LPDDR4x vs DDR4 RAM: What is the Difference? – Explained

As we know, Memory management is a vital characteristic of being occupied with your smartphone. On the other hand, RAM stands first & foremost as a crucial element that can hold up your memory management refers to any device. You have wide-choice & of improvements in the RAM source and technology in recent years.

In accordance with that perspective, you may be familiar with the newly launched fourth-generation RAMs. Which is quite proficient in handling memory management quite efficiently. Yes, we are talking about LPDDR4x vs DDR4 RAMs and their functionality in turn to give the best source for the users. Let’s dive into the blog to know more about this talk of the town LPDDR4X vs DDR4.

Major Highlights

When comes LPDDR4, is the mobile equivalent of DDR4 memory when compared to RAM DDR4. Whereas, it offers concentrated power consumption at the cost of bandwidth. LPDDR4 consumes dual 16-bit channels ensuing in a 32-bit total bus per DIMM. At the same instance, DDR4 featured one 64-bit channel/DIMM. LPDDR4 supports this by approving a broader prefetch of 16n for a total of (16 words x 16 bits) 256 bits/32 bytes per channel. Hence, it’s twice that for both channels in the combined form.

Now, when we talk about DDR4, which consists of two 8n prefetch banks/channels transporting data to and from the controllers at a time. Here, the two paths are distinct and can perform two independent 8n prefetches. As, this can be executed by utilizing the multiplexer to time division multiplex its internal banks. Finally, this end-up in a total range of 8 words x 64 bit = 512 bits (64 bytes) per cycle for an individual group.

What is the Difference between LPDDR4x vs DDR4?

With reference to the stated information regarding the differences between DDR and LPDDR memories. Here, we have certain highlighted parameters which predominantly differentiate both memories: Those aspects are given below:

  • Efficiency
  • sustainability
  • Performance
  • Upgradability
  • adaptability
  • Price

For Example

Take two laptops, one with DDR memory and the alternative with LPDDR memory. Here, you might not be able to trace the difference promptly – But it happens with its performance and battery life.

Output:

Whereas, the laptop that has DDR memory is predictable to run quicker when compared to the LPDDR counterpart in the benchmarks. But then, the LPDDR-based laptop will be somewhat more power-efficient.

To add light to this, LPDDR battery support for the laptop is quite longer than the laptop enabled with the DDR memory.

Based on other Criteria

Here, the LPDDR4 supports added flexible burst length which can be ranging from 16 to 32 (256 or 512 bits, 32 or 64 bytes), though 16 BL is highly preferred. Simultaneously, DDR4 is imperfect to a burst length of 8 per cycle (128 bits or 16 bytes), though each bank can achieve extra transfers.

In which, this design makes LPDDR4 even more power-efficient when compared to the standard DDR4 memory. As a result of this, it makes it ideal for use in smartphones with enabled battery standby features ranging from 8-10 hours. Micron’s LPDDR4 RAM leads the best with its standard 2133 MHz clock for a transfer rate of 4266 MT/s. Meanwhile, the Samsung trails soon right after the clock of 1600MHz and a transfer rate of 3200 MT/s.

samsung lpddr4x ram

Additionally, the voltage of LPDDR4 (1.1v) has much lower voltage than DDR4 (1.3v) despite including similar or higher I/O bus clocks.

Once again, LPDDR4 is improved for low power & over performance. At the same time, contrast features are enabled for DDR4 memory. While DDR4 memory is built in bank groups of 16 with every package of four individual memory banks, LPDDR4 and LPDD4X DIMMs have a total of eight memory banks/channels, end-up in an overall count of sixteen (16-bit x 2).

What are the types of DDR Memories?

When it comes to memories. You will have three types of DDR memories that can blindly support the consumers. They are:

  • Standard DDR
  • Mobile DDR (LPDDR)
  • Graphics DDR (GDDR)

In accordance with its stated name, Standard DDR is termed as a type of memory that is utilized for all desktop PCs, Laptops, and servers.

At the same time, it is the standard memory that is used in Ram which can be enabled with a majority of larger electronic devices.

Mobile DDR & LPDDR Memory

Mobile DDR or LPDDR is actually found in smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, embedded electronics, and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Meanwhile, in the devices in which LPDDR memory can be easily found and which can be run on battery, the LPDDR memory should be improved for offering good performance at low power.

Remarkably, Laptops are highly enabled with both DDR and LPDDR as modern Intel & MD CPUs’. Further, these have memory controllers that can be enabled for both DDR4 and the LPDDR4x on their chips.

Hence, Laptop OEMs usually make use of the DDR4 in High-Performance Laptops, and LPDDR4x is an ideal choice for low-power ultrabooks.

Conclusion:

We Hope, the given information about both DDR4 and the LPDDR4x memories & related specifications is quite useful & resourceful.

FAQ

Which is better: DDR4 or LPDDR4X?

LPDDR4X is more power efficient than DDR4. Due to that, it has less bandwidth, which shows the report of – a 2400Mhz DDR4 RAM (of say, 8 GB) is better than a 3200Mhz LPDDR4X RAM (of the same size – 8GB).

Is LPDDR4X good for gaming?

LPDDR4X-4266 peaks at 34.1 GB/s so that it can tentatively distribute better performance. But, remember it is a soldered RAM that can be upgraded. Whereas, it is also a laptop, which can be used for integrated graphics that are incapable of running difficult games. Are you crazy about gaming gadgets? Then, invest in a PC.

What RAM is better than DDR4?

The DDR5 memory standard is the best for effective usage due to its denser memory sticks, which eventually connect to more memory volume in your system. DDR4 stopped at 16-gigabyte memory chips, but DDR5 can utilize up to the range of 64-gigabyte memory chips.

How much RAM is LPDDR4X?

Providing the smaller package size and advanced capacity, up to 12GB. In reference to this, Samsung’s breakthrough LPDDR4X allowed the next evolution of ultra-slim mobile devices.

Can I replace DDR4 with LPDDR4x?

Disparate the DDR laptops, the LPDDR4x laptops are non-upgradable. The memory is soldered on the motherboard.

Does M1 use LPDDR4X?

The M1 supports 128-bit LPDDR4X SDRAM which is a unified memory configuration shared by every component of the processor. In which, the SoC and RAM chips are mounted together in a system-in-a-package design. Finally, the 8 GB and 16 GB configurations are highly available as per your usage.

Which Mhz RAM is best for gaming?

When we talk about its speed, You need to inspect for DDR4 RAM that runs nearly 3,200MHz for Intel chips and 3,600MHz for AMD’s latest offerings. Whereas, this should provide your CPU with a capable bandwidth cushion to support gaming and work-related tasks.