Why is DDR ram so expensive?

[Badger]

Why does a 2GB flash memory card cost $30, while a 2GB DDR ram cost around $150?

[Amourek]

Apples, oranges.

[Sharp]

I would think the DDR ram requires more circuitry, and more complex since it is much faster, and handles much more data. Also that it loses the data when turned off, unlike the flash memory.

[recordman]

2G is 2G. One type doesn't handle "more" data. A kg of cotton is the same weight as a kg of iron.

I think the reason DDR is more expensive is because it has to be super fast. If your programs run inside flash memory, it would be like disk thrashing. Many (most?) hard drives are faster at reading than flash memory, but obviously are slower at seeking.

I would think the DDR ram requires more circuitry, and more complex since it is much faster, and handles much more data. Also that it loses the data when turned off, unlike the flash memory.

[Kwirky]

2G is 2G. One type doesn't handle "more" data. A kg of cotton is the same weight as a kg of iron.

I think the reason DDR is more expensive is because it has to be super fast. If your programs run inside flash memory, it would be like disk thrashing. Many (most?) hard drives are faster at reading than flash memory, but obviously are slower at seeking.

Yeah, I think that's pretty much it - the fastest flash memory does some 30MB/sec, while even lowly DDR400 does 3,200MB/sec. The technologies behind the chips are also very different, but it's this need for speed that explains why they use the different types of chips.

[kitbor]

I would like to add that the flash memory has a limited read/write circle but the memory chip used in Rams has theoretically unlimited read/write circle.

[poppa]

Production has decreased on DDR and shifting towards DDR-2.

[CdTriX]

not long ago 2GB flash memory was in the 130 range, but than 2GB RAM was in the 250 =)

Speed is a big difference..

RAM is just a memory stack. where as Flash memory is kinda like a HDD.

if you turn off your computer, all the data in the RAM = gone, therefore, it can be used as a temporary storage for files by windows/cpu.

if you turn off your flash memory, the data will reside inside the chip and will still be there when you turn it on.

besides, i don't think you want 2 gigs of flash memory as RAM.. that would suck ass...

if you don't think 2gb of ram is worth the money... use a computer with 512mb of ram.. and then load up windows... use a computer with 2gb of ram.. and load up windows..

you'll notice a huge difference if the ram is the bottleneck.. ie, everything is up to date except the smaller size of ram.

you'll notice a difference in boot up times, multitasking, application load up, games, software calculations.

[ShadowVlican]

flash storage has been dropping in price at an extreme pace

i can remember back when it used to be MORE expensive than computer memory (think 128MB sticks... not the recent 2GB for $30....)

[scratchieepants]

Yep,

Flash memory is hella cheap now, 8GB USB flash drives under $100 cdn at cost.

Yowza.

[Cyrus the Great]

Why does a 2GB flash memory card cost $30, while a 2GB DDR ram cost around $150?

They're even more expensive here in Canada. And when u add tax to it, it sometime goes way much higher than is sold in Asia/Middle east. Don't know y.

[Cyrus the Great]

Like a Kingston value ram (512MB) is selling at CC for 70 bucks+tax ~ $75, I could find it somewhwere in the mideast for $50.


http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...14&cid=RAM.178

[CameraBill]

market conditions, supply and demand.

[ShadowVlican]

think of it this way..... if it weren't for mom and pop stores.... we'd have prices like the U.S.

asia is like canada's mom and pop stores multiplied by a thousand

[ieatkittens]

Manufacturers switch their factories between DDR and Flash memory depending on market pricing..