KSM56R46BS4PMI-32HAI Kingston 32GB DDR5 5600MHz PC5-44800 Single Rank X4 ECC Memory

Comprehensive Product Overview

The Kingston KSM56R46BS4PMI-32HAI is a high-performance 32GB DDR5 5600MHz PC5-44800 ECC Registered (RDIMM) memory module designed to meet the rigorous demands of data centers, enterprise servers, and high-end workstation environments. Offering blazing speeds and dependable performance, this memory kit delivers both enhanced bandwidth and improved power efficiency, making it an ideal upgrade for businesses and professionals seeking scalable memory solutions.

Understanding 32GB Server Memory Kit

In the realm of enterprise servers, data centers, and high-performance computing (HPC) systems, memory is not merely a component; it is the critical artery through which data flows between the processor and storage. Unlike standard desktop memory, server memory is engineered for relentless operation, uncompromising data integrity, and unwavering stability under continuous, heavy loads. The Kingston KSM56R46BS4PMI-32HAI 32GB DDR5 5600MHz module represents the pinnacle of this engineering, built specifically for next-generation server platforms demanding higher bandwidth, improved efficiency, and enhanced reliability.

The DDR5 Revolution in Server Environments

DDR5 memory marks a significant architectural leap from its DDR4 predecessor, delivering transformative gains essential for modern computational workloads. For IT professionals and system integrators, understanding these advancements is key to building efficient and forward-looking server infrastructures.

Key Architectural Advancements of DDR5

DDR5 introduces several foundational changes that collectively boost performance and management capabilities.

Dual Sub-Channel Architecture

Each DDR5 DIMM is divided into two independent, 32-bit sub-channels. While the Kingston KSM56R46BS4PMI-32HAI is a single-rank module, this dual sub-channel design allows the memory controller to handle two concurrent data accesses per module more efficiently. This increases effective memory bandwidth and reduces latency for certain access patterns, making data retrieval more agile for demanding applications.

On-DIMM Power Management (PMIC)

One of the most critical innovations is the migration of the Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) from the motherboard to the memory module itself. This allows for more precise voltage regulation, improved power integrity, and enhanced signal stability. For servers, this translates to cleaner power delivery to the memory chips, which supports higher data rates (like 5600MT/s) and contributes to overall system stability and longevity, especially in dense, multi-DIMM configurations.

Increased Burst Length

DDR5 doubles the burst length from 8 to 16, enabling the transfer of more data per column access command. Coupled with an increased number of bank groups, this architecture significantly improves concurrency and efficiency. The result is a smoother data pipeline to the CPU, which is vital for workloads involving large datasets, such as in-memory databases and real-time analytics.

Decoding the Specifications: Kingston KSM56R46BS4PMI-32HAI

Every segment of this module's part number and description denotes a specific, crucial characteristic. A thorough analysis reveals its exact purpose and compatibility profile.

Capacity and Configuration: 32GB Single Rank

The 32GB capacity offers a balance between density and performance. It is an ideal building block for populating servers with substantial total memory (e.g., 512GB or 1TB across 16 or 32 slots) without pushing the electrical limits of the memory controller. The Single Rank designation indicates that the module presents one set of 64-bit data blocks (plus ECC bits) to the memory controller per sub-channel. Compared to dual-rank modules, single-rank modules can sometimes offer slightly lower latency and are often easier for memory controllers to drive at very high speeds, making this 5600MHz speed grade achievable and stable.

Speed and Bandwidth: 5600MHz & PC5-44800

The 5600MHz refers to the data transfer rate in megatransfers per second (MT/s). Each I/O pin performs 5.6 billion transfers per second. The equivalent PC5-44800 designation calculates the peak bandwidth per module: 5600 MT/s * 8 bytes = 44,800 MB/s. This substantial bandwidth helps alleviate data bottlenecks, ensuring CPUs like the latest Intel Xeon Scalable or AMD EPYC processors are fed with data efficiently, maximizing their computational throughput.

Error Correction and Signaling: ECC & Registered (RDIMM)

These two features are non-negotiable for mission-critical server environments.

ECC (Error Correcting Code) involves extra memory bits (typically 8 bits for every 64) that detect and, crucially, correct single-bit data errors on-the-fly. They can also detect multi-bit errors. This hardware-level data integrity is essential for preventing silent data corruption, system crashes, and computational errors in financial modeling, scientific research, and database transactions.

