Product Search: Memory Upgrades Flash Cards & Readers Video Cards USB Flash Drives Other Upgrades Software Contact Us | Shipping | About Us | FAQ | Order Status International Customers Choose country Australia Canada Canada - français Deutschland EEUU - español España France Italia Japan Nederlands United Kingdom United States Other countries United States Memory Upgrades >> PC3200 (DDR400) PC2700 PC2100 PC133 PC100 More Choices Flash Memory Products >> CompactFlash™ MultiMediaCard™ Secure Digital™ SmartMedia™ Memory Stick® Card Readers Gizmo! USB Flash Drives Crucial Video Cards >> 64MB RADEON 9200 SE 128MB RADEON 9200 128MB RADEON 9600 Pro 128MB RADEON 9800 Pro 256MB RADEON 9800 Pro More Great Products Crucial Gear Software Other Upgrades The difficulties meeting the PC100 and PC133 specifications. Is yours up to spec? If you bought PC100 or PC133 from Crucial Technology, the answer is YES! Intel® publishes a bus standard to ensure the compatibility of SDRAM (synchronous dynamic random access memory) subsystems with Intel's 100MHz and 133MHz local bus processors. Since the introduction of this standard, the impact on memory manufacturers, as well as end users, has been very apparent. The PC100 and PC133 specifications greatly enhance data throughput, bringing system performance to a new level. However, the rigorous design, production, and test requirements create significant challenges for semiconductor companies and memory module suppliers. Due to the complexity and lack of understanding of the PC100 and PC133 requirements, some vendors are selling memory labeled as PC100 or PC133 that does not meet Intel's specifications. Just following the PC100 and PC133 specifications may not be enough, due to the intricacies involved in the production and testing of PC100 and PC133 SDRAM. Each PC100 and PC133 SDRAM module requires key attributes to guarantee full compliance. For example, PC100 modules must use 8ns DRAM to assure internal frequencies of 125MHz. In addition, SDRAM chips must be used in conjunction with a correctly programmed EEPROM on a properly designed printed circuit board. Manufacturing SDRAM chips and modules, which are not fully compliant with the documented PC100 and PC133 specifications, severely compromises the quality and reliability of the PC system. As clock speeds increase, traditional methods used to produce memory modules cheaply are no longer applicable. Manufacturing memory modules meeting the faster clock speeds required in the PC100 and PC133 specifications is much more difficult, and some manufacturers may not be able to meet the challenge. At 100MHz and 133MHz speeds, timing is so tight that every aspect of the memory bus; from trace lengths to impedance to alignment of PC-board layers — must be perfect. A manufacturer's ability to achieve full PC100 and PC133 compliance is a major differentiator. Only highly experienced and well-capitalized memory module manufacturers possess the design and application engineering capabilities to meet the difficult timing parameters of the PC100 and PC133 specifications. Micron and its upgrade division, Crucial Technology, is the only US manufacturer able to produce both PC100 and PC133 memory modules for sale directly to end users. The good news for end users is the module requirements, increased bus speeds, and faster processors noticeably improve a PC's performance. Benefits to consumers include increased throughput, faster systems, and better performance. The difficulty in producing this technology results in a premium product price, enticing some in the industry to participate in the distribution of PC100 and PC133 memory with inadequate product. In some cases, vendors are using 100MHz SDRAM chips to build modules labeled as PC100 compliant. Although the 100MHz SDRAM peaks at a bus speed of 100MHz, it cannot sustain the speed required in the PC100 specification. A SDRAM that internally clocks at 125MHz is necessary to sustain the 100MHz local bus speed. Since consumers are unable to verify PC100 compliance, they are well advised to purchase 125MHz SDRAM modules from a large, reputable vendor who understands the subtleties of the specifications and produces product meeting the PC100 module specification. Crucial and its manufacturing parent company, Micron Technology, are well positioned to meet these requirements. Through its memory upgrade division, Crucial, Micron is the only DRAM manufacturer selling memory upgrades directly to the end user. Crucial brings end users the same quality memory purchased and installed by major computer manufacturers. Because the major computer manufacturers like IBM, Hewlett Packard, Gateway, Apple, and Micron Electronics already qualify Micron's memory for use in their original systems, consumers can be confident Crucial's PC100 and PC133 memory truly meets Intel's specification. Crucial knows the difficulty of reaching high speeds, the cost of equipment, and the steep product development and manufacturing learning curve. Crucial engineers run up-front simulations, compatibility testing in actual systems, and stringent tests with guard bands to obtain optimum performance. The most difficult part of upgrading the memory in a computer is not installation; it is getting compatible, PC100- and PC133-compliant memory. Crucial provides an easy, reliable solution, offering consumers one of the most complete product lines of PC100- and PC133-compliant SDRAM. For more information on PC100 and PC133 see " The S-Files " or download Micron's technical note on identifying PC100 modules . The Crucial Memory Selector™ We guarantee that the upgrades you find through the Memory Selector will be compatible with your system or your money back. Find out why the Memory Selector is a source you can trust. How much memory do you really need? The type of work you do has a direct impact on your memory needs . Crucial gives you user-specific RAM recommendations. Policies Warranty Legal Security © 2004 Micron Technology, Inc. Crucial Memory RAM Upgrade for PC