What's your opinion of refurb mobos?

CaptnKirk

Lifer
Jul 25, 2002
10,053
0
71
Refurb's have been retested to ensure they will function before being put up for re-sale. Most of them are bought by people who either discover that the baord will NOT fit into their "Proprietory" case, like a Dell, Gateway, HP, Etc. or they find that they are over their heads in doing the installation, and just decide not to do it.

Usually the motherboard has everything that it's supposed to have as if it was new, but there are times where one of the parts is NOT included then it's sent back - like an IDE Ribbon cable or a USB Bracket.

I've built 3 systems using ABIT re-furbs, and only in one case was there a part missing - a USB Bracket, which I wasn't going to use anyway.

You have to be ready to go with the installation when you get one though, as the time to return it is limited.
 

Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
9,640
1
0
Never. There are so many ways a mainboard can be ever so subtly broken ... those brief tests at the dealer's won't reveal everything. I rather get a brandnew one and screw it up myself :) If tight on budget, I'd rather cut down on the specs than buy stuff someone else has already been messing around with (and obviously didn't manage, else it wouldn't have been returned in the first place).
 

rogue1979

Diamond Member
Mar 14, 2001
3,062
0
0
I have bought 6 refurbished boards from newegg. 4 worked, 2 were broken and promptly replaced. Great way to save money if you don't mind a little hassle.
 

Jayczar

Golden Member
Aug 28, 2001
1,628
1
81
I agree it is a crapshoot on refurbs, but sometimes the deals
are hard to pass up. It is a cross your fingers situation.
 

deerslayer

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
10,153
0
76
I've ordered one. It's working right now, doesn't come with anything, but it's just being used to crunch SETI so accessories are no big deal :)
 

cnwk64

Banned
Jul 18, 2001
402
0
0
Order once from newegg,
it comes with nothing but the board itself.
and it was DOA, so I guess I would never buy it again.
if you like to try your luck, go for it.
if you want to be sure it works, then buy the brand new board.
 

Deskstar

Golden Member
Mar 26, 2001
1,254
0
0
Ordered one from NewEgg, got the board alone...no cables, manual, CD, USB or back plate. I did not install it but RMAed it and promptly got a refund. YMMV however. NewEgg is always easy to work with in the event of a problem order.
 

c3p0

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 2000
2,494
0
0
I bought an EPOX 8KHA+ from Newegg about 6 months ago. It came as a complete retail with everything, including the extra USB connectors. Cost me $49 shipped. It's been running 24/7 ever since. My only regret is I didn't buy 2 or 3 of them at that price. I know some people have received bad refurbished before. But I also know people who have received bad NEW boards. You just never know!

c3p0
:)