September 25, 2026, 3:49 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
When clearing out old technology during an office move, people often don’t think much about its value. Monitors, printers, or cables frequently end up directly in electronic waste. In Norway, however, this could have been a stroke of luck for one man. In a basement filled with discarded computer equipment, he discovered several memory sticks and processors. What others apparently no longer needed could now prove surprisingly valuable.
Employee Discovers Hardware in Electronic Waste
The Reddit user “Traditional_Total_27” reports that his employer had only recently moved into the office building. In the basement, there was a large container for electronic waste, apparently used by several companies in the building. Initially, he noticed a still-packaged RAM stick with 32 gigabytes of memory. After his boss allowed him to take the hardware, he searched more thoroughly for additional components.
It didn’t stop with the single memory stick. A published photo shows a total of twelve RAM sticks and five processors. According to the finder’s assessment, the components might have come from a company that previously operated in the building.
Why the hardware was discarded is unknown. It also remains unclear in what condition all the components are. Nevertheless, the find could have considerable value.
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AI Boom Drives Memory Prices Up
Random access memory, also known as RAM, holds data that running programs need to access quickly. These memory modules have recently become significantly more expensive. The global boom around artificial intelligence is considered the reason. Large data centers require enormous amounts of fast memory chips. This increases demand, while manufacturers struggle to keep up. This also affects the market for conventional computer hardware.
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Not only the memory sticks are of interest. The found processors could also be highly valuable. Processors handle the computing tasks of a computer and are considered its central component.
According to the finder, four of the five processors are of the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X type. The new price of such a model is around 300 euros. For four units, this amounts to about 1,200 euros. However, the actual value of used hardware from electronic waste can only be determined after assessing its condition.
Girlfriend to Benefit from the Find
The man has already tested some of the found components. According to him, several of the parts work. Therefore, he plans to upgrade his girlfriend’s computer with the hardware.
Whether the story happened exactly as described cannot be verified. Accordingly, reactions on Reddit vary. While some users celebrate the find, others express doubts. The finder himself seems convinced and plans to regularly check the electronic waste container in the future.