Kingston ValueRAM memory - 256 MB - DIMM 184-PIN - DDR

Kingston Technologies claims to be the largest manufacturer of Memory modules in the world, this is true and I will enclose some additional information below, telling you a little about Kingston Technologies. In this review, I will also give you some detailed information about this Memory module.

-------------------- About Kingston --------------------

Headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, Kingston Technology ...
...digital cameras and hand-held computers. Kingston provides contract manufacturing for most of the large semiconductor OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer), several system OEMs, and supports large OEMs with supply chain management services. The company also has sister companies in the component packaging (Payton Technology), and test and validation test lab (AVL) sectors.

Kingston offers a range of memory products and services that ... more

Kingston Technologies claims to be the largest manufacturer of Memory modules in the world, this is true and I will enclose some additional information below, telling you a little about Kingston Technologies. In this review, I will also give you some detailed information about this Memory module.

-------------------- About Kingston --------------------

Headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, Kingston Technology Company, Inc. is the world's largest independent manufacturer of memory products for desktop computers, notebooks, servers, workstations, laser printers, digital cameras and hand-held computers. Kingston provides contract manufacturing for most of the large semiconductor OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturer), several system OEMs, and supports large OEMs with supply chain management services. The company also has sister companies in the component packaging (Payton Technology), and test and validation test lab (AVL) sectors.

Kingston offers a range of memory products and services that satisfy current and next-generation product demands. Memory options for new systems are introduced and supported on a daily basis, usually with Kingston engineering working in conjunction with the system OEM. For those requiring legacy memory - memory no longer available from the original manufacturer - Kingston is often the only source. Kingston operates on a just-in-time model based on customer needs. Kingston's products are built-to-order, which minimizes the risk of stagnant inventory for Kingston and its customers.

A global company that offers more than 2,000 products to support over 10,000 systems, Kingston corporation's sales exceeded $1.8 billion in 2003. Kingston serves an international network of distributors and OEM customers in the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Latin America, representing more than 3,000 locations worldwide.

-------------------- About the Memory --------------------

Well, lets take a look at this chipped thing then shall we? Before I handle anything like a static-sensitive device such as Memory, CPU, Motherboard, Graphics card or anything electronic that can be damaged by static shock - I touch GROUND. Now, some of you might be thinking "eh, he touches the floor", but no, not that ground - I mean something metal/steel that discharges electrostatic charge around the body - especially hands. Before you handle these sensitive devices, I recommend that you either touch the stainless-steel kitchen taps or use an anti-static wrist-band to keep you "earthed", which is available from most computer shops.

What is "electrostatic"?
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Electrostatic is like an electrical current which is charged by the handling of shopping bags, silk, balloons or any material capable of producing electrical currents. I'm not a Physicist, so don't laugh at something I haven't put properly, I'll try not to make those mistakes though. I don't have time being like Albert Einstein who constantly gets shocked by the looks of his messy hairstyle, maybe he plays with balloons?

The PC3200 Memory Module
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This here module is a 256 MB PC3200, Non-ECC DDR400 DIMM.

Non-ECC stands for "Non-Error Checking and Correction", DDR stands for "Double Data Rate", DIMM stands for "Dual In-Line Memory Module".

It has 184-pin gold-plated contact fingers, fitting suitable motherboards capable of handling a DDR400 (200 Mhz). The Memory has one-notch, nearly on the centre of the module and those 8 chips are one-sided (as seen on picture). Works perfect on Intel Pentium 4, AMD and other types of computer systems where requirements are met, this Memory gives you great performance increase, good reliability and comes with a lifetime-warranty.

I have two of these already installed in my computer, totalling a good 512 MB (MegaBytes) capacity, enough for users who like to work on Graphic design programs such as PaintShop Pro 9, Corel Draw 12, or even using Microsoft Office programs. Works great on games too, not that I've had a problem with playing games that requires a Memory capacity of under 512 MB.

With this 256 MB, PC3200 DDR400 Kingston DIMM:

Large files or programs work well without crashes.
Programs have better response.
More than one program can be run without problems.
Movies are viewed at a smoother quality.

Features
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Power supply : Vdd: 2.6V ± 0.1V, Vddq: 2.6V ± 0.1V
Double-data-rate architecture; two data transfers per clock cycle
Bidirectional data strobe(DQS)
Differential clock inputs(CK and CK)
DLL aligns DQ and DQS transition with CK transition
Programmable Read latency 2 (clock)
Programmable Burst length (2, 4, 8)
Programmable Burst type (sequential & interleave)
Timing Reference: 2-3-2-6-1 at +2.6V
Edge aligned data output, center aligned data input
Auto & Self refresh, 7.8us refresh interval(8K/64ms refresh)
Serial presence detect with EEPROM
High Performance Heat Spreader
PCB : Height 1.250" (34.75mm), single sided component

Dimension
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Width: 5.250" (133.30mm)
Height: 1.250" (34.75mm)
Thickness: 0.07" (1.20mm)

Performance
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Clock Cycle Time (tCK): 5ns (min.) / 10ns (max.)
Row Cycle Time (tRC): 55ns (min.)
Refresh Row Cycle Time (tRFC): 65ns (min.)
Row Active Time (tRAS): 40ns (min.) / 100,000ns (max.)
Power (IDD0): 2.200 W (operating)
UL Rating: 94 V - 0
Operating Temperature: 0o C to 70o C
Storage Temperature: -55o C to +150o C

I don't have a program that tests Memory performance and such, but I can tell you that I used to have two 256 MB PC2100, DDR266 (133 Mhz) types and replacing them with these PC3200 DDR400 (200 Mhz) Kingston Memory modules has made a great difference in its performance and reliability. Programs load faster than the PC2100 type. I've experienced little or no program crashes, but that depends on programs running on the background, the Operating System and cleanliness of your hard-drives. The faults and errors I used to have were those "blue screen" messages saying something like "memory dump" or "your system is running low on resources and will be shut down" - which in fact is annoying as you lose all your unsaved work. Kingston Memory doesn't do that, unless I thrash the memory with several programs running on my Desktop - crazy of me for testing them out that way, lol.

Overall, I do recommend these Memory upgrades for all you potential buyers who think "I want better memory". I hope this review helped make up your mind, at least I will be ordering two more of the same ones to fill all the slots available on my motherboard, making it a 1024 MB in total, also increasing performance and reliability.

I think Kingston is a King =O)

Thank you for reading and all the best. 

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