Would you buy a CPU off ebay?

[mcjimbo]

Hi all,

I know some of you may slate me for posting this, but before you do just hold up. I've got all components for my new Athlon 64 based system bar CPU. I chose an MSI Neo4 Platinum, which supports the socket 939 chip and according to AMD will support dual cores with a bios upgrade when they are released. I was going to get a venice 3500+ but no I think I want a dual core.

Here is my thinking, I found some new AMD 64's new/used Winchester and Newcastle core CPU's ranging from 3200+ - 4000+. So what i'm thinking of doing is spending up to $100 on a new/used 3500+ to tide me over until dual cores are released this summer.

What do you think? Most of the CPU's being sold seem to be from guys upgrading to FX55, and the ones i'm looking at all have positive feedback ratings. Is this crazy or clever, basically i can save myself upwards of $200 get the chip I want for a lot less, and then get myself a dual core when they come out.

Of course i'm open to scrutiny and good/bad experiences with ebay.

Cheers

James

 

[NightTrain]

I buy them all the time. Just make sure your seller has excellent feedback.

 

[biostud]

I only buy stuff from friends or new. Specially since all parts have 2 years warranties over here.

 

[allanon1965]

i also buy all the time from ebay on cpus, just make sure the seller has excellent feedback, one negative means i dont buy from them....

 

[WackyDan]

I've bought CPU's as upgrades from eBay for older hardware.

No problem.

 

[jameswhite1979]

Yeah i bought a CPU from ebay still in my PC now doing fine like the other guys say good feedback.

 

[stevty2889]

I've bought several CPU's from ebay, never had a problem. I am very picky about the feedback, so I usualy only buy from somebody that has a lot of feedback, and always read the negetive feedback on them, sometimes it's not really their fault..

 

[mcjimbo]

Cool, i think this confirms what i want to do then.

Cheers

James

 

[imported_Kiwi]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
I've bought several CPU's from ebay, never had a problem. I am very picky about the feedback, so I usualy only buy from somebody that has a lot of feedback, and always read the negative feedback on them, sometimes it's not really their fault..

"Check". My experience parallels Stev's exactly.

 

[Appledrop]

go ebay!!

 

[imported_Phil]

Or just... wait...

 

[imported_asfd]

I used to buy from newegg only. However, think about this - what's the chance of CPU failure in reasonalble handling? As the CPU value drops to 0 anyway in two years, why do you need years warranty on that ? So I bought my first ebay CPU couple days ago, happy with it. Just watch seller's feedback. Good luck.

 

[AMCRambler]

The most 'd spend on a cpu off EBay is 75-80 bucks. Thats how much I could shrug off losing should it turn out to be a bad chip. I have bought a used laptop chip off EBay to upgrade my gf's Thinkpad, but it was only like 35 bucks. So if it didn't work, I wouldn't be out all that much dough should getting the issue rectified turn into a problem.

 

[Fern]

I voted "no" cuz I'd rather buy from a long-time AT member at our FS/FT forum.

Fern

 

[Concillian]

Originally posted by: mcjimbo

Here is my thinking, I found some new AMD 64's new/used Winchester and Newcastle core CPU's ranging from 3200+ - 4000+. So what i'm thinking of doing is spending up to $100 on a new/used 3500+ to tide me over until dual cores are released this summer.

Looking at completed listings, no 3500+ has sold for less than ~$180. You're going to have a tough time getting one for $100.

 

[Googer]

Only realy old CPU's or CPU's that are still in their retail packageing. If they are used, I make sure they cost less than Ten Dollars. I won't buy any modern processors in fear that they have been overclocked.

 

[Melchior]

Your not going to find a 3500+ for 100 bucks. Now I wish Ebay was that cheap, but it really isn't. Usually 10% less than retail or something close to that.

 

[airfoil]

I bought a P4 3.0 recently off eBay to upgrade an older rig into a HTPC - works like a charm.