A gamer finds a broken computer with an AMD Ryzen 9 3800X in the trash. He wants to salvage the remains and builds a functioning system from the components. However, after 20 minutes, it’s already over. But the user wants to keep going.
A user found a completely destroyed computer in the scrap. It had a Ryzen 9 3800X from AMD, which is definitely high-quality hardware that can still be considered high-end today. But can you build a gaming PC from a broken system that you can actually play with?
In a first test, the hardware actually works. But after 20 minutes, the system crashes. He believes that it is not due to the hardware, but rather a lack of thermal paste. Because the found hardware is still quite powerful even in 2023.
Whether you can still use or even repair such severely damaged hardware will be revealed at the end of our article. And you will also read what you should definitely stay away from.
High-end CPU and entry-level graphics card found in the trash
What hardware is in the system? In the pictures that the user posted of the broken system, the installed components can still be recognized fairly well (via reddit.com):
- Ryzen 9 3900X (processor)
- MSI MPG Gaming Plus X570 (motherboard)
- RX 580 4 GB (GPU)
- A Wi-Fi card from Gigabyte
- 16 GB RAM
With the Ryzen 9 3900X, a top CPU from AMD is in the system, which was originally released in 2019. However, the processor still considered powerful, and GameStar ranks the Ryzen 9 3900X among the fastest processors in their test.
Currently, you have to pay around 400 euros for the processor, but for 350 euros, you can now get a significantly more modern CPU with the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D.
The Radeon RX 580 from 2017 is now considered more of an entry-level card, especially since this is the 4 GB model. The old Polaris architecture has been replaced multiple times.
What is the condition of the components? The most surprising thing is that the processor still looks quite good, as all the pins on the back are still intact and none of them are bent.
The CPU cooler, on the other hand, is heavily rusted, and the backplate of the graphics card is quite warped due to temperature fluctuations. The Wi-Fi card is also severely bent and has seen better days. The motherboard is slightly dirty, but the RAM still looks usable.
The case, on the other hand, was completely destroyed and not reused.
The hardware from the trash actually works, but only for 20 minutes
Does the hardware work? In a new post, the user explained that the hardware actually works. After he cleaned and assembled everything, he was able to get Ubuntu (Linux) running on the hardware.
However, after about 20 minutes, it’s already over. The user suspects that it’s due to a lack of thermal paste, which causes the system to shut down because of overheating. He explains himself:
I cleaned everything and put it together, it managed to boot into BIOS and then run Ubuntu from a flash drive for about 20 minutes before crashing during the installation. I suspect overheating due to a lack of paste on the CPU and missing thermal pads and dried paste on the GPU.
I ordered an SSD to test Windows/Benchmarks this weekend, and I ordered new pads/paste. If I get everything working, I will make a final update post showing the build.
By the way, he only bought a new power supply for the test to be able to test the components.
Can severely damaged hardware be repaired?
Basically, it really depends on the condition of the components. Broken pins from AMD CPUs can sometimes be easily fixed, as the well-known tech YouTuber JayTwoCents shows in his video on YouTube.
All parts that are mounted on the surface, such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, voltage and power regulators can usually be replaced. If you are experienced electronics technicians and have the appropriate equipment, you can indeed replace and repair damaged parts with the right setup.
When it comes to very outdated hardware, this effort is rarely worthwhile, as many manufacturers have also discontinued software and driver support for old generations. Often, replacement parts for old hardware cost more than simply buying new components.
Some people also use other components, like irreparable graphics cards, as a parts depot, utilizing existing capacitors and trying to repair other parts with them.
When is the repair considered finished? If the graphics chip or the processor unit itself is damaged, you can assume that the damages are irreparable. Especially tiny damages that you cannot see with the naked eye cannot be repaired by any technician. Also, broken PCIe interfaces are rarely able to be repaired.
You should also stay away from broken power supplies. In the worst case, you can get a life-threatening electric shock. Then it is better to invest money in a new, functioning power supply. You should never open a broken power supply.
By the way, a YouTuber tested how far one can go with used hardware. He built a gaming PC for 600 euros, but he didn’t get far with it:
