▷ It is advisable or not to buy a second-hand processor

When it comes to assembling a new PC or updating ours, the question arises whether it is worth opting for the second-hand market, because many times we see forums full of users who try to sell their current hardware to pay for an upgrade. In this article we are going to see if it is a good idea to buy a second hand processor or another second hand component.

Is it a good idea to buy a second-hand processor?

It's a bargain when it comes to refurbished or used PC components. Many users have come to buy processors such as a Core i7 4790K or a Core i7 6700K for prices much lower than the Core i7 7700K, which was the top of the range at the time. This allows great performance for less money, especially in the case of the Core i7 6700K that performs almost the same as its older brother. So it's true that you can save some money with a used processor, but like everything else, you'll want to know some of the negatives when it comes to second-hand items, especially PC parts and components.

We recommend reading our article on Intel Core i9-9900K Review in Spanish

Why you should buy a second-hand processor

The main point when it comes to seeing new PC components is that you don't really need new parts. It's cool to unpack that shiny new processor, but it doesn't actually need to be new. Acquiring someone else's CPU can save you up to 50% for very similar performance in many cases. This means that you can spend more on improving another component of your current PC.

Even if there is a problem with the product itself, such as cosmetic damage, as long as everything works as expected, you will be ready. It also means that you will be doing your part to keep as much equipment as possible out of landfills. Not everyone recycles electronic equipment, so removing parts from someone else's hands means parts will enjoy long-term use before reaching the end of their useful life.

That CPU you're getting for less could just be disposable due to the previous owner requesting an upgrade. There is no point in discarding the old drive, so if it offers an upgrade to your system, why not take advantage of it?

And why shouldn't you buy a second-hand processor or other component

The warranty for a particular product is generally tied to the original owner through proof of purchase, so be sure to check the overall condition of what you are buying from someone and note any defects. However, a second-hand purchase from a retailer is often accompanied by a limited warranty on the item. That said, it can be difficult to examine the state of a part, for example the CPU, without having advanced technical knowledge. Products restored by the manufacturer tend to have their own guarantees from the point of purchase, although they are often shorter than the guarantee of a completely new purchase.

While used components can be a good bargain, there are certain components that should always be purchased new. These would include the motherboard, the power supply, and the hard drives, including the SSDs. These parts in particular are very important, especially the motherboard. In our opinion, it is not worth the risk of buying a second-hand motherboard or any storage unit that is being used on a daily basis.

Hard drives suffer wear and tear, so to get the best life out of one, you should always renew it. In the worst case scenario, the used motherboard or power supply may look very good to look at, but they could die soon and take other components with them. That's something you don't want to happen and will cost you more to fix.

Precautions when buying second-hand hardware

If you are going to buy second-hand hardware, you should always resort to specialized forums, and looking for users who have already made a few sales in a satisfactory way. These users may ask you for a little more money than newbies, but you'll also be taking less risk. It's also fair to say that all sellers have been rookies at some point, so really, just because a user doesn't have sales made doesn't necessarily mean they're not legit. Another option is to go to a physical store or an online sales platform with a certain reputation, and that offers you a minimum guarantee on the component used in question or also known as reconditioned.

This ends our article on whether it is advisable to buy a second-hand processor, we hope that it has been to your liking and will help you in the next update of your PC, or the assembly of a new one.