Who makes RAM chips for major brands?

RAM is one of the essential components in any modern electronic device, from computers to mobile phones and game consoles. However, behind the many brands of memory modules we find in stores, there is a much more complex and centralized industrial reality than you might imagine. In this article, we will detail who the actual manufacturers of the RAM memory chips used by the major brands are, how the supply chain works, and what the key factors are in the global DRAM market.

Have you ever wondered why so many RAM brands offer very similar products or why certain brands have such low prices? The answer lies in the global structure of the semiconductor industry, where just a handful of technology giants control almost all memory chip production, while the rest are mostly dedicated to assembling and selling memory chips under their own brands. Here you have all the clear and up-to-date information to dispel any doubts about this highly technical but vital topic in the world of computing.

How RAM is made: much more than assembling modules

To understand who is really behind RAM chips, it is essential to differentiate between two types of companies found in the sector:

• Authentic RAM manufacturers: Companies that design, produce, and test both semiconductor chips (the DRAMs themselves) and often complete modules.
• Module assemblers or assemblers: Companies that buy pre-manufactured chips and boards (PCBs) and simply assemble them to create the final module you receive in your computer.

The genuine RAM manufacturing process is very complex and requires large investments in cutting-edge technology and quality controlFrom the selection of the raw material (silicon), its processing, lithography, encapsulation, to functionality and performance testing. Only a small group of manufacturers are capable of carrying out this entire process in their own facilities.

The global oligopoly of DRAM memory chips

The global DRAM memory chip market is controlled by three giants: Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron Technology (the group to which Crucial belongs). These three companies added around 94% of the world market share, a figure that has barely changed in recent years. This concentration means that virtually all RAM modules you find in stores contain chips manufactured by one of these three technological giants.

Samsung Electronics is the industry leader, with a market share of around 44%. Their advances in lithography processes, especially with technologies like EUV (extreme ultraviolet), have allowed them to manufacture next-generation DDR5 memory, which is faster and more energy-efficient. They also excel in the development of modules for specific applications, such as infotainment systems in electric cars or the recent support for the Compute Express Link (CXK) standard.

SK Hynix is ​​in second place with approximately 28% of the global marketThis company has also driven the transition to increasingly miniaturized processes (such as the fourth-generation 1nm 10-alpha node) and has succeeded in manufacturing LPDDR4 and DDR5 DRAM modules that are competitive in speed and efficiency.

In third position we find micron Technology, responsible for about 23% of the marketMicron has been instrumental in the development of 1a and 1-gamma nm DRAM, helping transform memory for data centers and low-power applications such as 5G mobile devices. Its Crucial brand is recognized worldwide, and its entire process, from silicon selection to final module testing, is carried out under strict quality controls.

Where do the best-known brands come from: Manufacturers or mere assemblers?

We often talk about brands like Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill, ADATA, Team Group, Patriot, Ramaxel, or Kimtigo, to name a few. But, Do they actually produce memory chips? The answer to almost all of them is no. With very few exceptions, such as Crucial (Micron), the vast majority Buys pre-manufactured DRAM chips from Samsung, SK Hynix, or Micron and focuses on assembling the modules (mounting the chips on the PCB and adding their label and after-sales service).

Kingston stands out as the largest seller of RAM memory modules in the world, with a market share close to 78% in 2022. However, Kingston doesn't manufacture DRAM chips: it purchases them from major manufacturers and then assembles them in its facilities, under its own quality controls and with its own guarantee. Other brands such as ADATA, Team Group, Apacer, Ramaxel, and Kimtigo operate similarly; some even purchase complete modules from wholesalers and simply relabel the product.

There are also manufacturers that dominate regional markets, especially in China, where brands like Ramaxel, Kimtigo, and POWEV achieve significant market share by assembling generic modules for OEM systems and low-cost equipment.

The real added value of these brands lies in their chip selection, PCB design, quality control, compatibility, and, of course, the support and warranty they offer to the end user.

The RAM manufacturing process: technical keys

To better understand why there are so few DRAM chip manufacturers, let's dig a little deeper into the technology:

• DRAM (Dynamic RAM): It's the most widely used memory in computers and other devices. It consists of a capacitor and a transistor for each data bit. It's volatile, requires periodic refreshing, and its manufacturing requires extremely miniaturized and clean processes.
• SRAM (Static RAM): Faster and more reliable, but much more expensive and with lower capacity. It's primarily used in CPU caches, where speed is critical.
• Non-volatile RAM: New technologies such as ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), MRAM, phase change memory or resistive RAM, are gaining prominence with the rise of IoT and mobile devices, although they are still far from replacing conventional DRAM in personal computers.

Modern DRAM production is characterized by challenges such as: Reduction of nodes (measured in nanometers), use of extreme ultraviolet lithography, and quality controls that eliminate any defective components before they leave the factory. All of this severely limits the number of companies able to invest in the necessary facilities, consolidating the current oligopoly.

The market situation: oversupply, falling prices and new players

In recent years, the RAM market has experienced significant price fluctuations, with significant drops resulting from excess supply in the face of lower-than-usual demand. This has led not only to price drops, but also to some secondary players seeking opaque strategies to compete on price.

For example, recent reports indicate that Some manufacturers are reusing DDR4 chips removed from disused server modules. (especially after the migration to DDR5 in data centers). These chips, after being recycled and reprogrammed, are mounted on "new" modules for sale, mainly by lesser-known manufacturers, many of them Chinese, who have begun selling in Europe at very aggressive prices. Although the main, recognized and serious manufacturers in the sector do not participate in these practices, it is important to keep this in mind when choosing a brand, since prior use of the chips can impact the performance of the modules. reliability and the memory failure rate.

Technological advances in RAM are rapidly spreading through the control of major manufacturers, allowing new factories to quickly adopt more advanced lithography technologies and processes. However, the investment and sophistication required to maintain production at these levels still limit the number of companies capable of participating in the market independently.