DDR2-675 - A High Speed Update from Corsair and Kingston

Kingston, the world's largest independent memory manufacturer, offers memory modules for a wide variety of users, from cost-conscious IT departments to bleeding-edge gamers and PC enthusiasts.  Founded in 1987, they offer more than 2000 different types of memory products for not only PCs, but other devices such as MP3 players and cell phones.  Their engineering department designed the first Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM), thus creating a new industry standard.  Innovating the industry didn't stop there, as Kingston's tenets of respect, loyalty, flexibility, and integrity helped earn them the honor as one of the "Best Companies to Work for in America" by Fortune magazine.

Kingston HyperX KHX6000D2K2/1G http://www.kingston.com/hyperx/products/khx_ddr2.asp

Kingston's KHX6000D2K2/1G is a kit of two 64M x 64-bit (512MB) DDR2-750 CL4 SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) memory modules, based on sixteen 32M x 8-bit DDR2 FBGA components per module. Total kit capacity is 1GB (1024MB). Each pair has been tested to run at DDR2 750MHz at low latency timing of 4-4-4-12 at 1.9V. The SPD are programmed to JEDEC standard latency timing of 4-4-4-12 at 1.8V. Each 240-pin DIMM uses gold contact fingers and requires +1.8V. The electrical and mechanical specifications are as follows:

Features: ·_Power supply : Vdd: 1.8V ~ 0.1V, Vddq: 1.8V ~ 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 4 (clock) ·_Burst Length: 4, 8 (Interleave/nibble sequential) ·_Programmable Burst type (sequential & interleave) ·_Timing Reference: 4-4-4-12 at +1.8V / 4-4-4-12 at +1.9V ·_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 1.180" (30.00mm), single sided component

Performance: ·_Clock Cycle Time (tCK) CL=4 - 3.75ns (min.) / 8ns (max.) ·_Row Cycle Time (tRC) - 60ns (min.) ·_Refresh to Active/Refresh Command Time (tRFC) - 105ns ·_Row Active Time (tRAS) - 45ns (min.) / 70,000ns (max.) ·_Single Power Supply of +1.8V (+/- .1V) ·_Power - 2.916 W (operating per module) ·_UL Rating - 94 V - 0 ·_Operating Temperature - 0o C to 55o C ·_Storage Temperature - -55o C to +125o C

    

    

Kingston's KHX6000D2K2/1G memory kit came in a much more compact package, just barely larger than the modules themselves.  The prominent red and white wrapping lists the product number and type (1GB Memory Kit) and that's about it.  Inside are the two modules and a warrantly pamphlet, which is lifetime under normal conditions.  Similar in size and weight to Corsair's sticks, the Kingston HyperX modules stand out because of their electric blue heat-spreaders that have retention clips to ensure they won't come off. 

Our modules were marked for evaluation, but everything else should remain the same for retail packages.  One side boasts DDR2 and HyperX logos.  According to Kingston, HyperX modules are designed on the latest memory specifications available, and fully tested to meet the strong requirements of the PC enthusiast.  On the flip side is the piece number, listed as a set rather than separate pieces.  While timings are not listed as they were on the Corsair sticks, the voltage is, and here Kingston has 1.9V listed for 4-4-4-12 operation.  The Kingston KHX6000D2K2/1G modules are set to operate at higher speeds than Corsair's, but at a lower voltage.

SPD detection of the Kingston modules offers three different sets of timings.  At 200MHz, the sticks are programmed for 3-3-3-9 timings, then 4-4-4-12 at 266MHz, and finally 5-5-5-15 at 333MHz.  The real timings also reflect this, as the memory tab of CPU-Z also has the kit operating at 5-5-5-15 at 337.1MHz.  However, this is actually a bit slower than what was expected.  Since the kit consisted of essentially 750MHz memory, we would have expected the SPD table to list higher frequency speeds and better timings, especially at the lower frequencies.