4 Reasons Why Used Parts Are Not Recommended for Beginner Custom PC Builds

Recently, due to rising prices and the depreciation of the yen, the cost of PC parts has also increased. Because of this, some people may be considering used PC parts to keep their expenses as low as possible when building a computer.

Sometimes, I am asked, “Are used PC parts a good idea?” To give a clear answer, used PC parts are not recommended for beginners.

Especially for those building a custom PC for the first time or for their second build, buying used PC parts comes with more disadvantages than just the lower price, so it is not advisable.

However, if the reasons why used PC parts are not recommended make sense, and the risks are understood and accepted, then it is okay to purchase them.

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Reasons Why Used Parts for Custom PCs Are Not Recommended

The main reason why used PC parts are not recommended is that the disadvantages far outweigh the benefit of a lower price.

Let’s look at each reason in detail.

Used PC Parts Have a High Risk of Short Lifespan

Used PC parts have already been used by someone else before being sold, so they have experienced some degree of wear and tear.

It is impossible to know if the part was almost new or if it was used under heavy load for five years before being sold.

Therefore, it is impossible to know if the part will last as long as a new PC or if it will break soon after purchase.

New PC parts generally last at least 3 to 5 years, but if a used part has been used under harsh conditions for 3 to 5 years, it might not even last another year.

Because of this, there is a risk that the lifespan will be short and that a replacement will be needed soon.

For example, a GPU that was used for cryptocurrency mining at 100% usage 24 hours a day might be sold as a used PC part.

Also, in my experience, the lifespan of storage devices (SSD/HDD) is about 20,000 to 30,000 hours, but there may be parts that have already exceeded 30,000 hours.

Since the actual lifespan is unclear, some used parts may last a long time, but at the same time, there is a high chance that the lifespan will be short.

Of course, there are used PC parts that have been used for less than a year or have been used very little and are in good condition, even if they are old.

However, it is difficult to judge the degree of wear and tear, and even if there is a note about how the part was used, it is impossible to know if it is true. In the end, the risk of a short lifespan always exists with used PC parts.

Knowledge Is Needed to Judge If Performance Is Enough for the Intended Use

It is difficult to judge the performance of used PC parts, and it is also hard to know if the performance is enough for the intended use.

For example, if someone wants to play a 3D game like Final Fantasy XV and is looking for the best graphics card among used PC parts, they can check the required specs from the game’s requirements and compare them using benchmark sites like PassMark.

However, due to aging, the part may not perform as well as expected, and the game may have been updated, increasing the required specs.

From my experience benchmarking 12 different games on actual machines borrowed from manufacturers, some games do not match their listed requirements.

Also, even if the specs meet the requirements, it is not clear what the average FPS will be.

Therefore, it is necessary to refer to actual benchmark results, but for older parts, benchmark information is often unavailable.

Most information is based on the latest PC parts and games, so it is hard to judge the performance of older PC parts.

If the part is from the latest or previous generation, there is more information available, but it becomes difficult to judge for anything older.

Used PC Parts Have Short or No Warranty

New PC parts usually come with a warranty from the manufacturer or official Japanese distributor.

For example, depending on the product and price range, CPUs may have a 3-year warranty from the official Japanese distributor, CPU coolers may have a 1- or 3-year warranty, and power supplies may have a 1- to 10-year warranty.

However, used PC parts often have a short or no warranty, so if they break after a few months, they cannot be exchanged.

First, manufacturer or official distributor warranties cannot be used for used PC parts.

In most cases, manufacturer warranties only apply to the original purchaser, so warranties are not transferred when buying used parts.

However, some manufacturers may allow warranty transfer if the warranty card is included, so it is important to check the manufacturer’s warranty policy before buying.

Some stores that sell used PC parts offer their own warranty.

This is usually a short-term warranty to cover initial defects after purchase.

For example, Dospara sells used PC parts, and according to the Dospara Used Product Warranty Policy, there is a one-week initial defect period including compatibility warranty.

Since the period is only one week, the warranty is for initial defects only.

Therefore, this is different from the general warranty that covers natural failures after several years of use.

In terms of warranty period, used PC parts also carry risks.

