Stores are struggling to keep their display units with RAM and GPUs installed as the theft cases continue to rise.
Costco Removes RAM Modules and GPUs from PC Builds Displayed on Shelves in a Response to Curb Thefts
The current RAM shortages have gone so bad that now some have started stealing RAM modules, leaving the rest of the system as it is. We saw one such case two weeks ago, where a thief stole just the DDR5 RAM modules from a PC by breaking the tempered glass panel of the case. The rest of the hardware remained untouched, as the only thing the thief was interested in was the RAM modules.
It's unlikely that such incidents are rare these days, given that the RAM modules are selling for 4x-5x higher prices. Not surprisingly, another such incident has surfaced on Reddit, where a retailer has been facing such cases regularly. Costco, which sells a wide variety of products, is reportedly witnessing RAM thefts from its display units. The store has reportedly started removing the RAM modules from the displayed PC builds on the shelves to curb theft incidents.
Moreover, it has also started to remove the GPUs from the units, as removing the GPU from the PCs is as easy as removing a RAM module. A user in the thread just confirmed the news, as reportedly, a Costco store caught a RAM thief on camera. We don't know how many similar incidents have happened at this Costco store, but it's easier for thieves to steal from such large stores. Costco stores do require a membership, but apparently, this thief was an Instacart shopper and therefore didn't need a membership to get inside the store.
Some users are reporting that Costco once started to put the GPUs at the back rather than deploy them in the display units for the same reason, and now it is also keeping RAM modules away from thieves' reach. Both RAM and GPUs are the most expensive parts in modern PC builds, easily selling for several hundred dollars above their official price tags. While the majority of users are now waiting for the prices to stabilize, some have resorted to theft.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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