These are bad times for the PC market. During 2020 and 2021, the two years during which the COVID-19 pandemic raged and telecommuting expanded, manufacturers sold virtually all the computers they could make, but at the beginning of 2022 its course was twisted. During the first quarter of last year, distributed units fell by around 5%, and the slope continued to incline until closing the year with an approximate drop of 20% compared to the same period in 2021.
It is still early to draw definitive conclusions, but it seems that in 2023 the downward trend that has gained momentum during 2022 is continuing. In fact, the IDC consultancy predicted at the beginning of last September that the crisis in the PC market would It will worsen in 2023 and the first signs of recovery will not arrive until 2024. However, this delicate situation benefits users for a reason: the drop in demand is causing the price of some components to drop. That of DRAM memories is already falling.
The price of DRAM has fallen by 20% during the first quarter of 2023
The figures handled by the TrendForce consultancy are blunt: the average price of DRAM memory modules has been reduced by 20% during the first quarter of this year if we compare it with what they had in the last quarter of 2022. However, there are a curious fact that is worth not overlooking: the average price of DDR5 memories is falling more than that of DDR4, a trend that favors users who have already opted, or plan to do so in the short term, for the latest Intel or AMD platforms.
Samsung, Micron and SK Hynix have decided to adjust their manufacturing capacity to current demand to prevent ‘stock’ from accumulating
The reaction of the main memory manufacturers has not been long in coming. Samsung, Micron and SK Hynix have decided to adjust their manufacturing capacity to current demand to prevent stock from accumulating in stores and prices from continuing to drop drastically. In fact, they anticipate that the manufacturers of computers, mobile phones, servers and other equipment will continue to moderate their purchasing power because, apparently, they have enough memories in their possession to be self-sufficient for months.
Given the circumstances, it is understandable that users wonder if it is a good time to upgrade or expand the memory of our computer. Yes, it certainly is. Just take a look at the price of DDR4 or DDR5 memory modules in any store to see that they cost less than in 2022. However, those who can afford to wait a little longer will be right. And it is that TrendForce, which in this area is a reliable consultancy, has predicted that during the second quarter of 2023 the price of the memories that users can find in stores will decrease between 10 and 15% additional. It’s not but not bad.
Top image: Acer
More information: TrendForce
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