How Much Should I Ask For My PC?

Silibant · Jul 22, 2014

So, I built a gaming PC and I'd be willing to sell it to fund the next, infinitely better build. I'm not sure how pricing works on these things, so I used the policy of my local electronics store and took 10% off the price. Given that it's prebuilt and cable managed, one would think it'd be an attractive option to budget gamers. Price:
GPU: ASUS HD7770 2GB GDDR5- $139.99
CPU: AMD FX-4150- $91.99
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CL-P0503- $12.99
HDD: WD Blue 500GB- $54.99
Case: CoolerMaster HAF 912- $59.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte 78-LMT-USB3- $58.99
PSU: Corsair CX430W- $44.99
ODD: ASUS DVD Burner- $19.99
TOTAL: 483.92
Minus 10%
FINAL: 435.53
What're we thinking? Reasonable or not?

ingtar33 · Jul 22, 2014

not even close. $200 max... $250 if you can EBAY/Craigslist well.

10% off for used pc parts? that's downright silly. Especially since the only thing you've got that might have held it's value since you got it was the case... and unfortunately the market for used cases is terrible.

everything in that build is 3-5 years old. no way no how will you get 400 for it. not unless you sucker someone badly.

xTempered · Jul 22, 2014

ingtar33 :

+1

I'd be surprise if even a good negotiator could push past $200

sincreator · Jul 22, 2014

Don't forget to include the cost of your Windows. I would ask $500 , and let it go for $450.

Bencenum · Jul 22, 2014

When you are buying 2nd hand products you expect a high discount. If it's only a 10%, you would prefer to buy it new, as you can't trust a lot in a 2nd hand vendor, as it probably won't offer you warranty. A 50% discount, which lasts in a 40% one as it's all ensambled is much more acceptable.

You can try to sell it with the 10% discount first, of course, and if that doesn't work, the 40% discount.

sincreator · Jul 22, 2014

ingtar33 :

Oh come on now, lol. There are a lot of people out there that would rather pay $400-500 for this over a Walmart PC, or Staples PC for a similar price. To get specs like this, the comp would cost well over $500 at a major retailer. I worked at staples years ago. I know.

xTempered · Jul 22, 2014

sincreator :

Did you even read your own post? Thats ridiculous. Its used and its components are outdated. For that price you could build a new better computer. Like Bencenum said sell it for about 40% discount off of original price is more than fair.

Spac3nerd · Jul 22, 2014

The biggest problem is how small of a discount the potential buyer gets over buying the parts new. A 30-35% discount seems more reasonable, I would try listing it for ~$330-350.
There are many wear items in a computer, fans being the most obvious, but individual electronics on a part are also prone to wear(think of electrolytic capacitors).

The only way I would buy a used power supply for only a 10% discount is if you an open it up, probe it with an oscilloscope and prove that it is still within specification.

Point being, a 10% discount is too small, but try not going over about 40%.

4745454b · Jul 22, 2014

Let me use the first part listed as an example. $140 for a 7770? Brand new you can get the faster 7790 for $100. The GTX750TI is also ~$100. Both are faster then the 7770. On used forums I see 7770 listed for $60-$75 shipped all the time. Anyone who has done their homework on buying used parts isn't going anywhere near a (140 - 10%) $126 used 7770.

20% is smallest discount I've seen on used parts. It sucks, but 40-50% is normal for semi recent parts. Computers are all about newer, smaller, faster. This makes them horrible investments, and used parts are nearly worthless.

Silibant · Jul 22, 2014

ok. the theme I'm seeing is that basically I won't get the money I was hoping for, so that's GREAT. If I sell this PC for like 25 cents my guess is people'd call it overpriced. I do understand that 10% is a bit low for a discount, so I can definitely get behind a 25% discount (minimum). 4745454b, thanks for the example. My only supergripe is that for $200, I wouldn't even be able to buy a gpu and that's BS.

Edited for language.

sincreator · Jul 22, 2014

xTempered :

I guess it comes down to where your from and what kind of market there is. In a big city I think you guys would be right because there would be a lot more competition for used parts. Where I'm from, there is no major retailer selling gaming parts at all. So when a used dell/hp from staples goes up for sale, I often see people getting three quarters of what they paid back. That's if it's only 1 or 2 years old. So we have dell/hp used selling for $600, when they only cost $800-$900 new. So a custom made computer with better specs would easily go for $400-$500 around here to some older person or student that only needs a computer to surf, write essays and email with. If they are any bit of a gamer at all, they would notice what it's capable of as well, and make it even more attractive.

PS: Not many people around here online shop either, and would rather the convienence of just getting a unit that's all ready to go. Barely anyone builds around here either. We are 5 or 10 years behind in terms of technology around here because most of the population here are baby boomers/retirees.

