Every computer needs a central processing unit. Used CPUs are generally a safe purchase. Their architecture makes them resistant to damage from years of use. Nevertheless, you should make sure that a CPU has not been constantly run in an overheated environment or with constant overclocking.
A test with a tool such as Cinebench provides insights into the health and performance of the CPU. Graphics cards, especially high-end models, cost a lot of money. Caution is also advised when buying a used GPU.
Make sure that it has not been used intensively for cryptocurrency mining, as this accelerates wear and tear. A stress test with the free Furmark tool can help you identify thermal and electrical inconsistencies.
The mechanical components of used magnetic hard disc drives (HDDs) may already be worn out. This poses a risk to the data stored on them.
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RAM modules are robust, so failures are rare. However, compatibility (e.g. DDR3, DDR4, DDR5) and clock frequency must be taken into account. Tools such as MemTest86+ can also check the integrity of the RAM. However, the process can be somewhat time-consuming.
Air coolers are usually reliable as long as they are not physically damaged. With liquid coolers or AIOs (all-in-one PCs), however, there is a risk of leaks or pump failures, which can lead to more serious problems. It is therefore advisable to check the performance and noise development in advance.
Monitors should be checked for dead pixels, burn-in, and other damage. For keyboards, mice, and headsets, you need to make sure that all buttons, LEDs, and functions are working properly.
A stress test benchmark such as Furmark pushes the hardware to its limits by fully utilizing it. This allows you to see whether components such as the graphics card are stable or buckle under load.
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Other components such as housings, radiators, heatsinks, or GPU mounts or riser cables are generally uncomplicated because they do not contain electronic components that can easily fail. Nevertheless, you should watch out for physical damage.
HDDs, on the other hand, have mechanical components that can wear out over time. While SSDs have no moving parts, they have a limited number of read and write cycles. Buying used drives can therefore jeopardize data integrity. For this reason, we do not recommend this.
The power supply unit provides all components with power. An aging or inferior power supply unit can cause voltage fluctuations. As a result, expensive hardware can be damaged. This is why buying used power supply units is risky — if at all, you should only buy branded power supply units with a long warranty period (8 to 12 years are possible here).
We recommend that you do not buy all your hardware second-hand in order to save money. However, in this article we reveal which components can be purchased second-hand without any problems.
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The motherboard is the central connecting element of the PC. Faulty voltage regulator modules (VRMs) or damaged CPU socket pins can cause considerable damage. For this reason, a physical inspection and functional test are essential.
Overall, you should exercise caution in this regard. The market for used PC parts offers considerable savings potential. However, care and technical understanding are always required when buying used components in order to avoid disappointment later on.
This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.