DRAM Memory Module Computer RAM Market Trends Prices Commentary

Chattering is being heard around the DRAM maker water coolers about DE-COMMITTING on prices and supply to tier one computer OEMs like HP, Dell and others. With the beating the likes of Samsung, Hynix, Micron, Qimonda and Elpida have taken it seems they have perhaps pulled out the stick to draw a line in the DRAM sand in the aim of higher prices. DDR (1) is hot in the broker and spot markets, with resellers scambling to aquire 1GB Unbuffered DIMMs at prices above $30.00 for pulled, refurbished and third party modules while quotes on 1GB Unbuffered DDR2 DIMMs are $11.00 plus.It seems that finally the 64-bit Vista and hunger for larger memory has finally started to grab, to bad the DRAM guys had two years of over production.  If DRAM suppliers cut supply and claim to have no parts tier one OEMs will move to large independent stocking distributors to find supply and the market could run up.Online prices for DDR at online retailers have moved up in the past weeks. Many brokers have lost edge and or are out of the business in the past year or so, which will create less spot market speculation which will keep the cards in the hands of the DRAM makers. 

The pursuit of speed and power show us a recently new added 800MHz specification in the DDR2 speed and product line found in the new Mac Pro 8core from Apple.  These along with increased CPU size allow for some MAC applications to run twice as fast.  The 800MHz FBDIMM is also found in PC specification versions as well.  The fact that it coincides with the market up tick it, this product line has become tight.  In the spot market chip supply is short and demand is good.  Both the 128×8 and 128×4 800MHz have made good gains in the past weeks both in eTT and OEM true branded chips.  Interesting it will be, if the CHIP OEMs keep them tight (wondering if they really have them, we need to find out) and we shall all see if it can and will drag up the more supplied speed of the 667MHz.