Which computer components are not smart to buy used?

When you buy a new computer and you can peel off the plastic wrap for every component, it's a fantastic feeling. What if, instead of this feeling, you would rather save a few euros by buying a used component or even a used computer?

How does the RTX 7700 XT sound for a good €250? Or the Intel i7-14700K for just under €300? The second-hand computer equipment market can be the right decision if you shop thoughtfully, on the right sites, and especially the right components. Graphics cards, processors, and RAM are fairly safe choices, even if they've been in use for a few years. By nature, these are more reliable components compared to drives.

With a used graphics card, you can just change the thermal paste and it will be almost "like new". Graphics cards that have been used for mining, for example, have been, or still are, sold without any problems, even though they have quite a few working hours behind them. It's the same with processors. In both cases, of course, it is considered that the components worked under normal conditions, and not, for example, with inadequate cooling, a broken fan or something similar.

However, there are components where saving by buying used makes less sense, or the purchase makes sense only under certain conditions.

Avoid buying used HDDs unless you…

... you are looking for large capacities for your home server, you regularly create data backups and you are aware that there is a greater chance of failure. You might be lucky and find HDDs with only a few hundred working hours. There are not many options, but it has already happened that some, often bankrupt companies, wanted to get rid of almost new components.

Če ne spadate v to skupino in ste čisto običajen uporabnik, v tem segmentu raje preskočite trg rabljenih izdelkov. Tudi finančno se vam običajno ne izide. Cena novega HDD diska kapacitete 2 TB je okoli 50 €. Tudi če boste dobili rabljen HDD za polovično ceno, so to mizerni prihranki, tveganje pa veliko – še posebej, če ne boste pozorni in boste kupili 4-5 let star disk.

If you really need to squeeze every cent out of your budget and an SSD isn't a viable option, then at least test the HDD before buying. If the seller mails it to you, you'll still have to hope that they package it properly and that it doesn't get damaged in transit. Use it for data you won't miss in the event of premature failure, or start thinking about backups.

What about SSD drives? Are they a safer choice?

V primerjavi s HDD diski zagotovo, vendar imajo, tako kot vsaka komponenta, tudi SSD pogoni določeno življenjsko dobo. Če je SSD pogon ocenjen na 600 TBW (Total Bytes Written), to pomeni, da lahko nanj zapišemo 600 terabajtov podatkov. Pravzaprav je to proizvajalčeva meja, za katero jamči in nudi garancijo. SSD pogon lahko odpove tudi prej (redko), živi pa lahko tudi veliko dlje, tudi za večkratnik svoje zagotovljene življenjske dobe.

A more reliable metric is the health or the remaining life of the SSD drive, which can be viewed in the companion programs of each manufacturer or with the help of other programs, for example CrystalDiskInfo.

Before buying a used SSD drive, test it or ask the seller for snapshots of the drive's health data.

Similar to HDDs, it is considered that buying used SSDs is mostly not worth it due to the small savings and higher risk. If you'll be storing games and other data on it that you don't care about losing, and you'll save a fair amount by buying used, then it might make sense to buy, but still follow the advice above.

Water cooling systems can be a recipe for disaster

Water cooling looks a lot "cooler" than air cooling, but it also carries more risk. Air coolers are simpler, have fewer parts, so there are fewer points of failure. When buying used air coolers, a physical inspection is usually enough to make sure everything is in order with the ribs, that the cooler is not bent, etc.

Pri sistemih za vodno hlajenje pa je težko ugotoviti, ali je kaj narobe s črpalko, cevmi ali radiatorjem. Ne smete se zadovoljiti samo s fizičnim pregledom. Naj prodajalec pred vami zažene stresni test, da boste lahko v živo opazovali temperature. In tudi to ni nobena garancija.

Nov sistem za vodno hlajenje lahko dobite že za 50 €. Je res vredno tvegati za deset ali dvajset evrov prihranka? Bolje je kupiti novega – in še garancijo dobite.

It rests too much on the base plate

Pri osnovni plošči so prihranki lahko že veliko večji. Težje pa je ugotoviti, ali je z osnovno ploščo vse v najlepšem redu. Pozorni ste lahko na kovinske kontakte (angl. pins), ki so pri novejših procesorskih arhitekturah na osnovni plošči in ne na procesorju. Če opazite ukrivljene ali celo manjkajoče kontakte, raje preskočite ponudbo, razen če ste samozavestni in imate izkušnje s popravilom osnovnih plošč in kontaktov.

Omenjeno je najbolj očiten znak, da je z osnovno ploščo nekaj narobe. Težje pa je na prvi pogled ugotoviti, v kakšen stanju so kondenzatorji, upori, varovalke in ostale komponente. Malenkost varnejši nakup je v kombinaciji s procesorjem, tako da lahko obe komponenti pred nakupom testirate. Še bolje pa je, če osnovno ploščo kupujete kar v sestavljenem računalniku, da lahko preverite, ali je vse v redu s spominom, ali delujejo vsi priključki in podobno.

The power supply is one of the most reliable components

The power supply is one of the most reliable components, but if it fails, a faulty power supply can send all the other components to an untimely grave. Because of this risk alone, buying a used power supply is not recommended. However, buying a used power supply of higher quality is a better decision than buying a new power supply of an unknown manufacturer or of inferior quality.

The power supply is also more difficult to test. The dealer should put it back in the computer, connect all the components and run some tests. A lot of work for someone who wants a few tens of euros for a used power supply. When buying used modular power supplies, you should also pay attention to the fact that the seller will provide you with the appropriate cables.

What is your risk tolerance?

How much are you willing to risk? How confident are you in your abilities to spot a good bargain and the most obvious signs of wear on individual components?

If you're clear about what you're getting into and it's a good compromise for the money you'll save, the used component market will be a goldmine for you.

For ordinary users, processors, graphics cards, RAM and cases represent the least risk among used components.

First, check with friends or acquaintances if anyone wants to get rid of a used computer or component. This will make it easier for you to check the background, how the component was used, for what and for how long, and also test the computer live. If there is an account, even better.

Don't avoid buying used components. Follow our advice, weigh every offer, inquire about every little thing before you buy, and it may happen that you will honestly reduce the final amount with used components.