SEPT. 29–SAN JOSE, Calif.–The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) says that sales of semiconductor chips reached $13.4 billion in August, up from $12.9 billion the previous month, making it the sixth consecutive monthly increase.

Year-over-year revenue increased 12.5 percent from $11.9 billion recorded in the same period a year earlier.

“With the exception of the peak year of 2000, this is the strongest monthly increase in August since 1990,” SIA President George Scalise said in a statement. Sales in the Asia-Pacific region grew 6.4 percent, while the increase in Japan was just 1.6 percent. Europe posted an increase of 3.8 percent, and the Americas recorded a 2.5 percent increase over July.

The boost indicates increasing demand for computers and wireless and consumer gear, the SIA said. Sales of microprocessors were up 7.8 percent, and dynamic random access memory devices rose 11 percent since July. PC demand was boosted by seasonal purchases by school goers and increased buying by businesses.

Chips used in consumer devices such as digital video players and cameras rose by 5.3 percent, while flash memory chips were up 6.9 percent since July. The SIA said demand for digital signal processors used in wireless devices was revived, after problems relating to inventories in Asia were resolved. The wireless sector posted a 4.7 percent growth.