Buying Used PC Parts from Flea Market Apps or Individuals Is Very Risky

If someone still wants to buy used PC parts after understanding the risks, it is best to buy from companies that handle used PC parts.

Ways to buy used PC parts include:

• Online stores run by PC manufacturers
• Businesses that handle used computers and PC parts
• Buying from individuals on flea market apps like Mercari

However, buying from individuals is not recommended for the following reasons:

• Unclear product condition
• Usually no warranty for initial defects
• Even if there is a warranty, repair or support is unclear if it breaks
• Returns and exchanges are difficult
• Transactions with individuals can lead to trouble
• Risk of scams

Photos may be included, but depending on how they are taken, the product can look better than it is. Even if it says “Condition: Clean,” if the description is vague, it depends on the seller’s opinion and cannot be trusted.

Individuals may not offer any warranty, and even if they do, there are no clear warranty terms, so it is unclear how they will respond if the part breaks.

If there is no warranty for initial defects, the part may already be broken or not working properly, and the seller may not respond.

In the worst case, the seller may be intentionally selling defective parts.

Also, it is hard to believe that individuals will handle exchanges or refunds, so there is a high risk of being left with a loss.

On the other hand, companies usually offer at least a short warranty for used PC parts and will follow their warranty policy for exchanges or refunds.

Not just for PC parts, but transactions with individuals can lead to trouble with money or shipping, so if buying used PC parts, it is better to buy from a company.

Used Parts for Custom PCs Are High Risk

The reasons why used PC parts are not recommended have been explained, and now the risks of used PC parts will be discussed.

Used PC Parts Can Be a Case of “Penny Wise, Pound Foolish”

Used PC parts may look cheap, but considering performance, risk of failure, and warranty, they are not always a good choice.

Even if the performance is carefully checked and it is confirmed that the part is suitable for the intended use, the risk of failure is still higher than with new parts.

It is impossible to know how much the part has deteriorated, and the warranty period is short.

Imagine buying a used PC part, the short warranty period ends, and then it breaks soon after.

Finding another used PC part with similar performance is a hassle and costs more money.

If this experience leads to buying a new PC part after all, it may feel like it would have been better to buy new from the start, leading to regret and dissatisfaction.

In that case, it is much more satisfying to add a little more to the budget and buy the latest PC parts, which have better performance, last longer, and come with a solid warranty.

Used PC Parts Have More Disadvantages Than the Benefit of Low Price

The biggest advantage of used PC parts is the low price, which may seem attractive to those who cannot spend much on a custom PC.

However, as explained above, the disadvantages, such as risk of failure, lack of warranty, and difficulty in judging performance, outweigh the benefit of a low price, so personally, used PC parts are not recommended.

That said, it is not that new PC parts are always the only choice. If someone has experience building custom PCs and understands the disadvantages, buying used PC parts is not a problem.

The most important thing is to avoid buying used PC parts without knowing these disadvantages and ending up disappointed.

Summary: Used PC Parts Are Not Recommended for Custom PC Beginners!

The disadvantages of used PC parts have been explained from various perspectives.

Here are the key points again:

Used PC parts may be an option for those who are used to building custom PCs and plan to use them as a backup machine, assuming they may break.

However, they are not recommended for first or second builds or for use as a main machine.

If the reasons why used PC parts are not recommended make sense and someone feels, “Maybe I should avoid used PC parts…” or “I still feel uneasy…” then it is definitely better not to buy them.

The price may be higher, but new parts come with a solid warranty and provide satisfaction worth the cost.

Also, worrying about possible failures can make it scary to store important data and is not good for peace of mind when working on a PC.

On the other hand, if someone understands the reasons and risks and still wants to choose used PC parts for the price advantage, then it is fine to consider them.

However, buying used PC parts from individuals on flea market apps increases the risks of used PC parts, as well as the risks of warranty and trouble.

Therefore, if buying used PC parts, it is better to buy from PC manufacturers or reliable companies.

Personally, I think new PC parts may seem expensive at first, but in the long run, they are a better deal and provide greater satisfaction.

あわせて読みたい

PC Parts Estimation & Compatibility Check Tool

Automatically checks each component you need when selecting parts for a custom-built PC—perfect for beginners.