In March 2001, Kingston Technology said it would make and sell DDR memory modules using SDRAM chips supplied by Nanya Technology. The ValueRAM modules were unbuffered PC1600 and PC2100 DIMMs in 128MB and 256MB capacities, intended for Kingston’s sales channels in the United States, Europe and the Far East. The agreement was part of the industry effort to make DDR a mainstream alternative to Rambus RDRAM.
What Kingston and Nanya announced
EE Times reported on 19 March 2001 that Kingston would build PC1600 and PC2100 DDR DIMMs with Nanya SDRAM and ship them through its channels in the United States, Europe and other world markets. Nanya’s company announcement the next day described the products as an exclusive ValueRAM promotion, with orders available through Kingston sales offices in the United States, Europe and the Far East from 26 March 2001.
The division of work was straightforward: Nanya supplied the memory chips, while Kingston manufactured and distributed the finished modules. The announcement did not mean that Nanya was making Kingston-branded modules or that Kingston was producing the SDRAM chips.
What the ValueRAM PC1600 and PC2100 modules were
These were desktop memory modules from the early DDR generation, not modern DDR4 or DDR5 products. Both were unbuffered DDR DIMMs; the announced capacities were 128MB and 256MB.
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| Module | Data rate in Nanya’s 2001 announcement | Announced capacities | Form and qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC1600 | 200MHz | 128MB or 256MB | Unbuffered DDR DIMM |
| PC2100 | 266MHz | 128MB or 256MB | Unbuffered DDR DIMM |
PC1600 and PC2100 are memory speed classifications; the MHz figures above are the rates stated in Nanya’s announcement, not a promise that either module will work in every computer. In practice, the motherboard and its chipset must support the relevant DDR generation, module type and capacity. A PC2100 module is not a drop-in substitute for a present-day DDR4 or DDR5 DIMM, and the product name alone cannot establish compatibility with an old machine.
What the modules cost in 2001
Nanya’s 20 March 2001 release listed quantity pricing starting at $55 for a 128MB PC1600 unbuffered DIMM and $79 for a 128MB PC2100 unbuffered DIMM. Those are historical starting prices reported in the release; they are not current prices or a reliable guide to what a surviving module costs today.
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Separately, EE Times reported that Nanya bundled SDRAM modules with VIA’s DDR chipset for $99 per set, which Nanya described as 35% below the then-current market price. Qualifying motherboard makers could receive the sets for $90. These were 2001 industry-promotion figures, distinct from the quoted standalone DIMM quantity prices.
Why the agreement mattered in the DDR–Rambus contest
DDR memory was competing for adoption against Rambus RDRAM, which had Intel’s backing. Kingston’s manufacturing and distribution reach gave Nanya chips a route into a recognized module brand’s channels, while VIA was promoting the chipset-and-memory combination needed to build DDR-based systems. The announcements therefore reflected an effort to align memory supply, chipsets, motherboard makers and distribution around DDR.
At the time, EE Times reported Nanya supplied about one-tenth of worldwide DDR chips. Nanya executive vice president Charles Kau said the company expected to deliver 1 million 128MB DDR SDRAM units in March 2001, 3 million in April and 6 million in June, and ultimately hoped to own 30% of the market. These were forecasts and an ambition reported in 2001, not confirmation that those shipment levels or market share were achieved.
Nanya’s spokesperson called the Kingston pact significant because it demonstrated that DDR would become the leading market technology. VIA said the elements needed to establish DDR as the next mainstream memory standard would converge at CeBIT 2001, and also characterized DDR as rapidly gaining market momentum. Those statements capture the companies’ case for adoption; they are not, by themselves, evidence of the eventual outcome. The supplied announcements frame DDR’s appeal in terms of industry momentum and coordinated platform support, rather than providing a technical head-to-head performance comparison with RDRAM.
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Can you use PC2100 DDR RAM in an old computer?
Possibly, but “old computer” is not specific enough to answer yes or no. Confirm the motherboard’s supported memory standard, slot and unbuffered DIMM requirements, capacity limits, and supported speeds in its manual or manufacturer documentation. The chipset and processor platform matter too. Do not rely on a physical fit or the PC2100 label alone: a module from the wrong memory generation will not become compatible just because its contacts appear similar.
- Identify the exact motherboard model and revision.
- Check its documentation for DDR support, unbuffered DIMMs, supported capacities and speed limits.
- Verify the module’s full specification and condition before buying; legacy stock may be used or refurbished.
- Check the seller’s return policy, since current availability and listing details can vary.
The 2001 announcements establish what Kingston and Nanya planned to offer then, not whether a particular legacy motherboard accepts a specific module today.
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Sources
- EE Times, 19 March 2001: Kingston to build modules with Nanya DDR memory.
- Nanya Technology, 20 March 2001 company release.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
