Mounting and Removing the DDR4 chips

Unlike the 288-pin DIMM module test heads, the DDR4 Chip Tester is intended to be used by qualified technicians that are familiar with handling delicate DDR4 chips. You must follow the strict ESD precautions to insure the safety of these chips. It is assumed that you are already familiar with the insertion and removal of standard 288-pin DIMM modules on the 288-pin DIMM test head (INN-8686-18-1). Please review this section if needed.

The DDR4 Series adapter regards the DDR4 Chip Tester (when it is loaded with 8 x8 chips or 4 x4 chips) as a full 1Rx8 DDR4 DIMM module. Therefore, you must test with all chip sockets populated with chips. Remove the DDR4 Chip Tester from the 288-pin DIMM test head (ONLY during STANDBY Mode) and place it on its back side. Open the four main covers by clicking the small release lever. WARNING: you must test only chips with the correct package size that matches the existing chip guides. You must insert the chips so that the pin-1 marker (small white circle at the edge of the chip) is pointing down, toward the 288-pin edge connector, as shown in the following picture:

The DDR4 Chip Tester comes with a vacuum pick-up set for handling the chips as shown below. Notice that the left and right chip guides make sure that the chips are properly placed on the 78-ball or 96-ball connectors.

Once you have inserted the eight DDR4 x8 chips, you can close down the four top covers. All eight chips must have the same size and device structure. Make sure the covers are properly closed before testing. Similarly, when using the DDR4 x16 Chip Tester, all four chips must have the same size and device structure. You can now insert the DDR4 Chip Tester into the 288-pin Test Head and test your DDR4 chips.

DDR4 Chip Tester Operation

The DDR4 Series adapter regards the DDR4 Chip Tester (when it is loaded with 8 chips) as a 1Rx8 DDR4 DIMM module. Therefore, its operation is identical to the operation of the standard DDR4 modules.

Please review: DDR4 Series Operation

The DDR4 Chip Tester has a built in SPD device that tells the RAMCHECK LX (or the motherboard) about the structure of the module. As you may test DDR4 chips of different sizes on this tester, you will need to reprogram this SPD to avoid size measurement errors reported by the RAMCHECK LX tester. Remember however, that the 8 x8 chips (or 4 x16 chips) for each test must have the same size and structure so that RAMCHECK LX sees the tester as a proper 1Rx8 (or 1Rx16) DIMM module.

Please review: DDR4 Series Manual Addendum

DDR4 Frequency Support

The RAMCHECK LX DDR4 adapter can perform DDR4 tests at actual test frequencies up to 1600MHz. All DDR4 Modules designed for higher frequencies (DDR4-3200, DDR4-2666, DDR4-2400, DDR4-2133 and DDR4-1866) can be functionally tested on the DDR4 Series adapter but at a reduced frequency.

EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE DDR4 CHIP TESTER

• Verify that the 78-ball (or 96-ball) contacts for all the eight (or four) chips inside the DDR4 Chip Tester are clean.
• Do not use excessive force to insert the DDR4 chips into the chip guides. If you use a different package size, contact us to order the appropriate chip guides set that match your package size.
• Make sure that pin 1 of each chip faces down toward the 288-pin edge connector of the DDR4 Chip Tester.
• Carefully lock the four front covers with their small latches.
• Verify that the 288-pin module edge contact area is clean from debris before insertion. Broken contacts in the socket may damage the DDR4 Chip Tester's edge connector.
  Please replace the 288-pin socket when it visibly worn out. This socket is much cheaper to replace than the DDR4 Chip Tester's edge connector!
• Always insert and remove the bulky metallic DDR4 Chip Tester vertically towards the 288-pin socket using both hands.
• Do not use excessive force to insert the DDR4 Chip Tester. Make sure that the 4 chip covers face the front of RAMCHECK LX.
• The socket ejectors hold the fully inserted module by locking into the socket. Notice the tactile "click" when the ejectors are locked.
• Carefully use both ejectors simultaneously on the side of the socket to remove the DDR4 Chip Tester, applying the minimal force that will still lift the tester from the socket.
• Follow the caution tips listed on this page. Particularly, make sure you turn RAMCHECK LX off (using the right side ON/OFF button) when replacing adapters and test heads.
• The DDR4 Chip Tester can be removed and inserted during STANDBY mode. Never remove or insert the tester into the test socket when the RAMCHECK LX red "Module Power" light is ON!
• Always follow the best standard ESD handling procedures when handling DDR4 modules. An anti-static wrist band is highly recommended. Please read this page about proper electro-static discharge procedures with the RAMCHECK LX.

Product Ordering

When ordering the DDR4 Chip Tester, please reference part number INN-8686-18-4-x8 for testing DDR4 x8 chips or INN-8686-18-4-x16 for testing DDR4 x16 chips. Be sure to specify the package dimension so we can customize the chip guides for your exact needs.

Note: The DDR4 Series adapter and this DDR4 Chip Tester only work with the RAMCHECK LX. It does not work with our prior-generation RAMCHECK base tester. If you own the older RAMCHECK tester, please contact us for conversion or trade-in offers, or call INNOVENTIONS at 1 (281) 879-6226.

Note: Requires RAMCHECK LX firmware version 3.45 or higher.

Please Review: DDR4 Series Specifications