Costco removes RAM from its display PCs to curb theft amid soaring prices

In recent months, the RAM memory has become the center of attention within the PC market. Not only because its price has skyrocketed like few times before, but because this increase is having some rather curious consequences in large stores, where The desktop computers on display are no longer complete for security reasons.

The most striking case is that of Costco, one of the most important retail chains from the United States, which has been forced to change the way it displays its pre-built systems. The reason is neither technical nor aesthetic: it is a direct response to a very specific wave of robberies, focused almost exclusively on the RAM and graphics cards of the PCs on display.

RAM, the new "gold" of hardware due to the DRAM shortage

The origin of the problem lies in the component crisis caused by the strong demand for DRAM memory, fueled in large part by the rise of Artificial Intelligence and increasingly demanding data infrastructures. The situation with RAM is particularly delicate: in certain kits, the price has multiplied by four or five compared to the official ratesto the point of costing more than many modern processors and even some mid-range graphics cards.

This strain on the supply chain isn't limited to the enthusiast segment. Manufacturers and distributors are accepting longer lead times and tighter margins, while on the black market, memory modules are being resold at exorbitant prices. surcharges of hundreds of dollars on top of its sticker priceIt's not an isolated issue: some analysts predict that Demand for DRAM will grow by over 20% annually in the coming yearsThis could prolong the shortage scenario far beyond what many users expected.

In this context, it's no surprise that RAM has become a highly attractive target for thieves. We're talking about small, high-value components, and very easy to resell without too many questions, exactly the type of product that usually fuels informal resale chains.

Precision theft from shelves: PCs emptied in seconds

The visible consequence in stores like Costco has been the rise of a kind of “Precision theft” focused on memory modules and GPUsThe stories circulating on social media and specialized forums leave no room for doubt: there are thieves who approach a display PC, quickly remove the side panel or even break the tempered glass, extract the RAM and leave, leaving the rest of the equipment intact.

In one of the cases cited in international media, an individual came to shatter the tempered glass panel of a high-end tower solely to steal some DDR5 modules, completely ignoring the processor, motherboard, and other expensive components. The "loot" literally fits in a pocket, which complicates surveillance and makes it difficult to detect. The security cameras barely register a blurry figure or, with luck, the reflection of a logo on a nearby screen.

GPUs have also entered this game. Although removing a graphics card usually takes a bit more time and, in many models, the use of a screwdriver, thieves are finding ways to steal them. They do not hesitate to take that risk when they perceive that security is lax.After all, a current graph It can easily reach three or four digits in the grey market.

This methodology has transformed PCs on display in a recurring targetThese are not spectacular heists, but rather small, continuous, almost invisible thefts that force chains to rethink how they showcase the product without incurring constant losses.

Costco's response: empty the display equipment

Faced with this situation, Costco has begun to implement a very clear policy: physically remove the RAM and, in many cases, the GPUs from pre-built computers displayed in their aisles. What the customer sees is often a flashy tower with RGB lighting and good design, but without the most valuable components installed.

According to testimonies from employees and shoppers shared with media outlets such as Wccftech, in various stores of the chain Gaming desktop PCs systematically appear without memory modulesIn more than one photograph taken in the exhibition area, it can be seen that, of the various computers shown, most lack RAM and only a few still have a graphics card.

The explanation given by several users is quite straightforward: Stolen parts are not replaced with new ones Because experience shows that if they are restocked, they disappear again shortly after. Considering the current price of memory and GPUs, the cost of constantly restocking would be prohibitive for stores. That's why many branches have opted to display only the chassis, the motherboard, the lighting, and little else.

This approach is not entirely new. Costco and other large retailers had already implemented similar measures during times of particular stress.This is similar to what happened during the cryptocurrency mining boom, when graphics cards were often kept in the back room or simply not displayed at all. The difference now is that this policy has extended to RAM as well, leaving many display systems practically stripped down.

Costco as a media epicenter: Reddit, Wccftech and real cases

Much of the phenomenon's visibility is due to the community. A post on Reddit has gone viral where A user shows the area of ​​assembled PCs at a Costco. and claims that all the computers are missing RAM modules. The image, shared in a well-known PC enthusiast subforum, has served as the starting point for dozens of similar reports.

Among the responses, several users maintain that, in the stores in their area, The lack of memory and graphics in display equipment is now the normSome point out that graphics cards are only installed in one or two models, precisely those where removing them would involve more time or tools, increasing the risk of the thief being caught.

