The QBM Alliance welcomes new member OCZ Technology Group and announces that OCZ Technology will produce and validate high-speed QBM (Quad Band Memory) modules.

OCZ QBM-533(4.2GB/s single channel 8.4GB/s dual channel) and QBM-667 (5.4 GB/s single channel 10.8GB/s dual channel) modules are expected to be released followed shortly by
QBM-800 (6.4 GB/s single channel - 12.8 GB/s dual channel) modules.

Wilmington, MA (Wednesday, March 19, 2003) - The QBM Alliance, an international alliance founded by Kentron Technologies (www.kentrontech.com), aimed at positioning QBM (Quad Band Memory) technology as an industry standard, welcomes OCZ Technology Group to the growing membership roster.   It is also proud to announce that OCZ will be producing and validating high-speed QBM modules to interface with VIA Technologies’ Inc PT600 chipset.

The level of support among industry leaders, both members and non-members of The QBM Alliance, continues to grow for the QBM Technology. The industry clearly realizes the impact that the delays and higher costs associated with other memory solutions have had on the industry’s ability to provide system balance with the faster processors.  QBM’s growth and acceptance in the industry has been tremendous.  This is shown in the support of major DRAM players, chipset and component companies and module manufacturers, such as OCZ Technology Group who are currently working closely with Kentron, and the other members of the QBM Alliance, to enable QBM for industry adoption.

OCZ Technology, has started gearing up for the demand of high-speed QBM modules that will come with the introduction of VIA’s PT600 in Q2 – 2003.  OCZ’s QBM modules are expected to be available in advance of VIA Technologies, Inc PT600 chipset with dual channel QBM support during the first half of 2003. OCZ QBM-533(4.2GB/s single channel 8.4GB/s dual channel) and QBM-667 (5.4 GB/s single channel 10.8GB/s dual channel) modules are expected to be released followed shortly by QBM-800 (6.4 GB/s single channel - 12.8 GB/s dual channel) modules.

“We are proud to announce that OCZ Technology, an industry leading manufacturer of high-performance memory solutions has joined The QBM Alliance,” said Joe Capaldo, Product Marketing Manager for Kentron Technologies. “As QBM module demand increases with the introduction of VIA’s PT600, OCZ Technology will be fundamental in the production and availability of QBM modules for the PC marketplace, as well as instrumental in the production of high speed, high performance QBM modules at 667MHz and beyond” concluded Capaldo.

“We are proud to be working with Kentron Technologies to produce high speed QBM solutions,” said Steve Lee, Director of Strategic Business Development. "We say with confidence that we will direct all needed resources to producing the highest speed QBM modules and QBM validated DDR ICs on the market"

The QBM Alliance Program provides its members with sales and technical assistance as well as broad marketing support.  Key industry vendors, representing best-in-class complementary solutions to Kentron’s QBM memory technology, can participate in the evaluation and implementation of products using QBM memory related technology. Members receive the most current updated technical design assistance and there are no costs associated with being a member of the Alliance. Other members of the QBM Alliance include Acer Laboratories, Acuid Corporation, ATP Electronics, Avant Technology, CST, Denali Software, Integrated Circuit Systems (ICS), Kentron Technologies, Netlist, Peripheral Enhancements, PNY Technologies, SiS, SiSoft, ST Microelectronics, Tanisys Technology, Terarecon, Triad Spectrum and VIA Technologies, Inc. 

About Kentron Technologies

Founded in 1998, Kentron Technologies specializes in the design, manufacture, sales, support and licensing of present and next-generation memory platforms to meet the speed and density requirements of mainstream and high performance computing systems. With a portfolio of patented memory solutions, Kentron is pioneering new technologies that solve the memory density and speed issues faced by the PC, workstation, server and telecom marketplace. These standard memory platforms achieve the highest “per socket” densities and bandwidths in the world without the premium costs that might be expected of such leading edge technology. Kentron manufactures its products in multiple locations in the United States and maintains a world-class engineering and R&D facility at its corporate headquarters based in Wilmington, MA.

For additional information about Kentron Technologies, Inc. please contact Andrea E. Pruna, Kentron Technologies, Inc., 155 West Street, Wilmington, MA, at (978) 988-9100, extension 4161, or at andrea@kentrontech.com.

About OCZ Technology Group

OCZ Technology is the industry leading world-renowned manufacturer of high-performance memory solutions. OCZ Technology delivers ultra high end products to all segments of the PC market. For more information please contact Ryan Petersen, OCZ Technology Group, Marketing Dept, Santa Clara, CA.

 Kentron Technologies, QBM, Quad Band Memory and The QBM Alliance are trademarks of Kentron Technologies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective companies.