This section provides an overview for memory as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 15 memory manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked memory companies as of November, 2024: 1.PATRIOT MEMORY, INC, 2.Kingston Technology Company, Inc., 3.Crucial.
Table of Contents
Figure 1. Memory outline drawing
Memory is a storage device composed of semiconductors that is used to record various data and programs.
Most of today's computers are made of a configuration known as the Neumann type. The Neumann type is said to have been proposed by the American mathematician John von Neumann. The method proposed by Neumann is called a program-embedded computer, in which programs are stored in the computer's memory and instructions are executed one at a time.
Memory is a device that stores data and programs and communicates with the CPU.
Figure 2. Components of a computer
A computer consists mainly of a CPU (central processing unit), memory (storage device), and HDD (hard disk drive). Program instructions and data are exchanged between the CPU and memory for processing. For this reason, almost all electronic devices with CPUs have memory.
Computers have the following five functions:
The storage capacity of memory can be compared to the size of a work desk. The larger the memory capacity (the larger the working table), the more work can be performed in parallel.
If memory capacity is small, data that cannot be stored will be written to the HDD, but reading/writing data from the HDD will take longer than from memory, thus reducing the overall processing speed.
Memory is a storage device composed of semiconductors, and is classified into RAM and ROM according to function and form. Generally speaking, memory refers to RAM.
Figure 3. DRAM vs. SRAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is used as the main memory, which is frequently accessed by the CPU to store programs and data temporarily. RAM is broadly classified into DRAM and SRAM.
DRAM stands for Dynamic RAM, which has a larger capacity than SRAM, but is slightly slower and requires recharging (refresh/recharge).
SRAM is an abbreviation for Static RAM, which is characterized by the fact that there is no charge transfer, and is faster and easier to use than DRAM, but has a smaller capacity. SRAM is used for cache memory in CPUs because of its high speed.
ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. ROM is a non-volatile memory that does not lose its data even if the power is turned off. For this reason, it is often used to record internal firmware, such as BIOS, HDDs, and routers. ROMs are classified into the following types according to whether they are writable or not.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Incorporated in 1965, Analog Devices, Inc. designs, manufactures, tests, and markets integrated circuits (ICs), software, and subsystems that leverage analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies. The company provides data converter products, power management and reference products for power conversion, driver monitoring, sequencing, and energy management applications in the automotive, communications, industrial, and high-end consumer markets. In addition, the company provides digital signal processing and system products for high-speed numeric calculations. It serves clients in the industrial, automotive, consumer, instrumentation, aerospace, and communications markets.
Kingston was established in 1987 as a manufacturer of memory and storage solutions having its headquarters in California. The company produces RAM memory for Desktop PC, laptops, or servers and Solid State Drives (SSDs) for the same along with USB flash drives that provide mobile storage and are available in encrypted and standard security formats. There are also SD and microSD flash memory cards and Readers embedded NAND and DRAM solutions and components for industrial-level electronic manufacturing and they also provide storage solutions to Data centers, cloud services, edge computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Rochester Electronics, LLC is a manufacturer stocking distributor of end-of-life semiconductors and the broadest range of active semiconductors that is headquartered in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and was founded in 1981. The company caters to manufacturing services ranging from design, wafer processing, testing, reliability, and IP Archiving. These specifically include OCM, build-to-order products, process flows, and standard packaging creation. The company pivots on manufacturing and distributing semiconductors that are no longer produced by its original manufacturer.
Renesas Electronics Corporation was established in 2002 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Renesas is a global research, design, and manufacturer of semiconductors used in industries spanning automotive, consumer electronics, the internet of things, power & energy, and industrial sectors. Renesas manufactures both analog and digital products. Analog products include amplifiers, audio & video devices, data converters, PLC, and switches & multiplexers. Digital products include microcontrollers, memory components, sensors, wireless connectivity products, and others. Renesas also offers design resources such as kits, development tools, partner programs, and design tools.
Intelligent Memory, founded in 1991 as Pacific Force Technology Ltd, and based in Hong Kong, is a manufacturer of memory products. The company’s product portfolio comprises DRAM IC’s and modules from SDRAM to DDR4 as well as LPDDR4 components and NAND products for industrial applications. To cope with the challenge of achieving double memory density without using two separate sets of control wires, the company has developed a way to manufacture 8 Gigabit DDR3 single chip select components with existing DRAM process technologies.
