Is there even an existing replaceable memory standard that would meet the current needs of Apple's "Unified Memory" architecture? I'm not an expert but I'd suspect probably not. The bus probably looks a lot more like VRAM on GPUs, and I've never seen a GPU with replaceable RAM.
CAMM2 could kinda work, but each module is only 128-bit so I think the furthest you could possibly push it is a 512-bit M Max equivalent with CAMM2 modules north, east, west and south of the SOC. There just isn't room to put eight modules right next to the SOC for a 1024-bit bus like the M Ultra.
I thought so too when they launched the M1, but I soon got corrected.
The memory bus is the same as for modules, it's just very short. The higher end SoCs have more memory bandwidth because the bus is wider (i.e. more modules in parallel).
You could blame DDR5 (who thought having a speed negotiation that can go over a minute at boot is a good idea?), but I blame the obsession with thin and the ability to overcharge your customers.
> I've never seen a GPU with replaceable RAM
I still have one :) It's an ISA Trident TVGA 8900 that I personally upgraded from 512k VRAM to one full megabyte!!!
danpalmer|1 year ago
jsheard|1 year ago
nottorp|1 year ago
The memory bus is the same as for modules, it's just very short. The higher end SoCs have more memory bandwidth because the bus is wider (i.e. more modules in parallel).
You could blame DDR5 (who thought having a speed negotiation that can go over a minute at boot is a good idea?), but I blame the obsession with thin and the ability to overcharge your customers.
> I've never seen a GPU with replaceable RAM
I still have one :) It's an ISA Trident TVGA 8900 that I personally upgraded from 512k VRAM to one full megabyte!!!
hoseja|1 year ago