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Reliability

Kingston System Specific Memory

Delivering Unmatched Reliability

From Kingston's founding in 1987, we have always designed and manufactured our memory to be customized to a specific system or class of systems. The result is unwavering reliability and compatibility. We are, first and foremost, dedicated to providing memory solutions that work the first time, every time, and for a lifetime. Cutting corners has never been an option when it comes to the engineering, design, and testing of Kingston products.

Kingston's core competency lies in our engineering expertise. This expertise allows us to design, manufacture, and deliver top quality products to our customers. More Fortune 500® companies have standardized on Kingston memory than any other memory brand. In addition, 10 out of today's top 14 semiconductor and system manufacturers depend on Kingston. These customers set very high standards that Kingston has consistently surpassed. These industry-leading manufacturers don't settle for one size fits all solutions because they know what it takes to get a memory solution that will work flawlessly.

Why is it so important to use system specific memory?
  • Different chips provide varying performance levels
  • Chip compatibility can vary
  • Testing will be done in the system the memory will be installed in
  • System specific constraints in module height or width
  • Presence detect configuration
Chip Brand and Performance
When Kingston designs a new memory module for a newly released system, we test several brands of chips on the new module design. You may ask why we would do this. This testing allows us to determine which brands of chips provide the best performance. As certain brands of pain relievers may vary in their effectiveness for different people, so do chip brands in computers. One or two brands of chips may provide the best performance in one system while another brand will provide the best performance in another system. Kingston uses a controlled bill of materials for our system-specific module designs in order to deliver the best performance for your system.

Chip Compatibility
While Kingston is testing the chip performance for a specific system, we are also testing for compatibility of the chips. As memory speeds get faster, chip compatibility can become increasingly important. Chip compatibility can vary from system to system. That is why Kingston tests several different chip brands in each system we support. We have approved vendor lists for our modules.

In addition, module physical dimensions affect a module design's compatibility. In many systems, the number of chips makes a module physically installable and electrically compatible. Designing modules for chip compatibility as well as chip quantity allows us to guarantee absolute compatibility with the system or class of systems the module will be installed in.

In-system Testing
Another part of Kingston's engineering process is to test each new module design in the system it will ultimately be used in. We test the memory on the system motherboard and with the applications and operating systems most commonly used in the system. This is only one step in our seven-step pre-production testing process. The in-system testing allows us to make sure that the memory is compatible with all aspects of the system we are designing for including hardware, operating systems, and applications.

System Specific Constraints
Although the user guide for a computer system may state that the system requires PC100 168-pin Synchronous DIMMs, it may not include other system specific constraints. For example, some systems have less room in their system box for memory. This can require the use of low-profile chips. In a generic, one size fits all design you would get the normal chip packaging. In a situation where there is limited space, two modules may not even fit side by side in such a system, or even worse cause excessive heat in the system and result in system failure. It would be like a clothing manufacturer offering one-size fits all dress pants. A one-size fits all option just won’t work. Kingston does not rely on generic specifications for modules; we design our modules to the specific needs of the systems they will be installed in.

Presence Detect
In order for a computer system to recognize a memory module, the module needs to have a chip on it that communicates the specifications of the module to the system. If this chip is configured improperly for the system you are installing the module in, the system won’t recognize the memory or it could get incorrect information about the module's speed.

The memory brand you choose can make a significant difference in the performance you get from your system. Choose memory that is designed and manufactured to your systems’ requirements. Choose Kingston proprietary module designs for absolute reliability.

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