New vs. used CPU

[NoiseFreeGuy]

Well I finally decided to take the plunge and build my first system.
Most key parts have been ordered and should be arriving sometime next week.

The first part I 'ordered' was the CPU, I bought it on eBay.

I noticed a fellow was selling quite a few of these P-M CPU's. Most of them said they were a 'pulled CPU' from another system.

The one I bought said 'NEW'. Not 'like new', or 'pull' or anything like that.

Well the CPU arrived today in a bubble-wrap envelope.
Inside the bubble-wrap was the CPU. The CPU was sandwiched between two small pieces of black foam and the foam was shrink-wrapped sealed inside a pink plastic wrap.

A note had been hand-written on top of the black foam indicating the CPU model number.

So my question is this. Can a CPU packaged in this way be new?
If so, how can I tell one way or the other?

By all appearances from the way it was wrapped, it didn't look new.

I won't be able to tell if it even works for a couple of weeks until the rest of my parts arrive.

Thanks!

Ric

 

[Maximilian]

I totally wouldnt buy parts from ebay. But the only way to tell is the physical appearance of it. Theres no software or anything that can tell you, as every cpu that comes brand new in the box has technically been used anyways before it left the factory as they have to test it somehow.

If it looks all beat up and scratched, its not new. If it looks fine, its probably new or at least well taken care of so he can pass it on as "new".

 

[Furen]

Yes, a CPU packaged any way can be new as long as it wasn't used. Most Pentium M CPUs are sold as OEM chips and, as such, they don't come in boxes but are shipped in trays containing more than one CPU. If an OEM decided to sells its extra CPUs it would have to package them, though I would have used a small box rather than a bubble-wrapped envelope. There really is no way to find out whether or not the CPU is new, so you'll have to take the seller's word on this.

 

[NoiseFreeGuy]

Originally posted by: Furen
Yes, a CPU packaged any way can be new as long as it wasn't used. Most Pentium M CPUs are sold as OEM chips and, as such, they don't come in boxes but are shipped in trays containing more than one CPU. If an OEM decided to sells its extra CPUs it would have to package them, though I would have used a small box rather than a bubble-wrapped envelope. There really is no way to find out whether or not the CPU is new, so you'll have to take the seller's word on this.

Thanks Soviet and Furen for your help here.
When I do get the system up and running in a week or two all that I really care about is whether it runs properly or not.

And usually the first day or so is critical for that. Although I'd like it to be new, if it runs fine and there are no problems, then used is good enough for me too.

BTW, there were no markings or anything on the CPU that made it look obvious it was used. The pins are also very straight with no corrosion.

I guess I'll have to keep my fingers crossed then.