DRAM
Ongoing coverage on DRAM.
Latest coverage
Intel's new 200K Plus chips support ultra-fast DRAM out of the box but as my tests show, there's little benefit for most PC gamers in using warp-speed stuff
Intel's new Core Ultra 200S Plus processors support ultra-fast DDR5 DRAM speeds of up to 7,200 MT/s. However, testing reveals minimal performance benefits for most PC gamers, with improvements rarely exceeding 5% and often falling within the margin of error. Faster DRAM is only beneficial in highly memory-dependent games or specific scenarios, and even then, the gains may not justify the cost.
'There is no scenario where memory prices correct in the second half' of 2027, according to new market…
Market research firm Counterpoint Research indicates that memory prices are unlikely to see a correction until the second half of 2027 due to an ongoing supply crisis. Prices for DDR5 DRAM modules, LPDDR5X, and DDR4 have significantly increased, with NAND product pricing also spiking. Analysts suggest that consumer pricing improvements will not be seen until late 2027, as suppliers prioritize commodity memory production over custom AI chips.
As if PC hardware news couldn't get any gloomier, one research report suggests mainstream laptop prices could rise…
A TrendForce report indicates that rising prices for PC components like CPUs, DRAM, and SSDs could lead to a 40% increase in mainstream laptop prices. This surge, driven by memory cost increases, could significantly impact the bill of materials for manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Asus. The article questions consumer willingness to pay higher prices, drawing parallels to the GPU market during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DRAM maker SK hynix has validated its next-gen LPDDR6 which would be great news for handheld PCs, except that the…
DRAM maker SK hynix has successfully validated its next-generation LPDDR6 memory, which offers improved performance and 20% lower power consumption compared to LPDDR5X. While ideal for handheld gaming PCs and mobile devices, SK hynix appears to be prioritizing the AI market for its new memory, potentially limiting availability for other sectors.
Phison CEO says 'both money and inventory are insufficient' as NAND prices continue to climb at an…
Phison Electronics CEO Khein-seng Pua warns that NAND prices are continuing to climb rapidly, driven by high demand from the AI industry and supply constraints. Despite inventory increases, Pua states that both money and inventory are insufficient to meet demand. The company is developing technologies like aiDAPTIV+ to address limited DRAM supply for AI capabilities on PCs.
Industry insiders say Samsung has confirmed a DRAM price increase of 'over 100%' for its customers, so brace yourself for the next phase of the dreaded RAMpocalypse
Samsung Electronics has confirmed a DRAM price increase of over 100% for its customers in the first quarter, a significant jump from the 70% increase in January. This follows similar price hike announcements from SK Hynix, with manufacturers considering switching to monthly contracts due to high demand, particularly for AI servers. The rising costs are expected to impact end consumers, with potential for further increases in RAM, GPU, and SSD prices.
It looks like more memory price hikes may soon be on the way, as Samsung and SK Hynix reportedly inform customers of yet…
Samsung and SK Hynix are reportedly informing customers of a second-quarter DRAM price increase, with negotiations underway. Industry insiders suggest that current production capacity can only meet about 60% of the surging demand, leading to significant price hikes for smaller customers. Research firm Gartner estimates DRAM and SSD prices could surge by 130% by the end of 2026, impacting PC prices.