The famous tech YouTuber JayzTwoCents wanted to build a gaming PC using only second-hand hardware from eBay. But after just 25 minutes, it becomes clear that this probably won’t work.
If you want to build a gaming PC and save money while doing so, you can also buy used hardware. It is often cheaper than new components, and now and then you can find a real bargain.
Whether it’s possible to build a gaming PC solely from used hardware is something a YouTuber wanted to find out.
A damaged CPU prevents the computer from starting
How did the YouTuber proceed? Tech YouTuber JayzTwoCents wanted to build a gaming PC using only second-hand hardware. For this, he spent approximately 600 euros. In his video, he shows the purchased hardware and how he assembles the system. He then tests it.
What hardware did he buy? He bought the following hardware used. In total, he spent 609 US dollars including shipping, which is about 600 euros. Without shipping costs, the price is 516 US dollars.
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
- Mainboard: Gigabyte GA-AX370-Gaming 5
- Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 3000
- Graphics Card: EVGA RTX 2060 XC
- SSD: SK Hynix 512 GB NVMe
- Case: Rosewill Spectra D100
- Power Supply: EVGA 650 N1
You can watch the entire experiment in his video on YouTube. We have embedded it here for you:
What was the problem? Already when unpacking the purchased hardware, JayzTwoCents has to notice that some pins of the CPU are broken and bent. He can straighten the bent pins, but cannot replace the missing pins.
When he attempts to start the system, the mainboard shows that there is something wrong with the processor. This happens in the video at the 25-minute mark. The YouTuber explains that this is the risk of buying used: You purchase at a low price, but you have no guarantee that all parts will work.
What about the other components? After replacing the broken CPU with a functional model, the system starts without any problems. In further tests, he can then determine that the remaining hardware works without issues.
- The operating system can be installed on the hard drive and started without issues.
- The graphics card works flawlessly in the benchmark test under load and can be overclocked without issues. He also tests the GPU fans without any problems.
- He cannot identify any further problems.
Especially the graphics card is a real stroke of luck. Because he only paid about 170 euros for the GeForce RTX 2060, which is a really good price these days, as he says. Because otherwise you would pay thousands of euros for a graphics card on eBay.
Beginners should always buy new hardware
Is there a tip? JayzTwoCents explains that beginners, who are building a system for the first time, should definitely go for new hardware. Because here the likelihood is very high that all components will function correctly.
With used hardware, the risk is higher that a part might be broken. And if you have absolutely no idea about the components, you will first face a long troubleshooting process.
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