RAM-D (mix and damaged RAM) Grade buying scrap price

Learn more about: Ohata RAM Scrap Classification Guide | RAM-S, RAM-A, RAM-B, RAM-C & RAM-D

Introduction, Construction, Components, and Recycling Value

RAM-D Grade includes recognizable RAM-format circuit boards with no memory chips or very few installed components. This category may include certain test boards, diagnostic modules, dummy modules, and other low-component boards manufactured in DIMM, SO-DIMM, or similar memory-module formats.

These boards normally retain the long, narrow shape and edge connector associated with computer memory. However, unlike populated RAM, they contain little or no semiconductor memory. Some may have only a small identification component, resistor, capacitor, or diagnostic circuit attached.

A typical RAM-D board may contain:

• A fiberglass and epoxy printed circuit board

• Copper tracks and internal conductive layers

• Plated edge contacts

• Solder pads and through-holes

• A small number of passive or diagnostic components

• Printed model, test, or identification markings

The edge contacts may contain a thin plated finish over nickel and copper. The PCB also contains copper within its tracks and internal layers. Small quantities of tin, silver, nickel, or other metals may be present depending on the board’s construction and production period.

RAM-D generally has a lower recoverable-material concentration than populated memory because most or all memory chips are absent. Its classification and buying value are based on the complete board’s construction, component population, connector finish, condition, and processing requirements. The visible color of the contacts, the board’s age, or printed capacity markings do not determine the grade by themselves.

Ohata RAM-D Grade Classification and Identification Guide

RAM-D Grade is identified by physical construction rather than brand, model, capacity, speed, or DDR generation. Different manufacturers and board formats may receive the same grade when they meet the RAM-D requirements.

A qualifying RAM-D board will generally have the following characteristics:

1. Recognizable RAM-format construction

   The board should have the shape, edge connector, notch position, and general dimensions associated with a DIMM, SO-DIMM, or another recognizable memory-module format.

2. No memory chips or very few components

   The board should contain no memory ICs or only a small number of diagnostic, identification, or passive components. A normally populated memory module belongs in another RAM grade.

3. Identifiable test, diagnostic, or dummy construction

   Printed markings, connector layout, test points, or a minimal component arrangement may indicate that the item was manufactured as a test board, diagnostic module, laboratory module, or dummy memory board.

4. Both sides considered during inspection

   Some RAM-D boards may appear blank on one side but contain components on the reverse. Final classification considers the complete board rather than one photograph or surface.

5. Edge connector retained

   The contact section should remain attached and recognizable. Boards with extensively cut, removed, or destroyed connector sections may require a different classification or may be rejected.

6. Acceptable physical condition

   Light dust, labels, minor scratches, and ordinary handling wear may be acceptable. Severe breakage, burning, corrosion, chemical residue, or substantial contamination may affect acceptance.

A board does not qualify for a higher RAM grade simply because it has gold-colored contacts or a newer DDR-style format. Populated server, desktop, or laptop memory should be evaluated according to its construction and condition under RAM-S, RAM-A, RAM-B, or RAM-C Grade.

Likewise, an older test board is not automatically more valuable than a newer diagnostic board. Final classification depends on the actual material received.

Recoverable Materials, Buying Standards, and Handling

RAM-D boards may contain recoverable copper, nickel, tin, small quantities of silver, and thin contact plating. Some boards may also contain a limited number of resistors, capacitors, identification components, or diagnostic circuits.

The amount of recoverable material varies by board design. RAM-D should therefore be evaluated as a physical material category rather than by assuming that every board contains the same concentration of metals.

For accurate evaluation, please:

• Keep RAM-D boards dry and reasonably clean

• Separate them from populated RAM and unrelated circuit boards

• Keep loose metal, batteries, wires, plastic packaging, and other foreign material separate

• Avoid cutting, grinding, sanding, burning, or chemically treating the contacts

• Protect the boards from unnecessary breakage during storage and transportation

• Keep severely burned or contaminated material separate for inspection

Boards do not need to function. Operational testing is generally unnecessary because the classification is based on physical construction and recoverable material rather than electronic performance.

Extensively fragmented boards may be difficult to identify and may lose contacts or other material during handling. Severely burned or carbonized boards may contain soot and degraded resin. Heavy mud, oil, chemicals, salt residue, or hazardous contamination may also interfere with safe handling and accurate evaluation. Material in these conditions may be rejected after inspection.

Comparison and Ohata Classification

Ohata distinguishes RAM grades by application, board construction, connector finish, component population, attachments, completeness, and physical condition.

RAM-S Grade primarily includes qualifying server or enterprise memory with gold-plated edge contacts, ECC or registered characteristics, and high component density.

RAM-A Grade generally includes standard desktop DIMMs and laptop SO-DIMMs with intact gold-plated edge contacts.

RAM-B Grade includes modules with aluminum heat spreaders or shields, silver- or tin-colored edge contacts, or previously trimmed contact sections.

RAM-C Grade includes recognizable RAM that is damaged, significantly dirty, contaminated, supplied with non-standard attachments, or mixed with different grades and physical conditions requiring substantial sorting.

RAM-D Grade includes recognizable RAM-format boards with no memory chips or very few installed components. Test boards, diagnostic modules, laboratory modules, and dummy memory boards may qualify when they meet the RAM-D construction and condition requirements.

Not classified as RAM applies when an item cannot be identified as a genuine RAM-format board or consists of unrelated electronic material.

The main distinction between RAM-C and RAM-D is not simply condition. RAM-C generally includes populated memory that is mixed, damaged, dirty, or otherwise requires additional processing. RAM-D is defined primarily by its very low component population, including blank and nearly blank RAM-format boards.

Different brands, models, colors, or DDR formats may receive the same RAM-D Grade when their physical construction and component population meet the same requirements. Final classification is confirmed after inspection.

Official grading is completed after physical inspection. Photographs and model numbers provide useful preliminary information, but the final RAM C Grade determination depends on the actual construction, completeness, cleanliness, and recoverable-material characteristics of the delivered modules.

Learn more about Ohata's RAM recycling classifications

RAM-S(Gold finger server RAM) Grade

RAM-A(Gold finger desktop and laptop RAM) Grade

RAM-B(shelded/silver edge/trimmed RAM) Grade

RAM-C(mix and damaged RAM) Grade

RAM-D(mix and damaged RAM) Grade