KSM56R46BD8PMI-48HMI Kingston 48GB DDR5 PC5-44800 5600MHz CL46 Ecc DIMM Memory Module

Kingston KSM56R46BD8PMI-48HMI 48GB Memory Module

At the forefront of server memory technology, the Kingston KSM56R46BD8PMI-48HMI represents a pivotal component for modern data centers, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise servers. This 48GB DDR5 module is engineered to deliver a significant leap in performance, capacity, and reliability over previous DDR4 generations. Operating at a speed of 5600MT/s (PC5-44800) with ECC Registered (RDIMM) design, it is tailored for demanding multi-core processors in scalable server platforms, ensuring optimal data integrity and system stability under continuous workloads.

Core Key Specifications

The Kingston KSM56R46BD8PMI-48HMI is built upon the groundbreaking DDR5 SDRAM architecture. This foundational shift introduces a paradigm of enhanced performance and efficiency critical for server environments. The module's specifications are meticulously designed to meet the rigorous demands of 24/7 operation.

Memory Capacity and Density

With a substantial capacity of 48 gigabytes (GB), this module offers a balanced solution for memory-intensive applications. The 48GB density is strategically positioned between mainstream 32GB and high-capacity 64GB modules, providing an optimal point for scaling server configurations. It allows for achieving high total system memory (e.g., 384GB in an 8-slot platform, 768GB in a 16-slot platform) without the premium cost of maximum-density DIMMs, enabling cost-effective performance tuning for virtualization, database management, and high-performance computing (HPC).

DDR5 Architectural Advancements

The transition to DDR5 architecture is central to this module's capabilities. Key innovations include a burst length of 16 (BL16) for more efficient data transfers, and two independent 40-bit subchannels (32 data bits + 8 ECC bits each) per DIMM. This dual subchannel design effectively doubles the data access granularity compared to DDR4, reducing latency and improving concurrency for memory controllers in modern server CPUs from Intel (Xeon Scalable) and AMD (EPYC).

Speed and Data Transfer Rate

This module operates at a data rate of 5600 megatransfers per second (MT/s), classified under the PC5-44800 designation (where 44800 MB/s is the theoretical peak transfer rate per module). The 5600MT/s speed represents a significant bandwidth increase over standard DDR4-3200 server memory, delivering up to 44.8 GB/s of bandwidth per module. This enhanced throughput accelerates data movement between the CPU and memory, alleviating bottlenecks in data-analytics pipelines, scientific simulations, and large-scale transactional systems.

Timing Latencies and CAS Latency (CL46)

Memory timings dictate the delay between various operations within the memory module. The Kingston KSM56R46BD8PMI-48HMI operates at a CAS Latency of 46 clocks (CL46). While DDR5 latencies are numerically higher than DDR4 due to the doubled burst length and increased internal bank groups, the effective latency in nanoseconds—a more accurate performance metric—often remains competitive or improves due to the vastly higher clock speeds. The CL46 timing at 5600MT/s is optimized for a balance of high bandwidth and responsive access in server workloads.

Advanced Server-Grade Features for Maximum Reliability

Server environments demand unwavering reliability and robust error management. This Kingston module incorporates several enterprise-grade features to ensure data integrity and system uptime.

ECC and Registered (RDIMM) Design

The module integrates Error-Correcting Code (ECC) and a Register (or Buffer) on the DIMM, classifying it as an ECC Registered RDIMM. The ECC functionality detects and corrects single-bit memory errors on-the-fly and detects multi-bit errors, preventing data corruption and silent data faults that can lead to application crashes or corrupted results. The register (or buffer) on the module drives the command and address signals, reducing the electrical load on the server's memory controller. This allows for the support of a greater number of memory modules per channel, enabling higher-capacity memory configurations in multi-socket servers without compromising signal integrity or stability.

On-Die ECC (ODECC)

A hallmark of DDR5 technology is the inclusion of On-Die ECC. This is an additional, independent layer of error correction that operates inside each DRAM chip. ODEECC corrects minor internal errors before data leaves the chip, improving the raw reliability of the memory chips themselves and contributing to the module's overall endurance and longevity under constant use. This works in tandem with the traditional sideband ECC managed by the system's memory controller.

Dual Rank

This memory module is configured as a Dual Rank (2R) DIMM. A "rank" is a set of DRAM chips that operate together to fill the data width of the memory channel (typically 64 data bits + ECC bits). A dual rank module effectively presents two independent sets of memory to the controller within the same physical slot. This architecture increases memory access parallelism, allowing the memory controller to interleave accesses between the two ranks. The result is better utilization of the memory channel's bandwidth and often a measurable performance improvement over single-rank modules in server applications, especially those with random access patterns.

Power Efficiency

DDR5 introduces a more efficient power management architecture. The module operates at a reduced voltage of 1.1V (VDD) compared to DDR4's typical 1.2V. More significantly, DDR5 moves the Power Management IC (PMIC) from the motherboard onto the memory module itself. This on-DIMM PMIC provides cleaner, more stable power delivery to the DRAM chips, improves signal integrity, and allows for finer-grained power control. This leads to better power efficiency at scale and can contribute to improved overclocking headroom and stability in performance-tuned environments.

Performance Characteristics and Real-World Application Benefits

The technical specifications of this Kingston module translate directly into tangible benefits for enterprise computing workloads.

Bandwidth-Centric Workloads

The 44.8 GB/s per module bandwidth is a game-changer for bandwidth-sensitive applications. In servers running in-memory databases (e.g., SAP HANA, Redis), the increased data transfer rate drastically reduces query times and supports larger, more complex datasets residing in RAM. For high-performance computing (HPC) clusters performing finite element analysis or computational fluid dynamics, the aggregate memory bandwidth across all channels directly accelerates simulation solve times.

Virtualization and Cloud Infrastructure

In virtualized environments using VMware, Hyper-V, or KVM, memory is a critical and often constrained resource. The 48GB capacity per module allows for higher virtual machine (VM) density per physical host. The combination of high bandwidth and low effective latency ensures that VMs experience consistent, high-performance memory access, which is crucial for consolidated workloads running diverse operating systems and applications. The ECC RDIMM design is non-negotiable for such environments, safeguarding the integrity of multiple VMs and their data.

Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) Features

Beyond core ECC, DDR5 and server platforms support advanced RAS features that this module enables. These may include memory mirroring (creating a duplicate copy of data in a separate rank or channel for fault tolerance), memory sparing (hot-swapping a failing DIMM with a pre-designated spare), and Patrol Scrubbing (the system proactively scanning memory for errors and correcting them before they cause a fault). The Kingston KSM56R46BD8PMI-48HMI is designed to function within these advanced RAS frameworks, maximizing server uptime and data protection.