Embodiments of a memory device are described. This memory device includes a signal connector which is electrically coupled to a command/address (CA) link, and an interface circuit, which is electrically coupled to the signal connector, and which receives CA packets via the CA link. A given CA packet includes an address field having address information corresponding to one or more storage locations in the memory device. Moreover, the memory device includes control logic having two operating modes, where, during a first operating mode, the control logic decodes address information in the CA packets using full-field sampling, and, during the second operating mode, the control logic decodes a portion of the address information in the CA packets using sub-field sampling.