Standard DRAM bit demand is set to decline 3.5% sequentially in the fourth quarter of 2013, due to stagnant sales of desktops and notebooks and slowing growth in PC memory content, according to Digitimes Research.
DRAM bit demand for PCs consisting of desktops, notebooks/netbooks and upgrade modules for PCs will slip to 4.4 billion gigabits (Gb) in the fourth quarter of 2013, down from 4.564 billion Gb in the prior quarter, but up from 4.156 billion Gb a year ago, said Digitimes Research. In all of 2013, overall standard DRAM bit demand is forecast to rise 6.8% on year to 17.34 billion Gb, Digitimes Research indicated.
The anticipated 6.8% growth for 2013 is higher than the 5.7% increase posted in 2012, but far less optimistic compared to 2010 when standard DRAM bit demand climbed 39.8%, Digitimes Research observed.
The growing popularity of tablets and other mobile devices has been hurting traditional PC sales, Digitimes Research noted. Meanwhile, average DRAM content per PC has witnessed a slowing in growth, Digitimes Research said.
In addition, a recent rally in DRAM prices is likely to decelerate the growth of DRAM content in notebooks, Digitimes Research indicated. DRAM prices have rallied since September on speculation that global supply might be constrained due to SK Hynix' production shortfalls.
Growth in DRAM bit demand for desktops will slow to 2.6% in 2013, compared to growth of 11.6% in 2012 and 23.6% in 2011, Digitimes Research said. For notebooks, the DRAM bit demand growth will reach 16.6% in 2013, higher than 8.9% in 2012, but far lower than the 51.5% increase posted in 2010, Digitimes Research disclosed.
This article is an excerpt from a Chinese-language Digitimes Research report. Click here if you are interested in receiving more information about the content and price of a translated version of the full report.