Compaq 149023-B21 32MB Kit (2 x 16MB) EDO Buffered 50ns 168-Pin

Product Description

The Compaq 149023-B21 is a memory upgrade kit designed for legacy server and workstation systems that utilize EDO (Extended Data Out) Buffered RAM. This kit provides a total of 32MB of memory, comprised of two 16MB modules. EDO RAM was an advancement over standard FPM (Fast Page Mode) RAM, allowing for faster read operations by enabling the next memory access to begin before the previous one is fully completed. The 'Buffered' designation indicates that these modules likely include a buffer chip, which helps to reduce the electrical load on the memory controller, improving signal integrity and allowing for more modules to be installed in a system. Each module in this kit operates with a timing of 50 nanoseconds (ns), which dictates the speed at which data can be accessed. The modules are presented in a 168-pin DIMM form factor, which was standard for SDRAM and some later EDO implementations. This specific kit is intended for compatibility with older Compaq servers and workstations, as well as other systems from that era that required this type of memory configuration. The 32MB total capacity is typical for memory upgrades in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Given the age of EDO Buffered RAM, this memory is primarily relevant for maintaining or restoring functionality to vintage computer systems. It represents a specific technological generation in computer memory, offering a modest capacity increase and performance improvement over earlier FPM RAM for the systems it was designed for. The inclusion of two modules suggests it might be intended for systems that utilize dual-channel or mirrored memory configurations, or simply to provide a matched pair for optimal compatibility.