DRAM contract prices for the first half of May 2011 rose by a slower rate of 2-3% with Samsung Electronics managing to push the prices for 2GB DDR3 modules to US$19, according to the latest data gathered .
Issues related to yield rates and designs for the 40nm process at Hynix Semiconductor and Elpida Memory continued to cause supply constraints at the contract market and therefore pushed up contract quotes, according to industry sources.
Early May contract prices for 2GB DDR3 modules averaged US$18.75 and went up to US$19 at the highest for some contracts.
Most PC OEM makers reportedly have accepted quotes from Samsung due to a tight supply of branded DRAM chips caused by low yield rates at memory vendors.