Kingston Announces Family of High Performance PC 100-Compliant Memory Modules
System-specific 100MHz Memory Modules Immediately Available in Quantity to OEMs, Systems Integrators and Resellers
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Kingston Technology Company today announced its PC 100-compliant memory module family designed to meet the high-performance requirements of the new 100MHz memory bus architecture of Intel's new 440BX chipset. Utilizing 100 MHz unbuffered SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) components, the modules will be offered in system-specific configurations of 32, 64 and 128MB densities.
Evaluation units have already been provided to Kingston's semiconductor and PC-OEM manufacturing partners. System-specific modules will be available to resellers in quantity as OEMs begin shipments of 440BX-based systems. Prices for modules will range from $130 to $635 (MSRP) depending on configuration and capacity.
''At the core of Kingston's 100MHz strategy is its ability to rapidly integrate these new technologies into our design, manufacturing, test and logistical process to provide industry leading time-to-market and time-to- volume production for our customers,'' said Gary MacDonald, Kingston's senior vice president of sales and marketing. ''Moreover, as one of the world's leading buyers of DRAM chips, Kingston has the ability to secure large quantities of the fully Intel spec compliant SDRAMs that will be required to keep up with significant OEM and reseller demand.''
SDRAM Challenge
The move to PC 100 SDRAM technology offers tremendous performance benefits, it also creates significant challenges that must be overcome by manufacturers and understood by quality conscience OEMs, resellers and end users. With 100MHz SDRAM, the design of the module itself becomes critical to the performance of the entire system. If certain critical timing requirements are not met, undetectable data corruption could occur; data must be routed from each individual memory chip across the module through the system bus to the memory controller on the motherboard, with all signals remaining in sync with the processor. Any lines routed too close to each other are highly susceptible to failure. Additional design issues include signal integrity, component quality, testing and compatibility -- all of which must be addressed to ensure peak performance from the module.
''As SDRAM becomes the dominant memory technology, module issues like design quality and testing grow in importance. OEMs and integrators need to consider these issues, as well as price, when choosing memory module suppliers,'' said George Iwanc, analyst, Memories Worldwide Semiconductor Group at Dataquest. ''The challenges of advancing SDRAM technology will likely shake out some of the weaker module manufacturers.''
Quality Manufacturing
Part of Kingston's strategy is to ensure total reliability with the new DRAM architectures, such as SDRAM and Rambus has been to institute a quality control process called DCAT (Design, Components, Assembly, Test), to ensure total reliability. ''In addition to its widely established channel business, Kingston is the largest, most rapidly growing contract manufacturer to PC OEMs and DRAM manufacturers. As such, Kingston works closely with some of the best manufacturing companies in the world,'' said John Cheng, Kingston's director of advanced technology. ''The insight and experience gained in working with these OEM customers is constantly used to enhance our processes, enabling us to consistently be first to market with system-specific products for OEMs, resellers and DRAM manufacturers.''
Design -- To guarantee 100 percent reliability and compatibility, Kingston's modules are individually designed to meet the specific requirements of each manufacturer's systems. Since memory performance varies slightly between manufacturers and certain components are incompatible with certain motherboards, Kingston design standards call for in-system qualification of every new module design. In addition, the design specifications for all of its PC 100 class modules meet or exceed industry requirements, including those outlined in the Intel's 440BX specifications.
Components -- Kingston's proactive Supplier Quality Program certifies and monitors memory chips, boards (PCBs), passive components. Kingston has established strict control requirements that subject component lots received to testing for compliance with Kingston and Intel specifications. For example, memory chips are sample tested using HP 83000 testers to verify PC 100 compliant timing characteristics. If the design of an SDRAM chip is altered in any way, it must be requalified.
Assembly -- All memory chips are sent directly from the manufacturer to the assembly plants to minimize handling and reduce the chance of damage and numerous steps are taken throughout the entire assembly process to eliminate the possibility of electro-static discharge, which is the leading cause of memory failure.
Testing -- Kingston employs a multi-tiered testing system to ensure quality control throughout the manufacturing process. In addition to the rigorous tests performed on DRAM and other components, Kingston is now subjecting all new module designs to signal-quality testing, software stress testing, thermal testing and system-specific, long-term reliability testing. Kingston has also continued its long-standing practice of building proprietary testers -- in conjunction with the use of the HP 83000 -- to evaluate every completed module it produces.
''Testing has always been of utmost importance to Kingston because our customers are either OEMs, who have established very high quality standards around their brands, or resellers and integrators who prioritize reliability, availability, value and support,'' said Nahid Casazza, memory product manager at Kingston. ''With the emergence of 100MHz and beyond, we will continue to lead the industry in both design innovation and testing, where our mantra is to test every cell on every chip of every module.''
Kingston Technology is the world's largest manufacturer of memory products for servers, workstations, desktops, portables, and electronic devices and is one of the fastest growing contract manufacturers to DRAM manufacturers and PC OEMs. Over the last ten years, Kingston has diversified its product lines to include processor upgrades, flash memory, networking hardware, and storage products. With strictly regulated ISO 9001 facilities in the United States, Ireland and Taiwan, Kingston markets its products through an extensive worldwide network of distributors, major reseller chains and independent dealers.
In August of 1996, Kingston became part of SOFTBANK Corp. SOFTBANK Corp. is the largest software provider in Japan, the world's largest publisher of computer-related Magazines, and the world's largest producer of technology- related trade shows and expositions. Visit the Kingston home page on the Internet at: kingston.com. For additional information on Kingston products, please contact Kingston Technology at (800) 337-8410. |
