DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce market tracker, said Monday that while the contract price of commodity computer memory remained on low level in the second half of November, it demonstrated a slight decline.

According to DRAMeXchange, average 4GB DDR3 memory module contract price was $15.25, a 3.17% decline compared to the first half of November, whereas average 2GB contract price fell below the $9 mark to $8.75, a 2.78% decrease. While the lowest 4GB contract price remained at $15, as PC shipment figures continue to get lower Q4 2012, DRAM makers are facing significant inventory pressure. It is rumored that some DRAM makers offered special deals; although special deal prices are lower than concluded transaction prices, PC OEMs may not accept such deals as volume is high and the deals extend for two or three months.

At press time, one untested [eTT] 2Gb DDR3 chip cost $0.725 on average in Taiwan's spot market, 2Gb DDR3 1333MHz/1600MHz chip's price was approximately $0.834/$0.827, whereas 4Gb DDR3 1600MHz memory IC was priced at $2.03 on average on the spot market.

 The DRAM price declines are shrinking compared to the $1 to $2 monthly decrease that occurred mid-year. This can be attributed to DRAM makers’ capacity cuts as well as the lowering of commodity DRAM production ratios in favor of mobile and server DRAM products. TrendForce expects commodity DRAM price will see slow recovery in the first half of 2013, possibly returning to healthy levels in the latter half of the year.

Tags: DRAM, Business, DDR2, DDR3, Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron, Elpida, Powerchip Semiconductor, Inotera, Nanya