⚖️ DRAM vs SOXX Comparison · Free & No Signup

DRAM vs SOXX: Memory Pure-Play vs the Whole Chip Industry

DRAM bets on memory chips specifically. SOXX owns the broad semiconductor supply chain, including the chip designers and equipment makers DRAM leaves out.

💰 SOXX is cheaper 🔬 Compare top 10 holdings → 💡 Plain-English verdict

🤝 BFF Take

SOXX Is the Diversified Default at Half the Cost. DRAM Is the Memory Thesis.

DRAM and SOXX both sit in semiconductors, but they are not the same bet. SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) holds about 30 US-listed chip companies across the whole supply chain: Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD, Qualcomm, and memory names like Micron. It charges 0.35% and has traded since 2001. DRAM (Roundhill Memory ETF) holds only memory chip makers: Micron, SK Hynix, Samsung, and SanDisk. It launched in 2024 and charges 0.75%, more than double SOXX. The case for DRAM is the AI memory thesis: data center GPUs need High Bandwidth Memory, and only a few companies make it at scale. The case for SOXX is diversification across the entire chip industry at less than half the cost. For broad semiconductor exposure, SOXX is the default. DRAM is a concentrated bet on the memory cycle specifically, and memory is one of the most boom-and-bust corners of the sector.

📋 Quick Takeaways

🧠SOXX owns the full chip supply chain (Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD, Micron). DRAM owns memory companies only: Micron, SK Hynix, Samsung, SanDisk.

💰DRAM charges 0.75% vs SOXX at 0.35%. On $10,000 that is $75 a year vs $35, more than double for a narrower bet.

📈Memory is more cyclical than chips broadly. DRAM can surge in a memory upcycle and fall harder when oversupply hits.

📊 Data-Based Take: SOXX has the lower fee

Whether the lower-cost fund suits your situation depends on your existing holdings, account type, tax situation, and how you use each fund. This is a cost comparison, not a personalized recommendation.

✓ Reviewed by a CFA® Charterholder · Data updated Jun 2026 · Educational only, not financial advice

DRAM

Roundhill Memory ETF

Expense Ratio

0.75%

1-Year Return

+92.0%

AUM

$13B

Holdings

SOXX

iShares Semiconductor ETF

Expense Ratio

0.35% ✓

1-Year Return

+167.0%

AUM

$29.6B

Holdings

📋 DRAM vs SOXX — Key Facts Side by Side

Metric	DRAM	SOXX
Fund Name	Roundhill Memory ETF	iShares Semiconductor ETF
Issuer	Roundhill	iShares
Tracks Index	Solactive Memory Chip	ICE Semiconductor
Expense Ratio	0.75%	0.35% ✓
Cost per $10K/yr	$75.00	$35.00
AUM	$13B	$29.6B
Holdings	25	30
Inception	2024	2001
1-Year Return	+92.00%	+166.96%
3-Year Return	—	+56.31%
5-Year Return	—	+31.65%
Avg Bid-Ask Spread	0.10%	0.01%

Expense ratio, AUM, and returns updated May 25, 2026 from ETF BFF database. Returns are annualised. Not investment advice.

📊 DRAM vs SOXX — Annualised Returns

Annualised returns (trailing, price-based). Past performance does not guarantee future results.

🎯 Should You Buy DRAM or SOXX?

Choose if...

DRAM

You already use Roundhill and prefer staying within their fund family

Choose if...

SOXX

You want the lowest fees — saves ~$40/yr per $10K vs DRAM
You already use iShares and prefer staying within their fund family

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❓ DRAM vs SOXX — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between DRAM and SOXX?

DRAM (Roundhill Memory ETF) holds only memory chip companies: Micron, SK Hynix, Samsung, and SanDisk/Western Digital. SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) holds about 30 US-listed semiconductor companies across the whole supply chain, including chip designers (Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, Qualcomm) and memory names like Micron. DRAM is a narrow, memory-only bet. SOXX is broad semiconductor exposure. DRAM charges 0.75%; SOXX charges 0.35%.

Is DRAM riskier than SOXX?

Yes, in two ways. First, concentration: DRAM holds only memory companies, so it has no diversification into chip design or equipment. Second, cyclicality: the memory market is one of the most boom-and-bust corners of semiconductors. Memory prices collapse during oversupply and spike during shortages, which makes DRAM more volatile than a broad fund like SOXX that spreads exposure across the whole industry. DRAM also launched in 2024, so it has a very short track record. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Does SOXX hold memory chip companies?

Yes. SOXX includes Micron Technology and has some exposure to other memory names, but memory is a minority of the fund. SOXX is dominated by chip designers like Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD, and Qualcomm. If you specifically want memory exposure concentrated, DRAM does that. If you want memory as one part of broad chip exposure, SOXX already covers it.

Why is DRAM more expensive than SOXX?

DRAM charges 0.75% because it is a newer, smaller, specialized thematic fund. Niche thematic ETFs typically cost more than broad sector funds because they have less in assets to spread costs across and target a specific strategy. SOXX, at 0.35% with about $38B in assets, benefits from scale. On a $10,000 position, the gap is $75 a year for DRAM versus $35 for SOXX.

Can I hold DRAM and SOXX together?

You can, but understand the overlap. SOXX already holds Micron and some memory exposure. Adding DRAM on top concentrates your portfolio further into memory chips specifically, which is an intentional overweight rather than added diversification. Some investors do this deliberately to tilt toward the AI memory theme. It is a conviction bet, not a way to spread risk.

New to ETF investing? See answers to the most common ETF questions →

📄 DRAM & SOXX Fact Sheets

DRAM Fact Sheet→ SOXX Fact Sheet→

ℹ️ Data shown is for educational purposes and may not reflect the most current figures. Returns are trailing price-based and exclude dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. ETF BFF is not a licensed financial advisor — this is not personalized financial advice.