Having recently built a new PC, I know all too well just how expensive parts can be. It’s tempting to source used PC parts to save money but there are some components that are definitely worth buying new. So what PC parts are fine to buy second-hand and what should you buy brand new? Let’s find out.
Over at YouTube channel Paul’s Hardware, host Paul Heimlich addressed what PC parts are considered acceptable to buy second-hand. Bear in mind, there are a few factors to consider when you do buy used PC components and you’ll need to do your own assessment of the parts. For example, if a part is caked with dust and doesn’t look like it’s been well looked after, obviously steer clear.
You should also confirm that each of the used parts work before you buy them. Here’s a list of components that are fine to buy used:
- CPU
- Coolers (excluding liquid coolers)
- RAM
- Graphics card
- PC case
- Power supply (depending on brand and rating)
What you should buy brand new Avoid:
- Storage: Hard drives and SSDs
- Peripherals like keyboards and mice
There are a few items that Heimlich considers a 50:50 bet:
- Motherboard: Individual parts on a motherboard may fail even though it may appear to work when you initially test it.
- Monitors: Backlights can fail and colours may lose vibrancy, depending on age.
Watch the video from Paul’s Warehouse (skip to 12:00) for more details on why Heimlich made those recommendations.
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