When looking for the cheapest RAM to upgrade a computer’s memory, one cannot beat the internet. Stores like Best Buy may have units in stock, and the buyer has the advantage of getting the product today, but these stores have fixed costs that an online store does not have, and the consumer is the one who pays those costs, in the form of prices. From rent and utilities to salaries and warehouse fees, these costs are all part of pricing the product on the shelf, and the buyer pays for the convenience of having the product immediately.
An online memory store, like www.newegg.com or www.tigerdirect.com, does not have these costs, and can offer their products at a much lower price than a conventional store. The trade-off is it may take a few days for the product to get to the buyer. However, when looking for the cheapest RAM, that trade-off can be a blessing. Online stores offer new modules of RAM in different configurations and packaging amounts, to fit every motherboard. For the person really looking for savings, it is possible to find refurbished modules of RAM. These modules have been returned by customers or recycled from leased computers, and are tested to make sure that they work. Parts that are bad are replaced and the unit repackaged for sale at a much lower price. In addition, like new modules, these refurbished units come with warranties; if they do not work, the buyer can get a replacement unit at no cost, other than possible shipping charges.
It is also possible to find cheap RAM on Craigslist, but the disadvantage is that it is usually sold by individuals who have upgraded their own computers, and comes without warranty. For the average consumer looking for the cheapest RAM, it is best to stick with the known, and buy online.