DDR2 prices to rise throughout 2009

Robert Hallock September 15, 2009 1:35 PM ET in Tech

According to recent pricing information from DRAMeXchange, the consumers should expect increasing DDR2 costs throughout the remainder of the year.

The trend reflects increasing demands from PC OEMs moving to cover seasonal demand and the impending launch of Windows 7. Similarly, accelerating migration to DDR3 has put the squeeze on DDR2 supplies to the tune of a price hike.

In the contract market, prices for 2GB DDR2 modules rose 8.5% from September 7 to present. The price of chips has also risen. While this week’s DDR2 prices remain flat, the table below shows an early September hike of nearly 10% on the manufacturer price of 1Gb PC2-6400 chips.

Source: DRAMeXchange

Smaller denominations of DDR3, such as 1GB modules, are however on the decline. It is expected that the larger 2GB modules will follow suit in the new year as DDR3 systems from AMD and Intel become prominent.

7 Comments:

1. Ohmecks

   Hello

   
   15 Sep '09, 1:59 pm

   I'm having mixed feelings about this. On one hand, DDR2 is finally going the way of DDR. It's always good to move on. On the other hand, all my systems use DDR2, meaning upgrading my RAM will cost me a few extra dollars. Probably not much more, but still enough to elicit some small disappointment.

   I've also noticed DDR2 prices going up on NewEgg. Most, if not all the 2x 2GB kits went over the $50 mark around early August.
2. Cliff_Forster

   Keepin it real

   
   15 Sep '09, 2:02 pm

   http://www.allbusiness.com/electronics/computer-equipment-computer-chips-memory/6299128-1.html

   Gee, I wonder why?
3. Gargoyle

   We can't stop here...

   
   15 Sep '09, 5:00 pm

   Glad I bought 2x2GB for my laptop on Sunday, before things get any more expensive. I paid $50 for bargain basement stuff, but a lot of kits are up to $60 now.
4. Robert Hallock

   Cad

   
   15 Sep '09, 5:05 pm

   Quoting Cliff_Forster

   http://www.allbusiness.com/electronics/computer-equipment-computer-chips-memory/6299128-1.html

   The chip price is controlled by three vendors. Its a commodity market like gasoline, no wonder pricing is so volatile.

   Cliff, that article is from 2005. There are now many, many memory makers:
   Hynix
   Infineon
   Micron
   Samsung
   Nanya
   Inotera
   Qimonda
   Elpida

   And there are more. Facts before zeal.
5. Cliff_Forster

   Keepin it real

   
   15 Sep '09, 5:17 pm

   RAM is still a comodity based market, thats why there is barely a difference in cost across serveral makers. Crucial, OCZ, Kingston, G-Skill all priced withing 5% of each other in most cases (since they have to buy their chips on the same commodity market). Everybody knows Samsung and Hynix are bed buddies (aka stratigic partners). They have been price fixing that market forever.

   I barely care, its still cheap enough, but RAM is a commodity based market like gasoline, which is kind of ridiculous. It goes up and down and all around from one week to the next. Heck, you can go on Crucial.com today, price a stick, and 24 hours from now they could raise or lower the price as much as 10% and then back again two weeks later. RAM pricing has always been volitile that way.
6. mirage

   Veteran Icrontian

   
   16 Sep '09, 9:17 am

   Quoting Gargoyle

   Glad I bought 2x2GB for my laptop on Sunday, before things get any more expensive. I paid $50 for bargain basement stuff, but a lot of kits are up to $60 now.

   I did the same one month ago for my laptop But bought Crucial 2x2 DDR2 for $46. I don't think I will need to upgrade it ever again. Prices have been extremely affordable in the last 10-12 months for DDR2 memory. I have upgraded all of the computers and it will be DDR3 next time I buy memory again.
7. Zuntar

   Modder extraordinaire

   
   16 Sep '09, 9:18 pm

   ^same here^

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