24GB MacBook Air M2 RAM question...

[kdekorte]

Anyone know what RAM chips the 24GB MacBook Air M2 is using? (2x12GB???)

 

[russell_314]

My guess would be 3×8 GB but I don’t think anyone has taken it apart.

 

[leman]

The M2 package, just like M1, uses two memory modules. Each module is connected via a 64-bit memory interface. Here is a photo:

So for the 24GB config these would be 2x12GB modules.

 

[appltech]

Don't know for sure, but as far as I know only Samsung is capable to produce LPDDR5 (which is used in M2) in such amounts

 

[leman]

Don't know for sure, but as far as I know only Samsung is capable to produce LPDDR5 (which is used in M2) in such amounts

Apple is using custom RAM modules that have extremely low power consumption even for LPDDR standards. I couldn't find any info on where they are sourcing their RAM modules. The LPDDR4 modules in the M1 were made by Hynix.

Edit: according to iFixit it's still Hynix.

 

[jdb8167]

Apple is using custom RAM modules that have extremely low power consumption even for LPDDR standards. I couldn't find any info on where they are sourcing their RAM modules. The LPDDR4 modules in the M1 were made by Hynix.

Edit: according to iFixit it's still Hynix.

Was the custom low power RAM ever confirmed?

 

[leman]

Was the custom low power RAM ever confirmed?

If I remember correctly the pinout on these RAM modules was demonstrated to be substantially higher than any openly commercially available comparable module, and there is also the case of ridiculously low idle RAM consumption on M1/M2 machines.

This article has an image: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/04/06/m1-mac-ram-and-ssd-upgrades-possible/

Looks to me like there are around 700-800 pins at least. Now compare it to usual modules one sees around.

 

[Pressure]

If I remember correctly the pinout on these RAM modules was demonstrated to be substantially higher than any openly commercially available comparable module, and there is also the case of ridiculously low idle RAM consumption on M1/M2 machines.

This article has an image: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/04/06/m1-mac-ram-and-ssd-upgrades-possible/

Looks to me like there are around 700-800 pins at least. Now compare it to usual modules one sees around.

It's probably just 556Ball LPDDR4X on the M1. 877 pins.

Interestingly enough you can now get 4266Mbps 12GB LPDDR4X modules.

 

[leman]

It's probably just 556Ball LPDDR4X on the M1.

Interestingly enough you can now get 4266Mbps 12GB LPDDR4X modules.

There are defunitely more than 556 pins visible in those pictures…

 

[Pressure]

There are defunitely more than 556 pins visible in those pictures…

You are completely right.

Just counted them and there are 877 pins.

44 pins over and 22 pins down minus the 91 pins missing (four rows of 20 pins, one rectangle of 10 pins and the last in the lower left corner).

 

[leman]

You are completely right.

Just counted them and there are 877 pins.

44 pins over and 22 pins down minus the 91 pins missing (four rows of 20 pins, one rectangle of 10 pins and the last in the lower left corner).

Wow, that's dedication! I only did an estimate (20x40 ± x)

But your number (877) is exactly what other folks were reporting before if I remember correctly, so it makes perfect sense.