Everyone is talking about shortages of RAM and SSDs, yet retailers’ stock is plentiful. Gamers complain about the high prices and hope they will drop soon.
Anyone looking to buy RAM or an SSD is confronted with high prices. There are ongoing discussions about massive shortages regarding these products.
A look at the stock of a retailer shows a different picture. Various images show the shelves of Micro Center, a US chain, filled to the brim with SSDs and RAM. There is certainly no talk of “shortages” here.
On Reddit, a user shared several pictures from their local “Micro Center” store. The images clearly show that the shelves and storage areas are filled to the brim with RAM and SSDs. The user wrote the following about their post:
It’s quite empty here, but yes, it’s amazing that there’s talk of a shortage when the shelves are full to the brim. Hang in there everyone; I hope the prices will drop here soon. RAM is generally getting a bit cheaper.
Not only retailers are responsible for high prices in the market
Who is responsible for the high prices? It should be noted that there are several factors contributing to the high prices and not just Micro Center alone is responsible:
- Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix produce the vast majority of DRAM chips worldwide. They control the price through supply: if they cut production, the purchasing prices for RAM module manufacturers (like Corsair, Kingston) increase dramatically. Additionally, raw material costs (such as for silicon) can rise or fall depending on the global situation.
- Module manufacturers (assemblers): They buy the chips and build the modules. If their purchasing costs for chips rise, they must increase prices to avoid losses. They then pass these prices on as wholesale prices to retailers.
- Retailers like Micro Center pass these increased wholesale prices on to the end customers, who are people looking to upgrade their gaming PCs.
However, some users criticize that this is only one side of the coin: Presumably, some users speculate (via Reddit.com) that many retailers bought their inventory before the price increases, so they would only be increasing their profit margin. However, this accusation cannot truly be verified and neither confirmed nor denied.
RAM has been getting more expensive for months, but one user seems to have gotten lucky: They ordered a RAM stick and received a whole box instead. However, there is currently no important evidence to truly substantiate their purchase: User pays 280 Euros for RAM, accidentally receives a box with RAM worth much more
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