Scrap RAM, aka DIMMS or SIMMS, are a valuable form of Recyclable Computer Scrap. The value of scrap RAM comes from the small percentage of precious metal used to make it’s compacted components. Precious metals include palladium, gold, and silver.
(If the RAM is fully functioning, then it is worth much more as used, not scrap)
Also known as Scrap Memory, Scrap RAM has either Gold Fingers or Tin Fingers. (The grey-colored tin fingers are not made of silver; despite this, people still call them silver fingers.)
Never cut the gold fingers off of your scrap RAM. Unless you plan on refining the whole RAM stick yourself, you will be doing yourself a disservice. The value of the scrap computer memory gold will drop significantly once you remove the fingers, as potentials buyers can not easily identify what type of electronic scrap you are selling.
There are several online vendors, and possibly vendors in your area, that specialize in buying scrap memory. Larger precious metal smelters/refiners will show interest in buying your material if you happen to have a few dozen pounds.
If you have a smaller quantity of computer RAM scrap (between 0-30 lbs) then your best chanced for getting a fair market price will be selling on eBay.
Scrap RAM can be subdivided into three main types: Gold Fingered RAM, Tin/Silver Fingered RAM, and RAMBUS/Metal Covered RAM. When selling on eBay, you should weigh these three types of memory separately. (It’s ok to list them in the same auction, but it is crucial to separate and weigh each type of scrap memory separately.) Correctly sorting and weighing you scrap RAM is KEY in getting a great price on eBay.
When listing your scrap ram, always include the total weight in pounds, along with the words “Scrap Memory RAM Gold PM Recovery” to insure it will show up on a number of auction searches. The weights of your individual lots should be measured to at least once decimal point.
These are three pictures of the different types of scrap. They are RAM with Gold Fingers, Silver/Tin Fingers, and Metal Cover (RAMBUS).
For more detailed guides, scrap metal business tips, and money-making recycling techniques check out the Scrapper’s Handbook. Make cash from Scrap!
If you have any comments please share here, or add your voice to our Scrapper’s Forum.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks. I have been trying to figure out what to do with the gold fingered RAM I have. I do not have much. Unfortunately I have not been taking advantage of this until no. It will be a while before I get to 30 lbs.
You don’t ned to wait until you have 30 pounds, but like most things, higher volume means better pricing. Also, I’m glad to hear back from you!
If you cut the “fingers” off of the gold-plated ram sticks (or other circuit boards), you can make about $50 a pound on the fingers alone. (You could try selling them to online refiners such as PreciousMetalsReclaiming.com [Precious Metals Reclaiming Service]), or you could sell them on an online auction site.
Thanks for your comment!
Just curious to know about how much value is it per ram or should I say per lbs on these rams? I believe I have 70lbs of rams along with some printed circuit boards I’m trying to sell for profit. Please give me an estimated profit return so that I might consider on selling it other than to smelt it.
Could you tell me what kind of printed circuit boards (please)?
Thanks for your time!
God bless!
Just saw your post on reddit, good job! We have hundreds of boxes of old computer parts sitting in a warehouse – will pass on the good news.
It is good to have a better idea of what to do with the old RAM that is not useful any more. It would be nice to know what kind of market does exist for RAM that is still useful. I have devices that range from the earliest type of RAM to the more modern types.
You could try selling to PreciousMetalsReclaiming.com (Precious Metals Reclaiming Services).
Or you could try a different refiner.
Or you could try online auction sites such as Etsy.com (just as one example).
Thanks for your comment!
Please can you tell us if the fingers are gold or gold plated, that is, the gold type.
They are just plated. If they were solid gold fingers then a broken computer would be worth ~$10k!
They’re gold plated. You can make somewhere (generally) between 30 and 100 dollars a pound for gold-plated pins. Let me put it this way–I recently sent a package weighing .10 pounds of gold-plated materials to a company titled Precious Metals Reclaiming Service (you can find them, I believe, at PreciousMetalsReclaiming.com) and they are supposed to send me a $3.00 check.
Unfortunately, I overdid it on the postage, and so I end up paying more for postage than I make from the deal.
However, thankfully I have just opened a Stamps.com account, and have therefore received 25$ worth in free postage; so all’s not bad!
Thanks for your comment!
I recently tore apart the aluminum cases on the side of a scrap satelite dish, and i got to the “chips” inside, in which im not to familuar with. I was curious after finding your awesome site and I wanted some questions answered. For instance the one chip didnt have gold fingers, but rather the whole board except maybe 20% was plated. I wanted to know how much I would need to make some legit money. I never learned how to use Ebay but I want to I really dont have Internet other than on my phone and at work. I guess you could say I am looking for some guidance in this department as I am otherwise an avid scrapper when it comes to your cars,copper, aluminum, heavy melt , appliances and so on and so forth. Your reply is much appreciated and anticipated. Thank you.
I have very little experience with the gold plated chips in satellite receivers, but I can tell you that eBay would be a good market to sell them.
I have very little experience with the gold plated chips in satellite receivers, but I can tell you that eBay would be a good market to sell them, but couldn’t say much more.
Gold is at about 1,380 dollars an ounce (I believe), so it doesn’t take ALL THAT MUCH of these materials before you could make some profit.
Thanks for your comment!