What do you do with your component boxes?

Tattare

Senior member
Mar 4, 2008
231
0
76
Im putting my haswell rig together and for some reason Iv pulled out tote bins of old computer hardware most of it empty boxes packed in tupperware.
Some of these boxes have been nice over the years for RMA's but... Iv realized im a horder. So it now has me thinking of a solution. What do I do with this crap? Im pretty sure I even have empty boxes to old cases up in the garage.

I have boxes to heatsinks, mobos, hard drives, gpus, & psus probably from back to 1996 not including old hardware that is strewn about. I know there is a box or two of coaxial network cable and nic cards in the attic as well. :whiste:

Anyone have a solution?
 

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,897
74
91
I just store them for later use. They contain all the random crap i.e. manuals and accessories that you get with components, and they can be used to package the components for RMA or selling second hand. If you have too many boxes, just throw them away/recycle?
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,552
10,171
126
Just the cardboard boxes? No components inside? Just recycle them, dude.

I admit, I try to keep motherboard and video card boxes for as long as I own the component. Makes it much easier to re-sell or otherwise get rid of the component when I finally do choose to get rid of them.

Case boxes, not so much, because they're so large.

Other random boxes? Nope. Recycle.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
Pretty good consensus - keep a few for possible use and recycle the rest.
 

denis280

Diamond Member
Jan 16, 2011
3,434
9
81
i keep my box.because when i build a new one i sell the old one with all box.in your case if you don't intend to sell and rebuilt then recycle.
 

rpjkw11

Member
Jan 29, 2012
53
0
0
I save everything, box and included detritus, until I'm sure I won't have to RMA anything. Usually a couple of weeks, then I toss.
 

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
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www.mfenn.com
I pack all the random manuals and unused accessories into the mobo box and recycle the rest. I'll hold onto a GPU box if it's an out-of-band upgrade, but that's about it.
 

greenhawk

Platinum Member
Feb 23, 2011
2,007
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71
I pack all the random manuals and unused accessories into the mobo box and recycle the rest. I'll hold onto a GPU box if it's an out-of-band upgrade, but that's about it.

Pretty much this. Also anti static bags for when removing parts / RMA.

I also keep the current computer case box/foam in case I have to move it. ( not for a lan move, but more a moving house move).
 

TheStu

Moderator<br>Mobile Devices & Gadgets
Moderator
Sep 15, 2004
12,089
45
91
I also kept my monitor box, for moving purposes, and since I have to RMA it now, that paid off...

But otherwise, yea, just keep the mobo and maybe GPU box.
 

Mushkins

Golden Member
Feb 11, 2013
1,631
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I typically keep them for about 6 months just in case theres a problem with the part that isnt immediately apparent and I need to do an RMA or return or something, it's just so much easier to get them to comply if you have all the original packaging. Once i'm confident everythings working right, I dump all the books, extra cables and adapters, fan grates, etc into the motherboard box and toss the rest.
 

RayTheKing

Senior member
Jul 16, 2013
265
0
0
You can either recycle them or use them to make a kick-ass cardboard fort. I recommend the fort.
 

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,684
5,222
136
Depends on what the box is for. Computer components, save mb and video card boxes. Others, outside one case box for shipping a case (you never know), the rest are usually tossed.

Other boxes, such as boxes for my speakers, receivers, TVs, and the like, get saved. They are about the only way to transport them without having to worry too much about damage.
 

KentState

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2001
8,397
393
126
I keep everything until the next build. Pretty much everything fits into the computer case box.