Soldered RAM runs cooler than SO-DIMMs.

Yes, generally. Soldered RAM (typically LPDDR) runs at lower voltages and generates less heat than removable SO-DIMMs (usually standard DDR4 or DDR5). That’s not just a spec sheet thing—it’s a real advantage in thin laptops where cooling is tight.

The difference comes down to power draw. LPDDR chips sip around 1–2W per stick; regular SO-DIMMs can pull 3–5W or more under load. Less power means less waste heat, which means lower operating temperatures. You also don’t have the extra thermal resistance from a socket and the module’s PCB. In practice, soldered RAM might run 5–10°C cooler than an equivalent SO-DIMM in the same chassis.

But there’s a catch: soldered RAM is glued to the motherboard with no air gap, so it can’t really shed heat through convection