Corsair Memory
Encyclopedia
Corsair Memory is a computer peripherals and hardware company headquartered in Fremont, California
. Corsair designs and sells a range of products for computers, including high-speed DRAM modules, ATX power supplies (PSUs), USB flash drives (UFDs), CPU and memory cooling solutions, computer cases, solid-state drives (SSDs), and speakers.
In addition to its worldwide headquarters in Fremont, CA, Corsair maintains a production facility in Taiwan for assembly, test, and packaging of select products, distribution centers in Asia, the United States, and Europe, and has sales and marketing offices throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.
, called Cache-On-A-Stick
or COAST modules, for OEMs. After Intel incorporated the L2 cache in the processor with the release of its Pentium Pro
processor family, Corsair changed its focus to DRAM
modules, primarily in the server market. In 2002, Corsair began shipping DRAM modules that were designed to appeal to computer enthusiasts, who were using them for overclocking
. Since then, Corsair has continued to produce memory modules for PCs, and has added products in other PC components as well.
s, in both modular
and non-modular formats, ranging in output from 400 watts to 1200 watts. Most Corsair PSUs are 80Plus certified as energy efficient.
for PCs, in both mid-tower and full tower sizes. Their cases are designed to accommodate motherboards in the standard ATX, micro-ATX and mini-ITX form factors
.
from multiple suppliers, including Samsung
, SandForce
, Indilinx
, and JMicron
.
standard Serial Presence Detect
(SPD), EPP was jointly developed for DDR2 by Nvidia
and Corsair in 2006 to make the process of overclocking memory easier. EPP was later extended by NVidia to EPP2 for DDR3 and further modified by Intel for their eXtreme Memory Profile (XMP) system.
In 2009, Corsair also introduced DHX+, an update to the original DHX heatspreader design that allowed for additional memory module cooling options to be used. One example is the Corsair Ice Series T30, a thermo-electric cooler that can cool DHX+ equipped memory modules below the ambient temperature.
In 2010, Corsair updated DHX again, introducing DHX Pro, which extended DHX+ by adding circuitry to the custom PCB allowing measurement of both activity and temperature on the module, as well as a connector to allow this data to be read by external devices. The first device announced, the Corsair Airflow Pro, which mounts to the Corsair Airflow memory cooler, reads the parametric data from Dominator modules with DHX Pro and displays temperature and activity through a series of colored LEDs.
Fremont, California
Fremont is a city in Alameda County, California. It was incorporated on January 23, 1956, from the merger of five smaller communities: Centerville, Niles, Irvington, Mission San Jose, and Warm Springs...
. Corsair designs and sells a range of products for computers, including high-speed DRAM modules, ATX power supplies (PSUs), USB flash drives (UFDs), CPU and memory cooling solutions, computer cases, solid-state drives (SSDs), and speakers.
In addition to its worldwide headquarters in Fremont, CA, Corsair maintains a production facility in Taiwan for assembly, test, and packaging of select products, distribution centers in Asia, the United States, and Europe, and has sales and marketing offices throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.
History
The company was founded as Corsair Microsystems in 1994 by Andy Paul, Don Lieberman, and John Beekley, Corsair originally developed Level 2 cache modulesCPU cache
A CPU cache is a cache used by the central processing unit of a computer to reduce the average time to access memory. The cache is a smaller, faster memory which stores copies of the data from the most frequently used main memory locations...
, called Cache-On-A-Stick
Cache on a stick
COASt, an acronym for cache on a stick, is a packaging standard for modules containing SRAM used as an L2 cache in a computer. COASt modules look like somewhat over-sized SIMM modules. These modules were somewhat popular in the Apple and PC platforms during early to mid-1990s, but with newer...
or COAST modules, for OEMs. After Intel incorporated the L2 cache in the processor with the release of its Pentium Pro
Pentium Pro
The Pentium Pro is a sixth-generation x86 microprocessor developed and manufactured by Intel introduced in November 1, 1995 . It introduced the P6 microarchitecture and was originally intended to replace the original Pentium in a full range of applications...
processor family, Corsair changed its focus to DRAM
Dram
Dram or DRAM may refer to:As a unit of measure:* Dram , an imperial unit of mass and volume* Armenian dram, a monetary unit* Dirham, a unit of currency in several Arab nationsOther uses:...
modules, primarily in the server market. In 2002, Corsair began shipping DRAM modules that were designed to appeal to computer enthusiasts, who were using them for overclocking
Overclocking
Overclocking is the process of operating a computer component at a higher clock rate than it was designed for or was specified by the manufacturer, but some manufacturers purposely underclock their components to improve battery life. Many people just overclock or 'rightclock' their hardware to...
. Since then, Corsair has continued to produce memory modules for PCs, and has added products in other PC components as well.
DRAM Modules
Corsair produces a full range of DRAM memory modules, spanning DDR1, DDR2 and DDR3 memory types, with both dual-inline memory modules (DIMMs) for desktop PCs and small outline dual in-line memory modules (SODIMMs) for notebook and netbook PCs.USB Flash Drives (UFDs)
Corsair products a number of different USB flash drives, ranging in capacity from 4GB to 128GB.Power Supply Units (PSUs)
Corsair designs and sells ATX-compatible PSUPower supply unit (computer)
A power supply unit converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of the computer. Modern personal computers universally use a switched-mode power supply...
s, in both modular
Modular Power Supply Unit
A modular power supply unit, abbreviated MPS, is a type of computer power supply with cables to powered devices attached by removable power connectors instead of permanently fitted...
and non-modular formats, ranging in output from 400 watts to 1200 watts. Most Corsair PSUs are 80Plus certified as energy efficient.
