If you’ve shopped for a thin laptop recently, you’ve likely noticed that many models advertise “LPDDR5X” memory rather than standard DDR5. But what does this mean for you as a buyer? And why does it matter that this memory is soldered permanently to the motherboard? This guide explains the key differences and what they mean for upgradeability and performance.
DDR5 vs LPDDR5 vs LPDDR5X — What’s the Difference?
| Feature | DDR5 (SO-DIMM) | LPDDR5 | LPDDR5X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Removable SO-DIMM stick | Soldered to motherboard | Soldered to motherboard |
| Upgradeable? | Yes | No — permanent | No — permanent |
| Typical Speeds | 4800-5600 MHz | 5200-6400 MHz | 6400-8533 MHz |
| Power Consumption | 1.1V (standard) | 1.05V (lower) | 1.05V (lower) |
| Battery Impact | Higher power draw | Better battery life | Best battery life |
| Bandwidth | Up to 44.8 GB/s | Up to 51.2 GB/s | Up to 68.3 GB/s |
| Found In | Gaming laptops, workstations | Ultrabooks, business laptops | Premium ultrabooks, MacBooks |
Why Manufacturers Use Soldered Memory
There are legitimate engineering reasons for soldering RAM. LPDDR5X chips are physically smaller than SO-DIMM modules, allowing thinner laptop designs. They use less power, improving battery life by 30-60 minutes compared to equivalent DDR5 SO-DIMM configurations. The shorter signal paths from soldered chips can also improve signal integrity at very high speeds.
However, there’s also a commercial incentive: soldered RAM means you must pay the manufacturer’s upgrade premium at purchase time (often £100-200 to go from 16GB to 32GB), and you cannot upgrade later if your needs change.
Which Laptops Use Soldered vs Removable RAM?
| Laptop Category | Typical RAM Type | Upgradeable? |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air / Pro | Unified Memory (LPDDR5) | No |
| Dell XPS 13/14/16 | LPDDR5X | No |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon | LPDDR5X | No |
| HP Spectre / Envy | LPDDR5X | No |
| ASUS ZenBook | LPDDR5 / LPDDR5X | No |
| Dell Latitude 5000/7000 | DDR5 SO-DIMM | Yes |
| Lenovo ThinkPad T/P series | DDR5 SO-DIMM | Yes |
| HP EliteBook / ProBook | DDR5 SO-DIMM | Yes |
| Gaming laptops (most) | DDR5 SO-DIMM | Yes |
| Framework Laptop | DDR5 SO-DIMM | Yes |
The Upgradeability Trade-Off
The trend toward soldered memory is accelerating. In 2020, roughly 40% of new laptops had soldered RAM. By 2025, that figure exceeded 60%. This has significant implications for laptop longevity — a laptop with 8GB of soldered RAM in 2024 may feel sluggish by 2027-2028 as software requirements grow, with no option to add more memory.
Our recommendation: if you’re buying a laptop with soldered RAM, always configure it with more memory than you currently need. 16GB is the minimum for longevity, and 32GB is advisable if you plan to keep the laptop for 4+ years.
Performance Comparison: Does LPDDR5X Actually Feel Faster?
In real-world use, the performance difference between DDR5-5600 SO-DIMM and LPDDR5X-6400 is negligible for most tasks — we’re talking 1-5% in benchmarks. Where LPDDR5X shines is in power efficiency, not raw speed. The bandwidth advantage only shows in specialised workloads like AI inference and large dataset processing.
For most users, the choice between DDR5 and LPDDR5X should be based on upgradeability needs, not performance differences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LPDDR5X better than DDR5?
LPDDR5X offers higher bandwidth and better power efficiency, but it is soldered and cannot be upgraded. DDR5 SO-DIMM is slightly slower but fully upgradeable. For most users, the upgradeability of DDR5 is more valuable than the speed of LPDDR5X.
Can I upgrade LPDDR5X memory?
No. LPDDR5X is soldered directly to the motherboard and cannot be removed or replaced. The amount of RAM you order at purchase is permanent.
Why do thin laptops use soldered RAM?
Soldered LPDDR5/5X chips are physically smaller and use less power than SO-DIMM modules. This allows manufacturers to build thinner laptops with better battery life, at the cost of upgradeability.
How much LPDDR5X should I get?
At minimum 16GB for general use. 32GB if you multitask heavily, use creative software, or plan to keep the laptop for 4+ years. Since you cannot upgrade later, it is better to over-specify at purchase time.
Is soldered RAM more reliable?
Marginally. Soldered connections eliminate the physical socket as a potential failure point, and the shorter signal traces reduce electrical noise. However, SO-DIMM RAM is already extremely reliable, so the practical difference is negligible.
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Prices updated automatically from PCHub.UK — click to view full specs and buy
Prices from PCHub.UK via ComputersDeal. As an affiliate, we may earn from qualifying purchases. Prices updated 2026-04-10 13:15:58.