TAIPEI – Third-quarter contract DRAM prices fell, down 34% sequentially, with spot prices down 52%, says DRAMeXchange.

The research firm estimates the global DRAM market will reach $23.2 billion in 2008, down 24.7% compared to 2007. Average selling prices will drop 55%, says DRAMeXchange.

Revenues, excluding OEMs, were $6.35 billion in the third quarter, down 2.4% sequentially.

Samsung has reportedly taken a leading 23.9% share of the global market, down 9.9% compared to the prior quarter. Nanya, ranked no. 6, was the only company to have increased revenues significantly, to $350 million, up 31.6%, says the research firm.

Powerchip, in 7th place, had the largest sequential decline, down 16.3% to $254 million.

Qimonda recorded an increase of 2.2%, to $613 million, putting the firm in fifth position. Hynix remains in second, with a market share of 20.5%, followed by Elpida (16%) and Micron Technology (12.3%).

Micron's share is expected to rise dramatically in 2009 with its purchase of Inotera and its licensing deal with Nanya.

DRAMeXchange suggests Samsung was the only DRAM player to record profits in the third quarter.