSI gave us the first glimpse of what a CAMM2 module would look like on a gaming PC with a heatsink attached. As expected, it’s a “slab” of memory that lays flat on the motherboard with a heatsink on top, making it indistinguishable from the heatsinks on the lower portions of a motherboard that cover the M.2 slots, for example. One significant benefit over DIMM is you only need a single CAMM2 module to run dual-channel memory, so only one module is necessary instead of two with DIMM sticks.
The CAMM2 memory with RGB heatsink in-place looks decent, though it does require a power cable.
Credit: MSI
MSI says that for modern technology, CAMM2 is better than DDR5 DIMMs in ways that can boost performance and lower manufacturers’ costs. The company says it’s less expensive due to its simpler design. Its shorter traces to the CPU can also allow for higher clocks and lower latency. The two hosts also say that CAMM2 will avoid the pesky issue with DDR5 where high-capacity modules run at lower clocks than lower-capacity pairs. For example, with 32GB of DDR5, you could theoretically run them at DDR5 6400 or higher, but a 128GB kit would have to run at DDR5 5200 or so.
Another ancillary benefit of the flat CAMM2 design is that it doesn’t impede airflow around the CPU cooler. MSI also says CAMM2 DDR5 consumes less heat, so it has less chance to warm the air passing over it. Heatsinks will be optional, and some will likely include RGB lighting, as expected (see above).
CAMM2 on the left and standard DDR5 on the right shows they take up almost the same amount of space on the motherboard.
Credit: MSI
There’s one unexpected change to the motherboard design with CAMM2, though: the 24-pin power connector has to be relocated to the top of the board. That super-wide connector has always been next to the memory slots, but with CAMM2, there’s apparently not enough room for it as CAMM takes up more space. MSI relocated it on top of the motherboard, above the CPU fan/pump connectors. This might make cabling trickier because that cable is thick and usually tucked through a cut-out in the case next to the memory.
Overall, it sounds like CAMM2 will have an auspicious debut on the PC, perhaps when Intel’s partners launch Z890 motherboards alongside Arrow Lake soon. It’s unknown if there will be X870 motherboards for Zen 4/5 with CAMM2, but we imagine it will appear on both platforms. MSI warns that it’s not all roses and unicorns, though: Almost zero supply of CAMM2 desktop chips means prices will be higher than those of DDR5. Also, installation is a bit more complex, requiring a screwdriver instead of just snapping into place.