Overambitious DRAM makers blame Vista for decreased profit

@ 2008/12/29
Due to weakened demand and increased uncertainty, DRAM makers including Micron Technology, Hynix Semiconductor and Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) have each announced capex reductions for 2009. Meanwhile, market watchers believe that Samsung Electronics, Elpida Memory, Nanya Technology, Inotera Memories and ProMOS Technologies will also announced capex reductions for the coming year.

DRAM bit growth rate expanded aggressively during 2007, driven by major industry players' overambitious expansion plans to support Windows Vista. Among the players, Hynix' capacity jumped 159% on year in 2007, followed by Taiwan's Inotera with 112%, Japan's Elpida with 103% and Samsung's 86%. However, since the new operating system failed to take off as strongly as expected, DRAM makers have faced worsening oversupply and are turning more cautious about capital spending for 2009.

Comment from Kougar @ 2008/12/30
That's 1866MHz, their highest, most premium kit. You must expect prices on the top-end model to be absurdly high. They are sold out here, was $439.

1866MHz is not really needed, 1600MHz is really only needed for heavy overclocking... otherwise without overclocking a CAS 7 1333MHz kit is all you need.
Comment from icum @ 2008/12/30
Prices are still high in the UK, Corsair 6GB DDR3 Dominator PC3-14400C9 1866MHz (3x2GB) Triple Channel DDR3 (TR3X6G1866C9DF) £379.49 inc VAT .
that price needs to be reduced to £225inc. I forgot I live in rip off Britain. :-)
Comment from Kougar @ 2008/12/29
Amusing to read, I needed a good laugh! Blaming Vista for not pushing RAM sales as high as they wanted is just silly. Would've thought they learned from past oversupply/overcapacity mistakes.

DDR3 prices are already coming down very well, tight CAS 7 1333Mhz 6GB kits for $150, CAS8 1600MHz 6GB kits for $200 and still falling.