New (old) idea - make your own DDR5 sticks.

[BitBangBro]

Admittedly guys did this to work around ultra-expensive DDR5 UDIMM modules ( through less expensive SO-DIMMS + extra PCB),
so cost savings are modest.
But it is still great for making one's own custom RAM.

https://videocardz.com/newz/solder-it-yourself-ddr5-russian-modders-pitch-the-idea-of-making-their-own-ram

[squadchannel]

I'm just designing a 128MB EDO SO-DIMM.

soldering 16x BGAs? What a pain!

[BitBangBro]

EDO SO-DIMM ?
As in Extended Data Out ?

There were no BGAs at the time of ordinary asynchrononus DRAMs AFAIK...
EDIT: Goddamn.
Apparently, unicorns do exist - 128Mbit chips in BGA-89... 🙄

[Haenk]

Admittedly guys did this to work around ultra-expensive DDR5 UDIMM modules ( through less expensive SO-DIMMS + extra PCB),
so cost savings are modest.
But it is still great for making one's own custom RAM.

Honestly, that`s clever and stupid at the same time. Considering the time and skill and equipment needed, it`s a proof-of-concept.
I suggest to just wait a bit, until that KI market crashes. Can`t be a long waiting time.
(Oh, and I`m considering selling my used DDR4 modules now...)

[squadchannel]

EDO SO-DIMM ?
As in Extended Data Out ?

There were no BGAs at the time of ordinary asynchrononus DRAMs AFAIK...
EDIT: Goddamn.
Apparently, unicorns do exist - 128Mbit chips in BGA-89... 🙄

 

all modern chips is BGA packages, so there's no need to make your own. it's a hassle.
besides, unless running heavy games, probably won't need more memory. neither KiCad nor Fusion 360 use that much memory.
SO-DIMM to DIMM adapters also exist.
time will solve it.

MOD:
ISSI still made 16Mbit FPM/EDO memory. WHAT!?
what is it used for.....?

https://www.issi.com/US/product-dram-EDO-FPM.shtml
IS41LV16100D
IS41LV16105D

[BitBangBro]

SO-DIMM to DIMM adapters also exist.
time will solve it.

Adapters do exist, but at DDR5 speed and signal requirements, they royally screw up signal quality and hamper the speeds.
There is a reason why some motherboards have only 2 UDIMM slots and it often isn't the price - even jsut having extra pin for empty DIMM screws up line integrity, causes additional signal reflections etc.
There is also a reason why higher-end DIMM PCBs have 16 layers.

ALso, some DIMMs and their version have had insanely high prices, that make DIY option perfectly viable.
And some viable options simply aren't there.
Take ECC UDIMMs, for example.
Essentially, only differnece is fifth DRAM ship per group.
SO one would expect to pay less than 20% more for ECC version, all else being equal.
And yet, they are often 2x the price or more. And there is no high-speed option for those, like 7200 MHz or more.
Same and even more pronounced problem for ECC RDIMMs.

[Haenk]

SO one would expect to pay less than 20% more for ECC version, all else being equal.
And yet, they are often 2x the price or more.

That`s simply because they can get away with it.
Imagine as a company buying your new server, plus software, plus installation, plus support contract for a 5-digit amount of real money.
Only to notice that if you buy the cheap aftermarket RAM kit you void the support contract. So you happily pay 3 times the usual amount for an "original" HP/DELL kit (which means "a sticker on a Samsung module"), just to have your support contract in place.

[BitBangBro]

That`s simply because they can get away with it.

Which is EXACTLY my point.
More options that the customer has, less room for extortion.

Imagine as a company buying your new server, plus software, plus installation, plus support contract for a 5-digit amount of real money.
Only to notice that if you buy the cheap aftermarket RAM kit you void the support contract. So you happily pay 3 times the usual amount for an "original" HP/DELL kit (which means "a sticker on a Samsung module"), just to have your support contract in place.

Why do I have to imagine that ? Big datacenters have plenty of AI oomph to hallucinate out whatever they need.
I'm talking about mere mortals and maybe even small companies with a DIY or do-it-in-house knack.

[SiliconWizard]

Do you have evidence that SODIMM sticks or even bare RAM chips will be any cheaper (for low quantities) than UDIMM modules?