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Famous memory module manufacturer Buffalo based in Nagoya, Japan, recently officially released its lineup of DDR-II SDRAM modules. Unlike other companies, who plan to start supplying DDR-II components starting from March or April, Buffalo is reported to begin sales of next-generation memory on the 24th of February, but at astonishingly high price!

Buffalo currently offers unbuffered DDR-II SDRAM DIMMs for high-performance desktops, registered DDR-II SDRAM DIMMs for high-end servers and workstations, DDR-II SO-DIMM modules for laptops. As expected, the firm has its DDR-II products in two speeds – 400MHz and 533MHz.

DDR-II (or DDR2) 240-pin memory modules from Buffalo utilize FBGA memory chips from Elpida, but are demonstrated with no heat-spreader installed for some unknown reason, as even with 1.8V memory voltage, 30% lower compared to conventional DDR SDRAM memory, DDR-II should still dissipate quite a lot of heat, especially at 533MHz.

A report over Akiba PC Hotline claims that Buffalo will start selling its DDR-II PC2-3200 modules (DDR2, 400MHz) on Monday, the 23rd of February, 2004. The initial price for 256MB module will be $455, 512MB modules will cost around $915. Even taking into account the fact that the modules are something exclusive and prices in Tokyo are higher than in the rest of the world, the quoted prices for the first batch of DDR-II are just too high for desktops and workstations.

Mainboards with DDR-II support are currently not available and are expected to emerge in March or April. All DDR-II memory systems this year will be dual-channel and will require at least two models to be installed for optimal performance. With a pair of 512MB memory modules at 400MHz with CL 3-3-3 latencies quoted at about $1800, it is not likely that DDR-II will be mainstream this year, as a couple of 512MB quality DDR modules cost about $160 nowadays.

Discussion

Comments currently: 3
Discussion started: 02/22/04 07:50:08 PM
Latest comment: 02/25/04 09:31:53 AM

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1. 
Sounds like Buffalo is trying to be as popular and as well used as RAMBUS memory. Let's see how many people want to get a memory chip that is as fast as something that is currently available except for the fact that the Buffalo DDRII has much slower latencies. And you can also pay $915 for what you could get in DDR for only $80.
There is a slang term using the word Buffalo and it means that if you have been "Buffaloed" then you have been "fooled". Perhaps this might apply well in this situation.
[Posted by: John M  | Date: 02/22/04 07:50:08 PM]

2. 
That price is sickening. That is WORSE than rambus.... LOL
[Posted by: oroblraM  | Date: 02/23/04 01:42:46 AM]

3. 
This price differential is outrageous. But I guess they don't really have many to sell, because even people who consider buying P4EE's wouldn't put these on a shopping list.

I often buy some of the latest and greatest, but no way would I part with a 1125% price premium for something that has slower latencies and NO current benefit whatsoever. You could just as easily send Buffalo a check for the difference, buy the cheaper memory and include a note, saying "got the same thing but for no reason whatsoever I decided to give you 1700 in profit".

Idiots imo, thinking they are going to get some great marketing scheme going by being first to market and not selling a single module.

idiots
[Posted by: Dave F  | Date: 02/25/04 09:31:53 AM]

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