The global RAM shortage has reached such extreme levels that memory modules are now becoming targets for theft—sometimes even more valuable than the PCs they are installed in. In a recent incident, a thief broke into an office and stole only the RAM sticks from a desktop system, leaving the rest of the machine behind.
As memory prices surge to unprecedented highs, individual RAM modules are commanding staggering valuations. High-capacity sticks—such as 256 GB modules—are now retailing for thousands of dollars, driven largely by tight DRAM supply and relentless demand from AI, data centers, and enterprise workloads. Consumer markets are feeling the pinch most acutely, with RAM price increases far outpacing those of other PC components.
The incident, reported on a Korean public forum, involved a thief who smashed the tempered glass side panel of a PC case and removed four 32 GB Micron memory modules. According to the victim, the company has an insurance liability contract covering the system. However, the insurer is struggling to compensate for the loss due to the sharp escalation in current RAM replacement costs.
From a criminal’s perspective, the move was calculated. Stealing a full PC would have been bulky and difficult to resell, while memory modules are compact, high-value, and easy to move discreetly. Commenters on the forum noted that the thief appeared well aware of current RAM market dynamics.
The episode highlights how distorted the memory market has become. In an exclusive interaction, Micron indicated that DRAM shortages are expected to persist well beyond 2028, despite heavy investments in new fabrication facilities. The situation recalls past GPU shortages, when graphics cards became prime theft targets. If supply pressures continue, RAM thefts may become an uncomfortable new reality.
