Memory-Module Kit Identification

For Machine-type specific SIMM P/N see:

PS/1 PS/2 PC Memory Reference
ValuePoint Memory Reference
PS/1 Aptiva Memory Reference

Memory Presence-Determination

Visible Memory-Module Kit Identification

Some memory module kits are not labeled with a FRU number. The following information should provide methods for simple identification.

There are four key identifiers:

The chip size: narrow or wide
The chip placement (horizontal, vertical, both, 1 side or 2 sides)
The speed suffix shown on the individual chips (7=70 ns, 8=80 ns, 85=85 ns)
The module ID resistors (R1=85 ns, R2=80 ns)

Memory-Module Kit 1A and 1B
Kit 1A and 1B show 10 or more chips mounted horizontally, vertically or a mixed pattern. If there are chips on one side of the board, it is 1MB. If there are chips on both sides, it is 2MB. (A small number of 8MB kits were also manufactured in this configuration.) The suffix on the chip, for example, -8, -85 is important.

Memory-Module Kit 2L and 2R
Kit 2L shows 10 wide chips with resistors across the top, but not on the end. If there are chips on one side, it is 4MB, two sides is 8MB.

Kit 2R shows 9 or 10 chips per side, all mounted vertically. If there are two resistor locations on the right end labeled R1 and R2, it is 2MB. (R1=85 ns, R2=80 ns, R1+R2=100 ns.) There will either be 9 or 10 chips.

Memory-Module Kit 3
Kit 3 has 6 chips per side spaced evenly. If all the chips are the same size, (3R) it is 1MB. If two center chips are smaller than the 4 outer chips, (3L) it is 4MB. These could be any speed.

Memory-Module Kit 4A and 4B
Kit 4A and 4B are both 4MB. 4A has closely spaced chips on each side. There are no resistors, and it is 85 ns (there might be a tiny FRU number on the end chip.) 4B shows the front and rear of another 4MB chip configuration. There are 8 chips on the front, and 4 on the rear.

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