New DRAM value‑per‑area chart draws attention amid rising memory prices

A new DRAM wafer‑value comparison has been making the rounds this week, illustrating how current memory pricing places modern DRAM generations above leading‑edge logic nodes on a per‑mm² basis.

The chart originates from Kurnal, who converted DRAM bit density and spot‑price assumptions into a simple “value per square millimetre” comparison. The graphic compares several DRAM generations against nominal per‑mm² wafer pricing estimates for TSMC’s N3 and N2 logic processes.

Image credit: Kurnal

Tom’s Hardware made a few useful points when discussing the comparison. First, the DRAM figures represent revenue potential per mm² based on spot pricing, whereas the N2/N3 numbers represent estimated wafer processing costs — meaning the two sides of the chart are not directly comparable. Logic manufacturing also carries additional costs not reflected in nominal wafer pricing, including packaging, yield loss and customer‑specific contract terms.

Tom’s Hardware also noted that recent DRAMeXchange spot data aligns closely with Kurnal’s assumptions. On the 21st of September, 16Gb DDR5 eTT averaged $24.80, or roughly $1.55/Gb. At that rate, 1b DRAM with a density of 0.436Gb/mm² would equate to around $0.676/mm², slightly above the chart’s $0.654/mm² estimate.

KitGuru Says: This comparison has sparked plenty of discussion this week. What’s your take on the current DRAM pricing landscape?

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