Kingmax are a relatively large company compared to some of the other manufacturers here. Their memory chips are packaged by a company called kingpax, put the waffer into the BGA package and labeled in this impressive looking facility. Kingmax make a big song and dance out of their "tiny-bga" technology as it will allow significantly reduced EMI due to better contact with the PCB.
Yes yes, very pretty - and indeed tiny. All of this marketing mumbo jumbo matters not to me however, how does the stuff perform is what I'm interested in ? First of all, we tested at standard voltage (2.5V), then tried to test it at 2.8V to determine the absolute max this ram could take, however the Kingmax RAM does not like voltage one little bit unfortunately. At 2.6, 2.7, and 2.8V the RAM would not POST never mind load windows.
Speed Checkpoint
Default V
2.8V
166MHz CAS 2 FASTEST
FAIL
FAIL
166MHz CAS 2 TURBO
FAIL
FAIL
175MHz CAS 2 FASTEST
FAIL
FAIL
175MHz CAS 2 TURBO
FAIL
FAIL
180MHz CAS 2 FASTEST
FAIL
FAIL
180MHz CAS 2 TURBO
FAIL
FAIL
190MHz CAS 2 FASTEST
FAIL
FAIL
190MHz CAS 2 TURBO
FAIL
FAIL
200MHz CAS 2 FASTEST
FAIL
FAIL
200MHz CAS 2 TURBO
FAIL
FAIL
Most disappointing. The Kingmax RAM will not do 166MHz at CAS 2. Luckily for them, they never claimed that it could. This memory is rated at 166MHz CAS 2.5, so I gave it a chance to at least redeem itself in that respect. With memory settings set to "Normal" at CAS 2.5 sure enough the RAM boots into windows and is as solid as a rock. Does exactly what it says on the tin, guv - and not a jot more. Don't let the RAM’s inability to perform stop you from checking out Overclock.co.uk - they are top lads with thousands of great products.