Computer Cases
Corsair designs and sells casesComputer case
A computer case is the enclosure that contains most of the components of a computer...
for PCs, in both mid-tower and full tower sizes. Their cases are designed to accommodate motherboards in the standard ATX, micro-ATX and mini-ITX form factors
Comparison of computer form factors
In computing, a form factor specifies the physical dimensions of major system components. Specifically, in the IBM PC compatible industry, standard form factors ensure that parts are interchangeable across competing vendors and generations of technology, while in enterprise computing, form factors...
.
CPU and Memory Cooling
Corsair offers fan-based air and closed-loop water cooling products for Intel and AMD CPUs, as well as fan-based air coolers for memory.Solid-state Drives (SSDs)
Corsair has a range of solid-state drives, based on SSD controllersFlash memory controller
A flash memory controller manages the data stored on flash memory and communicates with a computer or electronic device. Flash memory controllers can be designed for operating in low duty-cycle environments like SD cards, CompactFlash cards, or other similar media for use in digital cameras, PDAs,...
from multiple suppliers, including Samsung
Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics is a South Korean multinational electronics and information technology company headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul...
, SandForce
SandForce
SandForce is an American "fabless" semiconductor company based in Milpitas, California, that designs and manufactures flash memory controllers for solid-state drives . On October 26th 2011 it was acquired by LSI Corporation....
, Indilinx
Indilinx
Indilinx, Inc. is a South Korean-based solid-state drive controller manufacturer. Their R&D Head Office is in South Korea, and their Business Headquarters is in California...
, and JMicron
JMicron
JMicron Technology Corporation is a Taiwanese manufacturer of integrated circuits which mostly produces Serial ATA and related controller chips....
.
Gaming Audio
In September, 2010, Corsair announced and began shipping the Gaming Audio Series HS1 USB Headset, marking its entry into the gaming audio market. The HS1 includes Dolby Headphone technology, allowing 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound content to be played back through stereo headphones. Corsair released its SP2500 2.1 high-power speakers in early 2011 along with a lower end system, the SP2200.Enhanced Performance Profile (EPP)
An extension to the JEDECJEDEC
The JEDEC Solid State Technology Association, formerly known as the Joint Electron Devices Engineering Council , is an independent semiconductor engineering trade organization and standardization body...
standard Serial Presence Detect
Serial presence detect
Serial presence detect refers to a standardized way to automatically access information about a computer memory module. Earlier 72-pin SIMMs included 5 pins which provided 5 bits of parallel presence detect data, but the 168-pin DIMM standard changed to a serial presence detect to encode much...
(SPD), EPP was jointly developed for DDR2 by Nvidia
NVIDIA
Nvidia is an American global technology company based in Santa Clara, California. Nvidia is best known for its graphics processors . Nvidia and chief rival AMD Graphics Techonologies have dominated the high performance GPU market, pushing other manufacturers to smaller, niche roles...
and Corsair in 2006 to make the process of overclocking memory easier. EPP was later extended by NVidia to EPP2 for DDR3 and further modified by Intel for their eXtreme Memory Profile (XMP) system.
Xpert Memory Modules
In 2009, Corsair was awarded U.S. Patent 7,584,006 for technology first used on its Xpert range of DRAM modules, which included a microprocessor-based system for controlling, measuring, and reporting multiple operational parameters, including frequency and activity.Dual-path Heat eXchange (DHX)
In 2009, Corsair was awarded U.S. Patent 7,606,034 for its DHX technology, which uses a specially-designed PCB and heat spreader to remove excess heat from both the front and rear of the memory IC, as well as from the printed circuit board (PCB). High temperatures can cause memory failures, system lockups, and other problems, and overclocking causes the DRAM ICs to generate even more excess heat. DHX provides an efficient way to improve heat dissipation, increasing system performance and stability.In 2009, Corsair also introduced DHX+, an update to the original DHX heatspreader design that allowed for additional memory module cooling options to be used. One example is the Corsair Ice Series T30, a thermo-electric cooler that can cool DHX+ equipped memory modules below the ambient temperature.
In 2010, Corsair updated DHX again, introducing DHX Pro, which extended DHX+ by adding circuitry to the custom PCB allowing measurement of both activity and temperature on the module, as well as a connector to allow this data to be read by external devices. The first device announced, the Corsair Airflow Pro, which mounts to the Corsair Airflow memory cooler, reads the parametric data from Dominator modules with DHX Pro and displays temperature and activity through a series of colored LEDs.
Corsair Link (Parametric Measurement and Control)
At the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV, Corsair announced a new technology, called Corsair Link, that it is developing to allow parametric measurement and control of specific Corsair products that include Corsair Link connectors. The technology creates an "intelligent" system through software-connected hardware devices. Corsair showed a Corsair Link system including Dominator GT modules with Airflow Pro, a Hydro Series H60 CPU cooler, along with fan and lighting controllers, all connected via a Windows-based application.See also
- Flash memoryFlash memoryFlash memory is a non-volatile computer storage chip that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It was developed from EEPROM and must be erased in fairly large blocks before these can be rewritten with new data...
- DIMMDIMMA DIMM or dual in-line memory module, comprises a series of dynamic random-access memory integrated circuits. These modules are mounted on a printed circuit board and designed for use in personal computers, workstations and servers...
- Power supply unit (computer)Power supply unit (computer)A power supply unit converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of the computer. Modern personal computers universally use a switched-mode power supply...
- List of PC hardware manufacturers