Thieves smash PCs to steal DDR5 memory in South Korea

Burglars targeted a design office in South Korea, smashing tempered-glass PCs to steal high-end DDR5 memory amid soaring prices. The theft highlights the extreme demand for the component, now costing nearly four times its original price. High-capacity DDR5 modules are approaching $1000 each, making them an attractive target for criminals.

In a brazen incident, thieves broke into a South Korean design office specifically to pilfer DDR5 memory modules from high-end PCs. The culprits smashed the tempered-glass cases of the computers to access the valuable hardware, underscoring the desperation driven by the ongoing memory shortage.

DDR5 RAM prices have skyrocketed due to supply constraints, reaching nearly four times their initial cost. High-capacity variants are now nearing $1000 per module, transforming what was once standard computer gear into a lucrative commodity on the black market.

This theft comes as the global semiconductor industry grapples with production bottlenecks, exacerbating costs for consumers and businesses alike. The event raises concerns about the security of tech facilities in regions like South Korea, a hub for electronics design and manufacturing. While details on the exact value stolen or the office's identity remain limited, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how market dynamics can fuel criminal activity in the tech sector.

Experts suggest that until supply stabilizes, such targeted thefts may become more common, prompting calls for enhanced physical security in data centers and design labs.

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Shocked customers at a PC store gaze at tripled RAM and SSD prices amid AI shortage, with server imagery in background.
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Ram and memory prices surge due to ai shortage

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A shortage of ram and flash memory chips, driven by the ai boom, has caused prices to triple in just three months, making it a poor time to build or upgrade pcs. While gpu prices have stabilized, the rising costs affect ssds and both ddr4 and ddr5 kits, with higher-capacity options hit hardest. Manufacturers like lenovo are stockpiling components to mitigate impacts.

DDR5 RAM on Amazon now costs over twice as much as four months ago, even in flash deals. Samsung reports similar price doublings for its RAM products. Industry watchers warn that further increases lie ahead.

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Major memory manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are reporting record profits due to surging demand for RAM fueled by the AI industry. Prices for consumer RAM have more than quadrupled in recent months, with analysts predicting further increases in 2026. This boom stems from competition for limited supplies and shifts in production toward AI-specific memory types.

During its Q1 2026 earnings call, HP executives revealed that RAM now represents 35 percent of the company's PC costs, up from 15 to 18 percent last quarter. The surge is attributed to AI-driven demand straining memory supplies. HP anticipates further price volatility and plans to raise PC prices in response.

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Experts are cautioning that personal computer prices may increase further in 2026 because of soaring RAM costs. Consumers considering a new PC purchase are advised to act quickly. This warning comes from a recent TechRadar report.

Raspberry Pi prices have surged to their highest levels ever due to escalating memory costs driven by AI demands. This increase is making the popular hobby computers unaffordable for schools and educational programs worldwide. The development highlights the unintended consequences of the AI boom on accessible technology.

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Prices of professional-grade SD cards and hard drives have surged in Hong Kong, with photographer Jacky Lau Kin-sang finding high-capacity cards costing up to HK$3,000 each—three times expected. A 16TB hard disk model jumped from HK$1,880 to HK$3,880. Experts warn the high prices will persist until year-end.

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