New Haswell system - RAM now, rest later?

[Ken g6]

Hey, guys, this may be a stupid question, but...

I noticed the other day someone posted that RAM prices are "skyrocketing". I don't remember who. I've been planning to build a Haswell system for many months, but obviously I can't do it until around June. But one thing I know already is that I'd like fast RAM. Why, when it doesn't help most applications? Because I frequently use an application that benefits from fast RAM - even on Intel i7s:

I changed my ram from 1600 to 2133 last year and got a speed improvement of 10-15%.

So, I know I want fast RAM, for around $100. I found some fast RAM for a little over $100. I think the price is going up, and I think I can test any RAM I get now on an old Athlon II system. Any reason I shouldn't go ahead and buy it now?

 

[Termie]

I posted that information on RAM prices. They've gone up 20% in the past ten days. It was a long time coming. DRAM prices had fallen drastically, making it unprofitable for manufacturers to sell it.

I honestly don't think we'll ever see $4/GB again. Just like DDR2, which eventually settled at a price far above its low, the bottom in the DDR3 market has come and gone.

Probably worth it to wait and watch prices, as performance kits may still come down in price from where they are today. You don't need it for three months or so.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Will Haswell be DDR3?

 

[Ken g6]

Yes, Haswell is supposed to be DDR3. The high-end socket, Haswell-E, may be DDR4, but that's not coming for another year. And I probably wouldn't want it anyway.

 

[mfenn]

I always hate buying stuff early because life is too unpredictable. Something that is certain today may be completely out of the question in two months. So my advice is to hold off simply because you might not be able to put the RAM to use at all.