2nd tier OEMs hit by DRAM price hike

[Steve]

There's a DRAM shortage, apparently. That means prices go up, and it's hitting 2nd tier OEMs, says Digi Times:

A persistent DRAM shortage continues to boost DRAM average selling prices (ASPs) causing some second-tier PC OEMs to even pay 10% more than previous quotes in September, according to Nanya spokesperson and vice president of global sales and marketing Pei-lin Pai.

http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20060920A5019.html

[kalniel]

Major annoyance. How long is this likely to last?

[mancubas]

Bah just as I am going to upgrade

[shaithis]

Normally lasts a few months whenever this happens

Probably ain't going to drop again until after xmas now, would be my guess at least....and it normally gets worse before it gets better.

[EtheAv8r]

The cynical amongst us will feel that between now and just after Christmas will be a big buying time for many wanting to upgrade with new kit now Core 2 Duo is out, proven, and available in volume. So all of them will require new RAM - so there is an excuse to cash-in so they will.

However we must remember that these price rises making RAM 'expensive' are relative - what did we have to (and were willing to) pay 3, or even 2 years ago for 1Gb (2*512) - and current 'high' aren't really so very high.

[Funkstar]

Even with a 10% increase, RAM is reduculously cheap compaired to what it used to be. Although, i can see this causing problems if OEMs are commited to selling at a set price, a 10% increase in that one component costs will have a dramaitc effect on their teeny tiny margins.

I remember being amazed when the computer shop i worked in started selling memory at £1/MB. that was 72pin EDO SIMMS When the advert hit the local free-sheets we sold more memory over the counter in a weekend than we normally sold in a fortnight, including the customer builds.