Intel Launches UniDIMM Initiative - DDR3 and DDR4 RAMs for Laptops and Notebooks

Just yesterday we released a hint found in IDF14 slides that Skylake will feature Dual-IMC tech and while that is unconfirmed, it seems that Intel is pursuing a 'Universal DIMM' slot blueprint for notebooks that volition be able to accommodate both DDR3 and DDR4 Retentivity. Universal compatibility like this is always an observable gesture and helps the Industry grow at its ain pace, rather than forcing information technology to jump. Intel Skylake Microarchitecture 2H 2022

Intel'due south Universal DIMM Initiative in Notebooks Volition Make DDR3 and DDR4 Compatible in the Same Slot - IDF 14

And so far DDR4 support exists only within the Haswell-Due east, HEDT platform. Notwithstanding, with this new UniDIMM memory standard, users of the mobile platform will exist able to savour both DDR3 and DDR4 Retentivity on the same slot. Prominent AIBs such as Kingston, Micron and many more than are fully supporting this initiative. The specs of the standard are as follows:

160 Pivot Then-DIMM Retentiveness Interface
69.6 x 30mm AND 69.6 x 20mm

This upgrade to the current SO-DIMM standard will make the notebook market more than user friendly and also assistance drive the sector that most Investor'south intendance about. Interestingly we accept seen motherboards in the past which supported both DDR2 and DDR3 merely that was by utilizing multiple RAM slots. The UniDIMM standard will just accept i slot for both generations. Currently DDR4 is very expensive but equally time passes it will grow cheaper, infact there will come a fourth dimension when DDR4 is actually cheaper than DDR3!

Slide deck from IDF 14

This would let OEMs using the UniDIMM to ship notebooks with DDR3 memory and utilize a 'DDR4-Ready' (and a premium ofcourse) tag to the product assuasive customers to upgrade it after. This standard raises interesting questions on what Intel tin accomplish when it puts its mind to it. If such a standard can be introduced on the mobile platform and then it most certainly tin be introduced on Desktop likewise. And maybe this is where the Skylake-S Dual-IMC leak comes in. On a closing note, I would be interested to meet if you can mix DDR3 and DDR4 RAMs together in this slot.

#Intel UniDIMM initiative is pretty cool. DDR3 and DDR4 mutual compatibility. http://t.co/cbYBrnuab1

— Usman Pirzada (@usmanpirzada) September xiv, 2022