Micro Center: RAM and SSD Prices Soar to Thousands Despite Full Inventory

The ongoing shortage of memory and storage options is a pressing concern in the tech landscape. Despite this, certain retailers like Micro Center are reportedly well-stocked with these essential components, although consumers are still facing significantly inflated prices.

Micro Center: Shelves Stocked but Prices Soar

Micro Center, a prominent technology retailer in the United States, typically offers competitive pricing on its products. However, the current market dynamics have resulted in RAM and SSD prices becoming an obstacle for many buyers. While there are reports of widespread shortages, some Micro Center locations are filled with high-end RAM and SSD options. Unfortunately, due to ongoing market volatility, these components continue to sell at exorbitantly high prices.

Samsung 9100 PRO SSDs displayed with prices - $2, 719.99 for 8TB and $679.99 for 2TB.

A Reddit user, u/Hell-Diver7, recently shared images from their local Micro Center, showcasing the extensive inventory of premium RAM and SSDs available. Recent data suggests that SSD prices have surged by as much as 200%, with leading manufacturers like Western Digital (WD) and Samsung reportedly raising prices for their NVMe SSD products. As captured in the shared images, a Samsung 9100 PRO SSD is priced at $679 for the 2TB model and leaps to $2, 719 for the 8TB version.

WD Black SN850X and SN8100 NVMe SSDs on display, with a price tag of $1, 272.99 for a high-capacity model. — Image Credit: Reddit

Upon checking the Micro Center website, the pricing information aligns with the images shared online. For instance, the WD_Black SN8100 2TB SSD is available for $699, and the 4TB variant is priced at $1, 272. The cost of RAM is similarly eye-watering, despite the apparent high stock levels. Currently, a 32GB Ripjaws DDR5 RAM kit (single module) is listed at an outrageous $699, while a 64GB kit commands a price of $859.

G. SKILL Ripjaws and Flare X5 DDR5 RAM showcased behind glass.

Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 memory modules with a price tag of $4, 199.99 for the 128GB kit.

The situation worsens with offerings from other brands. For example, a Corsair Vengeance RGB 128GB DDR5-6400 memory kit is priced at an astounding $4, 199. This staggering price even exceeds the current market cost for an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090. When broken down, the cost per gigabyte of DDR5 memory amounts to a staggering $32, a figure many enthusiasts find hard to justify. In contrast, a 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6400 kit is available on Amazon for under $400, highlighting the disparity in pricing between retailers.

Source & Images