Estephen,
From the link you posted (doesn't sound like that DDR launch that began last October has been much of a success; let's see -- if Carl comes up with a list of 3000 DDR mobos, and they each sell 10 units per quarter, then the sales would be...? <G>) --
Motherboard distributors attributed the success of Pentium 4 motherboards over DDR ones to three factors. First, Intel dramatically reduced the price of the Pentium 4 at the end of April. Second, OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have begun to add Pentium 4-based products to their next-generation product portfolios. Third, an international DRAM module maker has committed to begin mass production of Rambus modules. These changes now give Rambus architecture an opportunity to become the next-generation mainstream standard in the second half of 2001.
Nevertheless, the window of opportunity for DDR motherboards may continue until the first or even second quarter of 2002 as consumer reception warms. However, motherboard distributors revealed that according to various testing reports, DDR architecture does not perform as well as expected and is unable to attract consumers to replace existing systems. In addition, considering how quickly the price of DDR modules has been falling and that it may continue to plunge to the level of SDRAM modules or even lower, consumers are hesitant about purchasing DDR products. A large number of stores have thus ceased ordering DDR motherboards.
One motherboard wholesaler went as far as to suggest that DDR motherboards are now regarded with pessimism, and Pentium 4 motherboards, in contrast, are gaining an increasingly favorable reception. The source pointed out that it ordered around 200 to 250 DDR motherboards in February but has only sold 10 to 20 of them since then. Motherboard distributors also pointed out that DDR motherboards seem to be much more difficult to sell than Pentium 4 motherboards. |
