DDR2 should be becoming the mainstream, and prices for DDR2 memory modules are likely to be the same as for DDR1 by the end of the second quarter of this year. Apparently, the slow transition from DDR1 to DDR2 is finally gathering momentum.

Most manufacturers are producing DDR2 at a 30 percent share of total output with 50 percent to be reached by June 2005. According to pricewatch.com, pricing for DDR2 currently is about 275 percent higher than their DDR1 counterparts.

DDR2 is likely to scale from 400 to 800 MHz in the mainstream, with the latter frequency to be introduced in the fourth quarter of this year. While the DDR2-800 version will serve as bridge to the next generation DDR3-800, there will be a limited and higher-priced supply of DDR2-1066 memories early next year, the sources said.

DDR3, on the other hand, should come at a time that has a greater time difference than the difference between DDR1 and DDR2. That technology should not appear until the second half of 2006.