Buying used, versus new?

[VirtualLarry]

Just curious what the opinions are regarding buying used rig parts versus new?

I've bought some used parts (Q6600, Gigabyte P35 board, 8GB DDR2) before, for my storage server rig.

Most of my main rig parts have been new though.

I was wondering about buying an IB rig used, from someone upgrading to Haswell, whether the risk would be worthwhile.

 

[Blain]

Just curious what the opinions are regarding buying used rig parts versus new?

For me, buying from a person of integrity...

Used CPU = yes
Used HS = maybe
Used MB (solid caps) = yes
Used memory = maybe
Used case = yes
Used PS = no
Used storage drive = no
Used SSD = no
Used video card = yes
Used optical drive = no

 

[jpeyton]

I'll buy anything and everything used. The savings far outweigh the risks.

I'm not talking about eBay or on forums, those places are good for sellers looking to make top dollar. I'm talking about used equipment in local classifieds.

I regularly pay around 60-70% of the retail price on Newegg or Amazon. Imagine building a $1000 rig on Newegg and getting $350 knocked off the price.

 

[oynaz]

I would avoid used disks, as Blain also thinks. I would avoid used PSUs as well if I were in the USA. In most of the rest of the world I would be fine with a used PSU, though.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

a lot of people selling used stuff think its worth more than it really is. if someone lives near microcenter those prices are going to be lower than used stuff anyway. for other stuff, like cases, id come down on the side of just buying cheaper stuff, e.g. dont buy a $90 antec case, get a coolermaster for $39, dont get a $200 motherboard, get a $70 one....

 

[corkyg]

Blain's list is a good one. The bottom line is a price low enough to give you good value. It is not a one size fits all rule. It is somewhat analogous to the old military tactics response . . "It depends on the situation and the terrain."

 

[mfenn]

I would avoid used PSUs as well if I were in the USA. In most of the rest of the world I would be fine with a used PSU, though.

What, why?

 

[Meghan54]

Personally, I buy new most of the time. Warranty is the only reason, I suppose. That and having access to Microcenter sure helps.

But I hope the "buy used" crowd is active as I'm going to have a full sorta-gaming pc to sell very soon.

 

[Gillbot]

I buy everything used, though these days video cards are at the bottom of NO because of bitcoing mining and them being abused.

 

[escrow4]

Never. Anything I buy must be 100% untouched, ungroped and unfondled. That goes beyond hardware too.

 

[lehtv]

Whether I buy new or used depends entirely on price. If the cost of a used product is low enough that the savings outweigh the potential risk of shorter usable lifetime or lower quality or missing accessories etc. then it's worth it.

Never. Anything I buy must be 100% untouched, ungroped and unfondled. That goes beyond hardware too.

That definitely applies to underpants, but not sure about PC hardware... some things just aren't that personal

 

[mfenn]

That definitely applies to underpants, but not sure about PC hardware... some things just aren't that personal

What if you put a CPU into your underpants????