Kingmax TinyBGA DDR400 PC3200 Revised Edition

Review by Edward Chang

March 25, 2002

SPECIFICATIONS:

The 128 MB version of the MPXA82D-68KX3 we tested is 16Meg x 64bit Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM high density memory module.The MPXA82D-68KX3 consists of eight modules of 16MB each with 4 banks Double Data Rate Synchronous DRAMs in TinyBGA package and a 2K EEPROM in 8-Pin TSSOP package mounted on a 184pin glass-epoxy substrate.Two 0.1µF decoupling capacitors are mounted on the printed circuit board in parallel for each DDR SDRAM. The MPXA82D-68KX3 is a Dual In- line Memory Module and is intended for mounting into 184pin edge connector sockets. Synchronous design allows precise cycle control with the use of system clock. Data I/O transactions are possible on both edges of every clock cycle. Range of operating frequencies, programmable latencies and burst lengths allows the same device to be useful for a variety of high bandwidth, high performance memory system applications.

FEATURES

· Performance range - 200MHz ( DDR400, CL2.5 )

· Double-data-rate architecture; two data transfers per clock cycle

· Bi-directional data strobe (DQS)

· Differential clock inputs (CK and /CK)

· DLL aligns DQ and DQS transition with CK transition

· Auto & self refresh capability (4096 Cycles / 64ms)

· Single 2.5V ±0.2V power supply

· Programmable Read latency 2, 2.5 (clock)

· Programmable Burst length (2, 4, 8)

· Programmable Burst type (Sequential & Interleave)

· Edge aligned data output, center aligned data input

· Serial presence detect with EEPROM

· PCB : Height (1,181 mil), double sided component

OVERCLOCKING:

*Overclock at your own risk! Techware Labs will not take any responsibility for damages caused by overclocking.

Although this memory is rated as 2.5 volt memory, the system would refuse to POST at 190+ MHz without an increase in DDR voltage. The Kingmax was subject to 3.0 volts and the most aggressive memory timings throughout these tests. The Kingmax DDR400 managed to complete these tests, but please keep in mind that no endurance or stability tests were performed. At Techware Labs, we feel that it is unhealthy to run memory at 3.0+ volts (when it is specified to run at 2.5 volts) and did not wish to prolong use of this exorbitant voltage on memory Kingmax-USA let us borrow for testing. Techware Labs has an obligation to return the module in good working order. We chose the EPoX 8K3A+ KT333-based motherboard for this test because it is capable of attaining high FSBs. Unfortunately, our 8K3A+ was only able to obtain 190 MHz FSB with additional air cooling. It would POST and crash at 200 FSB or true DDR400. In addition, one will see in the screen shot below that the EPoX detects our DDR400 module as PC2700. This is a BIOS issue and will be resolved in the near future as PC3200 becomes a standard. I received an email from EPoX-USA yesterday with their latest beta BIOS dated March 25th that supports PC3000 :-P. Too late unfortunately to include in the testing of this memory. However, hearing claims that this new BIOS is capable of obtaining 200 MHz FSB stably, Techware Labs will shortly re-conduct testing of this Kingmax RAM. Finally, we had an "unlocked" AMD Athlon Thunderbird 1.4 GHz processor running at 1425 MHz (7.5 x 190 MHz).