why isn't RAM cheaper?

[narlus]

i've come to teh conclusion that my PC probably needs more memory, as my massive database makes slimserver run a bit slow, esp if i'm also doing stuff like photoshop or other demands.

but i'm used to prices dropping like a rock for computer-related things over time, and memory doesn't seem to follow this trend. here's what i paid for 2x512 of RAM in april 2005:


DDRAM 2x512MB PC-3200 GE1GB3200BDC (Qty=1,Price=$94.85)

to buy 2x1GB of RAM, almost 18 months later, is gonna be close to $300. why?

[H8R]

i've come to teh conclusion that my PC probably needs more memory, as my massive database makes slimserver run a bit slow, esp if i'm also doing stuff like photoshop or other demands.

but i'm used to prices dropping like a rock for computer-related things over time, and memory doesn't seem to follow this trend. here's what i paid for 2x512 of RAM in april 2005:


DDRAM 2x512MB PC-3200 GE1GB3200BDC (Qty=1,Price=$94.85)

to buy 2x1GB of RAM, almost 18 months later, is gonna be close to $300. why?


WTF?

What ram are you looking at??

[binary visions]

WTF?

What ram are you looking at??

:stupid:

Are you accidentally in the fully buffered section?

[H8R]

Not the fastest, but stable and worry free:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145486

[narlus]

WTF?

What ram are you looking at??

the stuff (http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1826477&postcount=72) you recommended:

[binary visions]

...even at that, realistically, PQI and OCZ both make quality memory sticks at 2gb for around $200. They aren't going to have super fast timings but for non-gaming purposes, they're just fine.

[H8R]

Wait, maybe some DDR2 is like $300, but most any decent 2gb kits of PC3200 can be had for $220 or less.

[H8R]

the stuff (http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1826477&postcount=72) you recommended:

Wow, those prices did stay up there.

Go with the link I posted above, I'm running that and it works great for Photoshop, burning, etc.

[narlus]

OCZ seems to have a dominant history of never receiving rebates.

i don't know my DDR2 from my PC3200. in fact, i am confused about the differences between these two Corsair chips, other than price:

$230 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145486)

$282 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575)

[Transcend]

Ram prices have been rising daily in the last month or so. Some RAM that i need has gone up from $168 to $248 in the last 4 weeks. (This is special ram, just plain old FB DIMMs, not the ones with the apple syncs). The stuff with the syncs I need is $299 for a 2x512 kit, from Crucial. Ouch.

Across the board it has been rising. It's a comodity, and as such fluctuates daily.

[H8R]

OCZ seems to have a dominant history of never receiving rebates.

i don't know my DDR2 from my PC3200. in fact, i am confused about the differences between these two Corsair chips, other than price:

$230 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145486)

$282 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575)

Latency.

The more expensive chips have less latency, the memory runs on fewer clock cycles. It would really make the difference for you if you were a hardcore gamer, otherwise the difference will most likely be inperceptable. (sp?)

[Kornphlake]

RAM is kind of like gold, it's value goes up and down from time to time. Generally it has come down over the last several years, 15 years ago when my dad bought his first PC 2MB was considered a lot of RAM and cost about $100/MB, 2GB was not only cost prohibitive it was technologically impossible. Flash RAM has been falling really quick lately, much like RAM for computers did in the 90's. PDA's now have more capablilites and capacity than 286's did years ago for hundreds of dollars less.

[SkaredShtles]

Speaking of RAM - does anybody have some old 133 ECC RAM around in 512MB DIMMs? I think I could use more than the 896MB I currently have....

[Transcend]

RAM is kind of like gold, it's value goes up and down from time to time. Generally it has come down over the last several years, 15 years ago when my dad bought his first PC 2MB was considered a lot of RAM and cost about $100/MB, 2GB was not only cost prohibitive it was technologically impossible. Flash RAM has been falling really quick lately, much like RAM for computers did in the 90's. PDA's now have more capablilites and capacity than 286's did years ago for hundreds of dollars less.

Indeed, it's a commodity, just like gold or oil. If you watch stuff on crucial.com, you can see prices go up and down up to a dozen times a day. They are a large ram manufacturer (micron) and as such, are directly affected and can respond faster.

[narlus]

but do other computer components also behave this way? storage universally seems to get cheaper all the time, as do things like optical drives, monitors, etc...what about processors?

[SkaredShtles]

Last time RAM spiked it was due to a fire in a major fab over in Taiwan, IIRC. Anything like that going on recently?

[syadasti]

RAM companies have been fixing prices for years they just got busted recently.

[Transcend]

Last time RAM spiked it was due to a fire in a major fab over in Taiwan, IIRC. Anything like that going on recently?

There was an earthquake last time, this time I am not 100% sure. It has risen steeply in a few weeks.

[SkaredShtles]

RAM companies have been fixing prices for years they just got busted recently.
They got busted and the prices went UP? :disgust:

[H8R]

but do other computer components also behave this way? storage universally seems to get cheaper all the time, as do things like optical drives, monitors, etc...what about processors?

Procs tend to maintain the initial price for a few months, then they plummet as the new procs come out. They don't really tend go go back up unless there is unexpected high demand.

RAM prices can stay especially high for uncommon types of chips. PC3200 is very common and therefore easy to get a couple GB for cheap. Speed's just a question of money - faster chips cost more.

[syadasti]

They got busted and the prices went UP? :disgust:

Its an ongoing investigation. RAM, probe, poke :D

Government finds witness in RAM price-fixing probe (http://news.com.com/Government+finds+witness+in+RAM+price-fixing+probe/2100-1004_3-5347423.html)

[SkaredShtles]

So nobody has any old ECC RAM that they want to unload? :D

[binary visions]

So nobody has any old ECC RAM that they want to unload? :D

I threw/gave a bunch away before I moved, to reduce the 658,291 computer parts I had kicking around. I think I knocked it down to an even 100,000, give or take :p

[SkaredShtles]

I threw/gave a bunch away before I moved, to reduce the 658,291 computer parts I had kicking around. I think I knocked it down to an even 100,000, give or take :p

Dammit! Always a day late and a dollar short. :D

[narlus]

well i placed the order today for the ~$240 corsair stuff.

am i correct in saying that i should pull the 2x512MB out, because if i leave it in the machine will run slower?

[binary visions]

If you ordered 2x of the same memory module, then yes, it'll run slower with the other GB in, since it won't run in dual channel mode with more than two sticks.

[Reactor]

:brows: Last time RAM spiked it was due to a fire in a major fab over in Taiwan, IIRC. Anything like that going on recently?

The only recent disaster affecting RAM supplies is Windows Vista. :bonk:

Seriously it's supply and demand, it's the holiday more computers are being sold. Windows vista is coming out so people are putting more RAM in the machines they are buying, and of course IMacs are selling like hotcakes. :biggrin: