Price Check Q3 2016: DRAM Prices Down Over 20% Since Early 2016

High-Speed DDR4 Pricing

Coming up next are higher-speed DDR4 modules. In fact, the difference between prices of DDR4-2133/2400 devices and DDR4-3000 modules is relatively small. The latter retail for around $65 to $80 while delivering considerably higher official rated performance than the officially supported frequencies by today’s processors (meaning modules with 2133 and 2400 MT/s data rates).

G.Skill's Ripjaws V DDR4-3000/CL15 2x8 GB (F4-3000C15D-16GVGB) Kit

For example, G.Skill's Ripjaws V DDR4-3000/CL15 2x8 GB kit (F4-3000C15D-16GVGB) costs $61.99 at Newegg and $72.79 at Amazon.

Patriot’s Viper 4 DDR4-3000/CL16 2x8 GB (PV416G300C6K) Kit

Meanwhile, Patriot’s Viper 4 DDR4-3000/CL16 16 GB (2x8 GB) kit (PV416G300C6K) can be purchased for $79.99 at Amazon, down from over $100 several months ago (but up from $63.99 in June). DDR4-3000 kits from companies like Crucial, Corsair, Kingston cost about the same, or they are only slightly pricier. Nonetheless, they are all lower than the prices six months ago.

G.Skill’s Ripjaws V DDR4-3200/CL16 16 GB (2×8 GB) Kits

Starting at DDR4-3200, memory sticks for overclockers get somewhat more expensive: the most affordable models retail for $75 to $90. This happens because not all DRAM chips can operate at such data rates. Still, if you want extra frequency without major overprices, DDR4 kits rated for 3200 MT/s are products to consider. Moreover, prices of such products decline pretty fast as well, as shown by G.Skill’s Ripjaws V DDR4-3200/CL16 16 GB (2×8 GB) kits (F4-3200C16D-16GVK and F4-3200C16D-16GVGB) These used to cost $120 in January, but which can now be purchased starting at $75.95 from a partner of Amazon or for $71.99 from Newegg.

G.Skill's Ripjaws V DDR4-3600/CL17 2×8 GB Kit (F4-3600C17D-16GVK)

Memory modules rated to run at 3600 MT/s cost nearly two times more than the most affordable DDR4-3000 devices: they are priced starting from $115 to $135 at Amazon and Newegg. Nonetheless, market trends fully affect prices of such modules as well: the G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-3600/CL17 16 GB (2×8 GB) kit (F4-3600C17D-16GVK) retailed for $275.99 in early 2016, but right now the kit is available for $126.50 at Amazon and for $115 from Newegg.

Corsair's Vengeance LPX and G.Skill's Trident Z at DDR4-4000+ 

DRAM modules capable of running at 4000 MT/s and higher are available only from two vendors, and they are intended mostly for hardcore enthusiasts as well as those that want to conduct extreme overclocking experiments. Prices of such modules remain very high regardless of market trends because very few DRAM ICs can operate at such frequencies - it subsequently takes module manufacturers a lot of time to cherry pick the right chips to build such modules. So far, only G.Skill has introduced a 16 GB (2×8 GB) dual-channel DDR4-4133/CL19 kit, the TridentZ F4-4133C19D-16GTZA. This product is currently available for $370 from an Amazon partner and for $220 at Newegg. It is noteworthy that retailers started to sell this kit very recently and we do not have any data regarding its price fluctuations yet.

When it comes to blazing-fast 8 GB (2×4 GB) dual-channel DDR4-4266/CL19 memory kits, there are two options available today:

G.Skill’s TridentZ F4-4266C19D-8GTZ for $338 at Amazon and for $280 at Newegg
Corsair’s Vengeance LPX CMK8GX4M2B4266C19(R) for $322.44 at Amazon and for $285 at Newegg.

These kits have gotten a fair bit cheaper recently, yet they are still very expensive.

Now, let’s take a look at larger kits designed for HEDT systems. Due to the intrinsic nature of the quad-channel memory controllers inside Core i7 Extreme Haswell-E and Broadwell-E processors, HEDT kits do not boast with extremely high frequencies. This is because it is harder to qualify four modules at high clock rates and because even at moderate frequencies such DRAM sub systems already deliver a lot of bandwidth. What memory kits for HEDT do require are sub-timings optimized for their operation in quad-channel mode: when in dual channel, some sub-timings can be tightened for better performance, which is why to ensure compatibility we suggest that users should by the full kit required for their system, rather than two separate dual-channel kits.