Key Takeaways
1. A man stole desktop GPUs worth 16 million Won (around $11,171) from a store in Gyeonggi Province, Korea.
2. The GPU market is currently struggling, with high prices due to increased memory costs and Nvidia’s supply cuts.
3. Similar GPU thefts have occurred in the past, particularly during the COVID chip shortage and cryptocurrency boom.
4. Rising GPU prices, especially for high-VRAM cards, are likely driving factors behind the recent theft.
5. Consumers are advised to buy GPUs from reputable sellers to avoid scalpers, despite rising prices.
We got Grand Theft GPU before Grand Theft Auto 6. A man has stolen desktop GPUs worth 16 million Won, or around $11,171, from a store in Korea’s Gyeonggi Province. The story, which may seem ordinary at first glance, has impeccable timing, as the GPU market is currently experiencing a rough phase. With inflated memory prices and Nvidia’s alleged supply cut, the prices of desktop GPUs like the RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB and the RTX 5070 Ti have gone considerably above MSRP.
Similar Stories in the Past
We saw similar stories unfold during the COVID era, when lockdowns and industrial shutdowns led to a debilitating chip shortage. The chip shortage made everything, from cars to desktop GPUs, quite expensive. The cryptocurrency price boom also made the situation even worse. And this was the perfect time for criminals to act.
Rising Prices as a Catalyst
Just like the 2021 GPU heist, it is reasonable to assume that the rising prices of GPUs, especially cards with 16 GB or more VRAM, served as the catalyst for the latest GPU theft. These stolen boards will surely end up in the hands of scalpers, who will then sell them on platforms like eBay at significant price premiums.
Buying Tips for Consumers
If you are in the process of buying a GPU, ensure that you get one from a well-established and reputable seller, rather than a random scalper. Sure, GPUs like the RTX 5070 Ti have gone up in price, but cheaper alternatives like the RX 9070 exist.
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