Contract prices for 2GB and 4GB DDR3 modules held flat in the second half of May 2011, ending about two months of steady increases. Prices for corresponding 1Gb and 2Gb DDR3 chips averaged US$1.02 and US$2.13, respectively.
Prices may begin to fall in June as system OEMs tend to work off their existing inventory at quarter-end to settle accounts, and therefore slow down orders, according to industry sources. The sources also expressed concern that end-market demand in China and Europe remains weak.
However, some memory makers including Nanya Technology have claimed they are making efforts to adjust upward their contract prices for June, while pinning their hopes on rising PC demand in emerging markets over the next couple of months.
PC OEMs are still negotiating with their chip suppliers, Nanya said, adding that they have yet to come out with official price quotes for June. However, Nanya expects prices to see slight growth.
In addition, Nanya commented that spot prices for 2Gb chips will be adjusted upward to close the gap with contract prices sooner or later. The contract price for 2Gb DDR3 chips ranged from US$2.09-2.16 for the second half of May while spot prices were at US$1.75-1.84.
in a recent report that the transition from 2GB to 4GB as the mainstream memory density in PCs will accelerate during the second half of 2011.