There are also accounts from people who claim that, at their nearest Costco, They even caught someone stealing components directly from a PC on display. Others comment that the chain has been applying a "minimal visible hardware" policy for some time: the visual impact of the RGB and the case design is preserved, but the most expensive components are kept separate.

Specialized media outlets such as Wccftech have expanded on these stories, adding a relevant nuance: in at least one case, The alleged thief entered the store posing as an Instacart customer.A home delivery platform. This highlights a loophole in the access system, because while Costco requires membership for customers, delivery drivers for these types of services can enter without being members, opening an additional door for those seeking to take advantage of the flow of people to go unnoticed.

The combination of these experiences has reinforced the idea that These are not isolated incidents, but a widespread problem by a large part of the store network, at least in the United States. The debate within the community now revolves around how long these measures will remain in place and whether other chains will eventually copy the strategy.

A market haunted by old ghosts: from crypto mining to AI

For many hardware enthusiasts, the current situation inevitably evokes the memory of the most intense stage of cryptocurrency miningSo it wasn't so much a manufacturing problem as a problem of overwhelming demand: miners buying up entire batches of GPUs, stores out of stock, and skyrocketing prices that left gamers in the background.

Now the context has changed, but the feeling is similar. explosion of AI projects and high-performance data centers This has pushed the demand for DRAM to levels that production hasn't been able to match quickly enough. What was once a bottleneck almost exclusively linked to graphics cards has now extended to RAM, affecting both DDR5 modules and, indirectly, DDR4.

The lack of sufficient DDR5 stock has led many users to reconsider your purchases and opt for DDR4 compatible platforms, older but still valid for a large part of the catalog of games and applications. This massive shift has had an obvious side effect: Demand for DDR4 has skyrocketed And with it, of course, comes its price.

The paradox is that, in some cases, DDR4 memory has increased in percentage even more than DDR5Although in absolute terms it remains cheaper, for many people it's still more affordable to pay for a DDR4 kit, which, despite the price increase, still costs approximately half as much as its DDR5 equivalent. In practice, this has positioned older platforms as a kind of "safety valve" for those who need to upgrade or build a new PC without breaking the bank.

Meanwhile, both RAM and GPUs remain as the two most expensive components of a modern computerespecially at the high end of the range. When you combine rising prices, scarcity, and ease of resale, the result is a perfect environment for a small parallel economy based on hardware theft to emerge.

Impact on the shopping experience and potential effects in Europe

For the average consumer, these measures have an immediate consequence: It's becoming increasingly difficult to see a display PC actually working as it's sold.What used to allow you to get an idea of ​​performance, noise levels or temperatures in a real-world usage environment is now reduced to observing the external design and little else.

Those who go to a large store looking for a computer ready for gaming or work often find themselves facing equipment that's almost like a modelThe tower is lit up, the colorful lights do their job as a visual draw, but the interior doesn't reflect what will later arrive in the sealed box. This forces you to rely more on the printed specifications and the attention of the store staff than on your own direct experience.

In Europe and Spain the situation has not yet reached the same level of public awareness, but The context of rising prices and scarcity is very similarLarge electronics chains operating in Europe have already experienced component thefts in the past, especially during periods of sharp GPU price increases, so it wouldn't be surprising if some adopt [a new strategy/method]. strategies similar to those of Costco if the incidents increase.

Smaller specialty stores, especially those focused on gaming or custom builds, usually have more direct control over the exposed material And in many cases, they show equipment powered on only during specific hours or under supervision. Even so, the increasing value of components like RAM or graphics cards is forcing a rethink of basic security measures, from closed display cases to anchoring systems or exhibiting dummy units.

For the Spanish user who is thinking about upgrading their PC, this scenario translates into greater uncertainty when it comes to finding truly competitive offers and the need to compare more carefully. Sometimes, the typical "bargain" of a pre-built system can be influenced by this reality: the store protects its most expensive components and relies on sales volume to cover a much more volatile cost environment.

The picture painted by these cases at Costco reflects To what extent have RAM and graphics cards become key and vulnerable components? of the PC ecosystem. Between the pressure of AI demand, insufficient stock, and the profitability offered by illicit resale, major retailers have opted to sacrifice part of the shopping experience to reduce losses. Although the focus is currently on the United States, the European market shares the same supply and demand fundamentals, so it wouldn't be surprising to see similar measures if prices remain tight and theft incidents become more widespread.

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Alberto Navarro

I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.

If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.