Samsung, Hynix and Micron are “turning away from aggressively competing for market share through price reduction and capacity expansion,” says DRAMeChange’s Avril Wu as reported by Digitimes.

The October price for 4GB DRAM modules was $17.50 compared with $14.50 in September.

The spot market also saw October DRAM price rises with the spot price for 4Gb DDR3 and DDR4 chips rising 17% to 24% from September levels to reach $2.46 and $2.48.

The Big Three are hoping to keep capex flat next year with 2017 bit growth projected at under 20% – an 8 year low.

PC DRAM is under 20% of the mix, says DRAMeXchange, with suppliers focussed on server and mobile.

There is a sense that the Big Three are circling the wagons to repel attempts by Chinese manufacturers to enter the market.