Price Guides October 2003: CPU and Memory
by Kristopher Kubicki & Larry Barber on October 13, 2003 11:50 PM EST- Posted in
- Guides
DDR Memory
Memory is often something we overlook when writing our guides. Afterall, what good is a 3GHz CPU if you don’t have any good memory for it? Right now, we only list the cheapest timings per clock and size for each memory vendor, but soon enough we will be expanding our guides once again to take each timing into account. However, overall we can see some interesting trends in our memory prices.
The PC2100 1GB sticks were the only modules that showed major change this week. However, even with a $30 drop in price, $265 is still a bit much to be paying for two $80 512MB sticks of memory glued together. As you can probably tell, any memory clocked under PC3200 is priced about the same. Unless you have an overclocked P4 this wont matter much anyways.
While at a recent tradeshow we heard several complaints from the memory manufacturers on how quickly prices spun out of control. Considering that decent timed PC3200 costs about the same as equivalent PC2100, we are not surprised manufacturers are upset. Memory continues to be a buyers market, even with some products occasionally correcting themselves. PC4000 and higher memory seems extremely silly right now, considering no processor other than well overclocked P4’s will be able to take full advantage of the bus speed benefits.
Is a correction due? Let’s just say with the relatively low prices of high end memory, we shouldn’t expect manufacturers to plummet prices like PC3200 and PC2700. On the other hand, memory manufacturers debuted PC4000 (and higher) way too early. If the product is on shelves for 9-12 months before the mass markets can take full advantage of it, does it make sense to assume it will just sit at the MSRP before resellers start slashing prices? Stay tuned tomorrow as we are going to bring you a second installment of the guides with Video Cards and Motherboards!
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Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - link
the P4 2.4GHz 800MHz you have listed on NewEgg for $175 is the OEM version. All of the other chips you link to NewEgg are the retail versions. Was that a mistake on the part of Anandtech or did NewEgg change their prices? I was considering purchasing it, but to pay an extra ~$10 for the retail.. if that's the case I might be willing to pay an extra ~$10 on top of that to get the 2.6 from somewhere else. Is it possible for me to get NewEgg to give me the retail 2.4 for $175 or do you think I should give up on that idea? Any advice would be appreciated. jeff_lin@hotmail.comMadAd - Thursday, October 16, 2003 - link
(also posted in the comments following the current price guides article)Ive just had an idea looking at your ram tables - hopefully others will find it useful too.
I would guess 'most of us' arent really interested in the exact price of say, 2700 or 3200 unless we are actually making a purchase in the immediate future. However in the same vein, that same 'most of us' would probably like to keep abreast of the average pricing at any given time.
Keep the same page as you have now (the micro information will suit immediate intended purchasers) but also add a shortlist table at the bottom. This would be a round up, at-a-glance averages table composed of each ram category and a figure next to it representing the average price of a stick in that category.
EG, using this months figures (price column based)
2700/256 - $45.66
2700/512 - $83.90
3200 etc etc
etc
(2700/256 figures composed of ($) 44 + 45 + 42 + 55 + 45 + 43 / 6 = 45.66).
With a bit of further thought, as well as avg price, maybe a top bottom and average table for each group? Dunno - its up to you, however the average price in any given month would be a good guide to skim imo, and it wouldnt need a scientist to link the data from the current prices, so creating an autofilling table.
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(also mailed to Kris)
KF - Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - link
Since we are getting into future prediction, I predict prices on lower speed grade CPUs are going up. Don't wait 6 weeks in the hope that you can save $5. Why? The economy is picking up according to almost all statistics by now. As people get into the swing of buying again, demand for economy CPUs, which represent the best value, is going up. At the sub $100 level, I think anyone would agree CPU prices have been depressed.As for the holiday season bringing lower prices, that's not the way I remember it. Yes there are specials around that time, but if you have a memory for prices, those list prices from which they are marked down carry a holiday season inflation, and even if it is a good price, you often can't get the specials because they sell out so fast. The specials before the holiday season are generally better. Most holiday seasons, I end up sitting on the sidelines in buying for my personal use.
I think what the memory manufacturers have done is to anticipate the upswing a little to much, which has produced an oversupply.
Of course, my crystal ball is not any clearer than anyone else's
Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - link
I really dont forsee their prices coming down anytime soon. The memory manufacturers made a mistake in cutting the prices so low to begin with. There isnt much of a premium on PC3200, so I would buy now.Kristopher
Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - link
#12 - IronChefMorimoto here. I'm running the board at 333MHz. No intentions of overclocking (very little if I decide to anyway). I just want at least 1GB of memory at a slightly higher speed. PC2700 or PC3200 -- which one to buy, right now, and will either come down in price anytime soon? The prices have just been so high and stagnant of late.IronChefMorimoto
Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - link
#12 in your case are you actually running the motherboard at 400MHz FSB? I wouldnt see anything wrong with Corsair PC3200 in either case.Kristopher
Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - link
I am not sure how "If you’re building a budget system for mom, the Celeron line is looking pretty attractive. Those 2.6GHz chips that debuted about 3 months ago are hovering between $85 and $90." became buy a celeron instead of a barton.I pulled that comment anyway. I sill do not recommend buying AMD systems for at least 6 weeks (that doesnt mean buy Intel ones instead). Athlon 64's launch will continue to pump prices for a few weeks to come, and only then in time for the holiday season will we see cuts in the XP line.
Kristopher
Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - link
Here's my question -- when WILL the price of memory drop? It was really hard to get a general statement on the price of X and Y speed memory from the article. Can the author just recommend a good memory buy right now at all?I've been sitting on an nForce2 400MHz motherboard + AMD AthlonXP 2500+ for 2 months now -- running old Crucial PC2100 memory (512MB) and waiting for prices to come down.
IronChefMorimoto
Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - link
I hate to contribute on this but seriously.AthlonXP 2500+ $85
Celeron 2.6ghz $85
Even Intel Fanboys would take the athlon. What are you recommending celerons for? LOL
Anonymous User - Wednesday, October 15, 2003 - link
#9 is right. The new A64 boards have been reported to be rock solid. So what is the problem?Also, it doesnt matter if AMD prices are on the rise. Anandtech is a respectable site but when you guys start saying check out a celeron instead of a barton, you guys lose my respect.