2nd hand motherboard.

[GoodZE]

Hi all, was just curious what peoples opinions are on buying 2nd hand motherboards.
I've recently bought a 2nd hand gfx and RAM and they seem to be fine and found a fairly decent price asus sabertooth 990fx, however would people advise buying 2nd hand mobo's or is a definite no go?
Lemme know people

-GoodZE <3

[scaryjim]

Motherboards have been the one thing I've always had little luck with second hand. Memory and CPUs always seem to be fine, GPUs are variable, motherboards seem to be very suceptible to problems. I've had good motherboards second hand, and I've sold a couple myself, but I'm always a litle cautious about them ... I wouldn't say it's an absolute no go, but I'd want to be pretty sure I could trust the buyer first...

[jimbouk]

Currently running a second hand motherboard and graphics card on my main PC, both from fellow Hexites.

Definitely one to be careful where you get it from though. CPU sockets mushed, excesses of thermal paste spread around and snapped off capacitor are something to look for. I did give my board a good clean before installation as there was a bit of paste where there shouldn't be, but otherwise it was in good condition.

[GoodZE]

Hmmm the mobo im looking at is on ebay, i really want it for my budget gaming PC cant really afford all the high-end gear brand new D:
think i might just have to risk it D:

[herulach]

Currently running a second hand motherboard and graphics card on my main PC, both from fellow Hexites.

Definitely one to be careful where you get it from though. CPU sockets mushed, excesses of thermal paste spread around and snapped off capacitor are something to look for. I did give my board a good clean before installation as there was a bit of paste where there shouldn't be, but otherwise it was in good condition.

Should I feel sheepish? I thought I'd got all that up before I sent it out.

From a regular poster on here I wouldn't have a problem, from some random on ebay I'd be very wary.

[Macadee]

I've bought a few from here - either manufacturer repaired items or unwanted DSR returns ; http://www.overclockers.co.uk/produc...ortby=priceAsc, prices vary with some at full price, but there are bargains now and then.

Latest one I got was a half price Gigabyte Z87-OC, all that was missing from the full package was the sata cables.

[scaryjim]

Another place worth looking for a bargain is Novatech's ebay outlet store: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Novatech-Ltd?_rdc=1

AFAIK it's all refurbs, cosmetic seconds and customer returns, but they usually have a variety of motherboards available to bid on. Could be a good place to start

[jimbouk]

Should I feel sheepish? I thought I'd got all that up before I sent it out.

Haha, no it was fine I just was being extra careful! You did manage to get some under the standard mounting plates (not sure how!) but came off with a quick wipe. Better safe than shorted though

[CoolHotCold]

I'd always be wary of 2nd hand MoBo's, it's so easy to mess up the CPU pins or cause any other number of faults you don't see till it's too late.

[Bonebreaker777]

Another place worth looking for a bargain is Novatech's ebay outlet store: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Novatech-Ltd?_rdc=1

AFAIK it's all refurbs, cosmetic seconds and customer returns, but they usually have a variety of motherboards available to bid on. Could be a good place to start

Agree on the Novatech eBay shop, sometimes real gems appear, and you get limited warranty. Make sure you read trough what they offer with the product.

[pastymuncher]

I have bought quite a few second hand mobo's over the years and never had a bad one yet. I have had some real bargains from Ebay too. I got a brand new Gigabyte P35 board for £25 (P45 had just been released at the time) as the blokes wife bought him it and he had a AMD cpu and was too late to return it. My current Asus Z87-A only cost me £60 and that was brand new and sealed. The seller had it up for £100 and i had it in my watch list. He dropped the price to £60 and after a couple of emails i snapped it up. There are plenty of good deals to be had if you are patient. If you have doubts send a question to the seller. You can tell a lot about them by their answers.

[herulach]

Haha, no it was fine I just was being extra careful! You did manage to get some under the standard mounting plates (not sure how!) but came off with a quick wipe. Better safe than shorted though

Must have had some on my fingers when I changed coolers.

[karl751]

I have bought quite a few second hand mobo's over the years and never had a bad one yet. I have had some real bargains from Ebay too. I got a brand new Gigabyte P35 board for £25 (P45 had just been released at the time) as the blokes wife bought him it and he had a AMD cpu and was too late to return it. My current Asus Z87-A only cost me £60 and that was brand new and sealed. The seller had it up for £100 and i had it in my watch list. He dropped the price to £60 and after a couple of emails i snapped it up. There are plenty of good deals to be had if you are patient. If you have doubts send a question to the seller. You can tell a lot about them by their answers.

This is good advice.
At the end of the day it's upto you if you want to take a chance, it could last years or it could only be weeks. Obviously second hand your not likely to get warranty so if it does go wrong you have to buy another

[deejayburnout]

i bought a 2nd hand mobo off Ebay and it didn't work.

seller wouldn't take it back however luck was on my side as the mobo was still under warranty and Gigabyte fixed it for me.

I was lucky. got a good mobo for less than half price. if the warrenty was out, i would have had a new frisbie.

be careful.