Registered (RDIMM) modules incorporate a register (or buffer) on the DIMM that buffers the address and command signals between the memory controller and the DRAM chips. This reduces the electrical load on the controller, enabling more stable signaling and allowing a system to support a much higher number of memory modules (and thus, total capacity) than would be possible with unbuffered modules. This comes with a one-clock cycle latency penalty, which is a worthy trade-off for scalable, reliable server configurations.

CAS Latency and Timings: CL46

CAS Latency (CL46) is the number of clock cycles between the memory controller issuing a read command and the first piece of data being available. While a higher CL number (like 46 at 5600MT/s) might seem slower than a lower CL at a lower speed, the absolute latency in nanoseconds is the true measure. Due to the much faster clock speed, the actual latency (often in the low 10s of nanoseconds) is often comparable to or better than previous-generation modules. System stability and compatibility are paramount; these JEDEC-standard timings are rigorously validated by Kingston for flawless operation in supported server platforms.

288-pin DIMM

The 288-pin edge connector is the physical standard for DDR5 modules. It is keyed differently from DDR4's 284-pin design, making them physically incompatible. This prevents accidental installation into an incorrect motherboard slot. The pin-out supports the new power architecture, dual sub-channels, and additional signaling required for DDR5's advanced features.

Component and Build: X4 Based DRAM

The "X4" notation refers to the organization of the individual DRAM chips on the module, specifically that they have a 4-bit wide data interface per chip. X4-based modules are a requirement for leveraging DDR5's advanced chip error correction features like On-Die ECC (ODECC). ODECC handles bit errors within the DRAM chip itself before data is sent to the module-level ECC, creating a two-tiered defense system for unparalleled data integrity. This design is optimal for enterprise workloads where reliability is paramount.

Applications and Workload Suitability

The Kingston KSM56R46BS4PMI-32HAI is engineered for specific, demanding computing environments where its features provide tangible benefits.

Virtualization and Cloud Infrastructure

Hypervisors like VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM manage multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical host. This environment requires large pools of reliable, high-bandwidth memory to allocate to VMs. The 32GB capacity and 5600MT/s speed allow for dense VM consolidation, smoother live migrations, and better performance for I/O-intensive virtualized applications, all while ECC safeguards against data corruption that could affect numerous workloads simultaneously.

In-Memory Databases (IMDB) and Analytics

Platforms such as SAP HANA, Oracle Database In-Memory, and Redis hold entire datasets in RAM for instantaneous query response. The combination of high bandwidth (PC5-44800) and massive total configurable capacity (using multiple modules) accelerates data processing to real-time speeds. The robust ECC and registered design ensure that the foundational data in memory remains pristine, preventing costly analytical errors or database corruption.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

These workloads are often memory-bandwidth bound. The 5600MT/s speed of this Kingston module helps reduce the time CPUs spend waiting for data, accelerating time-to-solution. The thermal and electrical robustness of server-grade memory also ensures stability during long-running, computationally intensive jobs.

Critical Transaction Processing

Systems that run core business operations—such as ERP suites (SAP, Oracle), financial trading platforms, and supply chain management—cannot tolerate downtime or data errors. The Registered ECC design provides the ultimate in stability and data integrity, ensuring transactional accuracy and system availability. The performance headroom also supports growing user counts and more complex business logic.

Compatibility

Server memory is not a one-size-fits-all component. Successful deployment hinges on strict compatibility.

Platform Compatibility

The Kingston KSM56R46BS4PMI-32HAI is designed for server platforms based on Intel Xeon Scalable Processors (e.g., Sapphire Rapids and Emerald Rapids generations) and AMD EPYC 9004 Series processors and beyond. These platforms feature memory controllers optimized for DDR5's voltages, timings, and sub-channel architecture.

Power Efficiency

DDR5 operates at a lower voltage (1.1V) than DDR4 (typically 1.2V). Combined with the efficiency of the on-DIMM PMIC, this can lead to meaningful power savings at scale. For data centers operating thousands of servers, even a few watts saved per DIMM can translate into significant reductions in operational expenditure (OpEx) for power and cooling over the hardware's lifetime.