Twilight Technology, Inc., established in 1996 and headquartered in Anaheim, USA, is a manufacturer of IC packaging and testing services. The company specializes in footprint conversions, RoHS compliance, and custom packaging and provides solutions for the military, aerospace, and commercial sectors. Its capabilities include nitrogen die banking and obsolescence management, ensuring continued support for components facing limited availability. The company also offers standard and custom replacements for obsolete semiconductors, utilizing original or compatible die to maintain form, fit, and function. It offers prototyping and manufacturing services and employs cutting-edge technology and CAD software in its products.
Micron is an American manufacturer of data storage and computer memory products that was established in 1978. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the company primarily produces NOR and NAND flash memory for data drives or embedded systems, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) for computers or servers, and ultra-bandwidth memory models for graphics rendering or artificial intelligence applications. Its products are used in data centers, cloud computing, smart devices, and infotainment systems. Micron has served several notable clients, including Dell Technologies Inc., the Panasonic Corporation, and Amazon Web Services Inc.
Acme Chip Technology Co. Ltd., founded in 2008 and based in Shenzhen, China, is a distributor of electronic components that is ISO 9001 certified. Its products include sensors, power supplies, and optical inspection equipment sourced from several manufacturers, including Advanced Linear Devices Inc., Central Semiconductor Corp., and Fluke. The company also offers a large stock of electronic components, including obsolete components and old code chips that are always available for immediate shipment.
Lenovo Group Ltd., founded in 1984 and headquartered in Hong Kong, is a manufacturer of IT-related products, including peripherals, personal computers, handhelds, servers, and mainframes. The company's diverse product line, branded under ThinkPad, ThinkBook, IdeaPad, Yoga, and Legion, serves individual consumers and large enterprises. The company's target market includes global consumers, businesses, and institutions, while operating in compliance with ISO 9001:2008 guidelines for quality assurance management. It also offers warranty lookup, PC, and data center services to customers.
PATRIOT MEMORY, INC, founded in the United States in 1985, is manufacturer of a high-performance memory and storage products and solutions, streamlining users and technologies of data applications for different verticals. The company's product portfolio includes high-speed flash storage solutions, ideal for embedded systems, data centers, and consumer electronics, and a wide range of memory modules, including DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR4, with varying capacities to cater to diverse computing needs. The company has sales offices located throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Samsung Semiconductor is a Korean manufacturer of memory chips originally founded in 1974 as Samsung Semiconductor & Telecommunications Co. before merging with parent company Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s semiconductor business unit in 1988. Based in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, the company produces various memory chips for use in computers and smart devices, including low-power double data rate (LPDDR), NAND flash, and DRAM chips. It also offers large-scale integration (LSI) products such as display drivers, processors, and image sensors for integrating components or functionalities into a single chip. Samsung Semiconductor operates globally, with facilities and sales offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Alliance Memory is a global fabless manufacturer of memory storage devices such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), DRAM(Dynamic Randomly Access Memory) and Flash Integrated Circuits (IC's). A fabless manufacturer company is a company where they design and market their hardware while they outsource the production of that hardware to a third party partner. Alliance Memory is a private organization which is headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, USA. Their products are mainly used in mobiles and embedded devices, automotive sector and in the medical field. They have received the ISO:9001 2015 certification.
Richardson RFPD, based in Geneva, Illinois, is an electronic component distributor that became a subsidiary of Arrow Electronics in 2011. The company stocks products such as antennas, power supplies, and ICs, and its engineering team brings together over 600 years of combined design experience in IoT product development, wireless, and RF, making it competent from conception to production. The company is ISO 9001 certified and has three international distribution hubs in Asia, Europe, and North America. It sells products from several brands, including Advanced Thermal Solutions, Empower RF Systems Inc., and Carlisle Interconnect Technologies.
Lingto Electronic Limited is a distributor of electronic components and wireless modules that was incorporated in 2022 in Hong Kong, China. The company stocks passive and active electronic components from brands such as Xilinx, Fairchild, and Altera, These include power management devices, logic integrated circuits, and electrolytic capacitors. It also offers wireless and GPRS modules, such as cell jamming detectors, vehicle tracking chips, and text-to-speech (TTS) modules. The company mainly markets to clients in electronic manufacturing, networking, and telecommunications operations.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | PATRIOT MEMORY, INC |
32.2%
|
2 | Kingston Technology Company, Inc. |
11.9%
|
3 | Crucial |
11.7%
|
4 | Micron |
8.9%
|
5 | Analog Devices, Inc. |
8.0%
|
6 | Rochester Electronics |
4.4%
|
7 | Samsung Semiconductor |
4.4%
|
8 | Alliance Memory, Inc |
3.6%
|
9 | Twilight Technology, Inc. |
3.5%
|
10 | Intelligent Memory Limited |
3.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the memory page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 60.0% |
Japan | 1 | 20.0% |
China | 1 | 20.0% |