Operating system has become one of the key drivers for demand for DRAM, and has experienced a boost of almost continuously since the introduction of Windows 95 in 1994 – when we asked to upgrade our computers from 4 MB to 8 MB of DRAM simple.

ZoomIHS now say that the trend of rapidly growing DRAM demand will probably end up as a lean operating system does not call for a rapid increase again.

“The growth rate dynamic random access memory content on a personal computer is set for a historic decline, with an average annual increase in the number of DRAM for each new PC is not expected to exceed 35% after 2012, down from 48% on average during the last quarter century, “said IHS. “After climbing 38% in 2009 and 25% in 2010, the average DRAM content per PC will rise 30% in 2011 and 35% in 2012,” IHS noted. “In 2012, however, would represent the last high point for growth, with annual growth of number of DRAM content in subsequent years is expected to be significantly less than 35%.” IHS said that the growth of DRAM per PC was 48% between 1985 and 2009 and ranged 40-45% in the early 2000s.

Market research company emphasizes that, historically, each new version of Windows requires more memory, but the pattern is broken with Windows 7: “From the release of Windows 7 in 2009 until a year later, the DRAM content per PC growth is really down 13% – auguring that kind of a lower expansion rate may be seen in the years ahead. “

Microsoft has said that Windows 8 will not have the hardware requirements that exceed the requirements of Windows 7. Instead of operating systems, it appears that the memory driver will move to more computing devices and applications, which will include more applications running at the same time as well as increased use of multimedia.

“As the appetite for digital data continues to swell among consumers, so too will the memory requirements needed to feed the ravening beast,” said IHS.

source : www.tomshardware.com