You buy that memory once, then run your precious data through it for years.

Sounds like money well spent.

Assuming the data being accessed by that RAM is precious, you're probably right. In fact, I agree so much that I spent that money.

I wasn't making any value judgements though, only posting observations.

You could use that same logic to justify a $30 power cable, though.

No. Power either is there or it isn't.

That's not quite true. Power fluctuations can cause instability or crashes, either of which could lead to data corruption.

That said, it's much more likely that a faulty or low quality PSU will be the cause of that rather than the cable, and there's a lot already written out there about why a high quality PSU is important.

RAM prices went down quite a bit over the last year or so and a 32GB stick of 3200 Kingston RAM with ECC here is now 70-80€, not that much more expensive than non-ECC (about 60€ for 3200, more for faster modules).

I replaced 2 of the 16GB ECC sticks in my main PC with 32GB ones a while ago and put them in my NAS, will probably do the same with the remaining 2 sticks to max out my RAM.

Not that I'm doubting you but I'm having a hard time finding Unbuffered ECC RAM in the correct configuration (at least in the UK).

This shop [0] sells the same ones I have but it's even more expensive than it was last year, at £206.17 for 32Gb.

[0] https://harddiskdirect.co.uk/ksm26ed8-16me-kingston-technolo...