Unraveling the RAM Riddle: DDR5 vs. LPDDR5 in LAPTOPS

Whenever you’re ready to choose a new laptop, it’s easy to be dazed by specs. Will you go for an Intel or AMD processor? Should your laptop have a
discrete or integrated graphics card? And most importantly, will it have the muscle to handle everything you plan on chucking at it? The right kind of RAM for your needs could make all the difference but when it comes to picking the right memory, it’s easy to be thrown by the acronyms. Needless to say, you’ll see LPDDR5 and DDR5 flying around when you research. So, what do they mean to you and – more importantly – which is right for your next laptop?

The ABCs of RAM: Making Sense of the Jargon

Deciphering the Terminology

Technology is often rapidly moving, with new acronyms appearing all the time. Random Access Memory (RAM) is a vital part of computers, providing the temporary memory in a laptop where your device stores the information it needs to access fast.

From DRAM to SDRAM: A Quick Lesson

DRAM and SDRAM (although the latter is older) are what you’ll see referred to as RAM in modern computers. Modern laptops use SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), which is synchronised with the local clock of your CPU so that it runs in pace with its cycles. Simply put, if you hear DRAM and SDRAM nowadays, they’re more or less the same thing in the context of current laptops.

LPDDR5 vs. DDR5 RAM: Choosing What's Best for You in LAPTOPS

Performance vs. Efficiency: The Eternal Battle

DRAM technology splits in two mainstream types: DDR (Dual Data Rate) RAM, used in desktops and high-performance laptops; and LPDDR (Low Power Dual Data Rate) RAM, used in mobile devices (and pretty much any laptop other than the most high-end kind, which emphasise brute performance over battery life).

Inside the Numbers: A Closer Look

DDR5 and LPDDR5 RAM (which will replace DDR4 and LPDDR4 to become the newest versions of memory) are the fastest variations currently in development, with enhancements to speed, efficiency and capacity.

Upgrading Laptop RAM: A How-To Snapshot

After all, not all laptops have an easy-to-open case. If you’re thinking of upgrading your RAM, you’ll want to see what type of RAM your laptop uses and how easy it is to tweak.

The Verdict: DDR5 or LPDDR5 in LAPTOPS?

Do you lose sleep over whether to choose between DDR5 and LPDDR5 RAM for your next laptop? You shouldn’t. The performance differences for most people in everyday tasks are negligible. Get the right amount of RAM for the tasks you’ll be doing, paired with the right combination of CPU and GPU for your work or play – but don’t agonise over RAM.

DDR5 is designed for gaming and workstation laptops, where performance is more important than battery life. LPDDR5 is found in ultraportable laptops, which are more concerned about maximum battery life and slim designs. LPDDR5 is commonly soldered directly to the motherboard and can’t be replaced.

Laptops: A Buyer's Odyssey

Buy the wrong laptop and it can feel like you were lured into a maze of choice. Esoteric details about which type of RAM is installed – DDR5 or LPDDR5 – are just one piece of that puzzle. Each version has its place in today’s world, a world where different priorities are important: raw performance versus energy efficiency and keeping the device portable.

So, if you’re soon going out to buy a new laptop, remember: RAM is important, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of purchasing decisions. Balancing your CPU and GPU selection against your RAM needs will provide you with a machine that performs well under your stream processor requirements, delivers a satisfactory gaming experience, or provides productivity on the go that doesn’t leave you wanting.

Don’t worry, it’s all part of your journey toward getting your dream laptop. And if this guide helps, well, I’ll be glad that we met this way.