With customers pushing the DDR3 generation, memory packaging and testing firms Powertech Technology (PTI), Formosa Advanced Technologies Company (FATC) and Walton Advanced Engineering all estimate DDR3 will contribute 90% to their overall DRAM shipments at the end of 2010, up from 40-50% at end-2009, according to company sources.

PTI chairman DK Tsai said at the company's recent investors conference that capex for 2010 is likely to reach NT$10 billion (US$310.7 million), compared to NT$7 billion allocated for 2009. PTI will step up investment in high-speed testers for DDR3 chips and expand NAND flash chip capacity.

FATC recently said its capex for 2010 will double from this year's NT$2 billion. Spending for 2010 will mainly focus on purchases of high-speed testers, and capacity expansion for memory packaging and LED chips .

As the major backend supplier for Nanya Technology, FATC began to install new high-speed testers for DDR3 chips in September, according to market watchers.

Walton's capex for 2010 is estimated at NT$3 billion, compared to around NT$2 billion for 2009, according to the company in previous reports. Walton said it

will add 10 more sets of high-speed testers, which do not include 5593 ones, for a total of 17 sets by the end of 2010.

DDR3 is forecast to account for 90% of Walton's overall DRAM revenues at the end of 2010, up from 20-30% at present, the company said in reports.

By: DocMemory
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