- The prices of high-capacity DDR5 memory rose sharply, creating new targets for theft
- Thieves in South Korea stole only DDR5 modules, ignoring all other office hardware
- 32 GB DDR5-5600 kits reached around $800 during the end of 2025 price increases
A South Korean mining factory recently experienced a theft that focused exclusively on DDR5 memory modules, leaving all other office supplies untouched.
Reports shared on a local forum claim that an intruder broke the tempered glass side panels of two desktop computers but ignored desk drawers and other office property.
The stolen hardware consisted solely of four Micron DDR5-5600 32GB modules rated at CL46, a product line that the company has withdrawn from the consumer market.
Selective targeting of scarce but valuable memory
Interestingly, no other components were reported missing, indicating that the act was highly selective rather than opportunistic, leading some to speculate that the theft was motivated by collection or resale value rather than immediate functional use.
The market price of high-end DDR5 memory has created conditions where thieves seem willing to bypass other components entirely and focus only on these scarce modules.
DDR5 memory saw extreme price increases in recent months, creating conditions that make it a highly desirable target for thieves.
Recent figures from PCPartPicker claim that 32GB DDR5-5600 modules in 2x32GB kits reached around $800 on average between October and December 2025.
Modules with slightly higher specs, such as DDR5-6000 2x32GB, climbed even further, averaging around $900.
These values far exceed the original retail prices of around $200 in September 2025, making them particularly attractive to informed traders.
Even lower-capacity modules, such as the 16GB DDR5-5200, now command high prices, around $90 to $120 per module. stick, depending on brand and market demand.
Supply constraints and ongoing production bottlenecks for high-performance memory contribute to inflated prices, reinforcing financial incentives for theft.
The increase in value and scarcity of these advanced modules appears to have a direct impact on theft patterns.
The South Korean office heist involved four DDR5-5600 32GB modules, representing a potential total market value of approx. $1,600.
Memory modules’ small size combined with high demand and resale potential make them easier to steal and transport than larger or less valuable hardware.
High-end DDR5 modules are particularly vulnerable to theft, especially when internal components are visible through tempered glass or transparent cases.
Systems known to use DDR5 memory face higher risk because thieves can identify and target them specifically, focusing on the high-value modules inside instead of other components.
That said, organizations may need to increase security measures, including hiding valuable components, limiting physical access, and monitoring high-demand hardware.
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