DRAM sales highlight Windows' flat hardware

By Nicole Kobie  Posted on 29 Oct 2012 at 13:15

Windows 8's leaner hardware requirements means DRAM shipments aren't set to jump after the release of the new Microsoft OS, according to an analyst.

Traditionally, DRAM shipments jump significantly when Microsoft updates Windows, as PC makers need to boost memory to support the new OS.

However, Microsoft has kept base hardware requirements stable for Windows 7 and Windows 8, meaning older PCs can run the new OSes - and DRAM manufactures no longer see a sales bump.

According to IHS iSuppli, DRAM shipments will be up 8% in the fourth quarter, but that's in-line with growth over previous quarters - after the arrival of Windows 3.1, for example, DRAM shipments jumped 29%.

While Microsoft recommended 300MHz processing power and 128MB RAM for XP when in launched in 2001, the company has held the minimum requirement of 1GB of RAM and 1GHz of processing power for Windows Vista, 7 and 8.

"The release of a new Microsoft OS traditionally has been accompanied by more advanced system requirements, which then fuels growth in the DRAM market as more bits are shipped," said Clifford Leimbach, analyst for memory demand forecasting at IHS. "However, starting with Windows 7 and continuing with Windows 8, Microsoft has taken a leaner approach with its operating systems, maintaining the same DRAM requirements as before."

He added that slower PC sales were also cutting into DRAM shipments, but noted the desktops and laptops account for less than 50% of DRAM shipments now, with smartphones and tablets making up the difference and boosting overall sales