Silibant · Jul 22, 2014

xTempered :

Do it. I dare you. Build a GAMING computer for less than the cost of a gaming graphics card alone. Good luck.

manicd · Jul 22, 2014

You can also take it apart and sell the pieces individually on ebay, take a look at what each piece sells for used on ebay. There is a "completed listings" search filter on the bottom left side that lets you look at completed auctions. Green prices mean it sold, red means it didn't sell. It's interesting not just for computer parts but anything used.

Put the computer on craigslist for $400 and call it a day. That's a fair price.

ingtar33 · Jul 22, 2014

manicd :

this is probably how you'll get the most for it. I didn't bother suggesting it because i get tired of suggesting it only for people to ignore it. (i don't think anyone has ever taken this advice, for some reason the idea of parting out the pc doesn't appeal to anyone)

Parting it out you can get...

hd 7700 - $60
fx 4150 - $50
WD Blue - $30-$40
Cooler Master HAF 912 - $40
Motherboard - $30
PSU - $20

= $240

which is on the top end of what i said you could hope to get for the system.

BTW: you gotta pay attention to the actual market. you might have bought that 7770 for 140, but you can get them brand new (they're now called r7-250x) for $80. It's tough luck but that's what happens. I got one sitting 5 feet from me i bought brand new for $84 last july. I even have the original manuals, anti-static bag, box and dvd. I don't expect to get more then $50 when i get around to ebaying it, no matter how sparkling new it might look (original packaging and everything), it's still a gpu that was used for a year, and the market hasn't been kind to it's value. Heck i just saw a r7-260x on sale for $80.

4745454b · Jul 22, 2014

A few years ago I bought my GTX460 1GB with the 256bit bus for $90. And that was two years ago. Remember as I said earlier that computers march forward. Newer, faster, cheaper is always coming out. As mentioned above your local area always plays a part. And windows doesn't really go down in value so if you include that another $75-100 would be normal. I believe in a freer economy so try for whatever you want. Just realize that if it doesn't sell, the problem is you want to much.

I had to edit your post, please leave the swear words out.

Silibant · Jul 23, 2014

ingtar33 :

manicd :

this is probably how you'll get the most for it. I didn't bother suggesting it because i get tired of suggesting it only for people to ignore it. (i don't think anyone has ever taken this advice, for some reason the idea of parting out the pc doesn't appeal to anyone)

Parting it out you can get...

hd 7700 - $60
fx 4150 - $50
WD Blue - $30-$40
Cooler Master HAF 912 - $40
Motherboard - $30
PSU - $20

= $240

which is on the top end of what i said you could hope to get for the system.

BTW: you gotta pay attention to the actual market. you might have bought that 7770 for 140, but you can get them brand new (they're now called r7-250x) for $80. It's tough luck but that's what happens. I got one sitting 5 feet from me i bought brand new for $84 last july. I even have the original manuals, anti-static bag, box and dvd. I don't expect to get more then $50 when i get around to ebaying it, no matter how sparkling new it might look (original packaging and everything), it's still a gpu that was used for a year, and the market hasn't been kind to it's value. Heck i just saw a r7-260x on sale for $80.

Thanks for the pricing info. How confident are you in those prices? If I could actually get those parts for the GPU and PSU, then I'd be pretty happy. Also, any particular site or place to sell on? Thanks again for the info.

4745454b · Jul 23, 2014

I'd use those as starting prices. Should be fairly close.

ingtar33 · Jul 23, 2014

Silibant :

fairly accurate. Understand i'm a bargain shopper supreme. You'd be amazed at what i paid for my current computer. I keep a really close eye on computer hardware prices both new and used. I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for can't miss deals so i have a pretty good idea what goes for what on the market.

For example... i think I've put a little less then $850 into my computer. If you bought all the parts today, it would run you $1500. This computer has been 18 months in the building. I was on a very tight budget. But i wanted the best. The ironic thing is I got a new job recently, just as i finished this build. Meaning i have the means and $$ to build a better computer... however i work with those "better" computers every day, and right now i'd put my system up against them comfortably... at-least it doesn't seem to be worth the $$ to "upgrade"

That said, what this past 18mo have proven to me, is you can build a pretty badass computer on a tight budget if you ebay smart, keep a close eye on sales and craigslist, and get a little bit lucky.

I got my...

-1080p ASUS 23" monitor used for $60 on craigslist
-Sony Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound reciever, speakers and bluray dvd player for $89 on an after xmas sale at wallmart (best $89 i ever spend on this computer buy the way... fantastic sound quality)
-fx8320 for $129.99 on a black friday sale
-Sabertooth 990FX r2.0 new/open box on ebay for $130
-Samsung 840 EVO 120gb SSD for $65 on NCIX for a black friday sale
-Seagate 1TB HD for $50, matched price at Fry's Electronics (apparently walmart was selling them for that, i was price matching newegg at $52, the sales associate said walmart was selling them for less, at 45.. after tax it was $50)
-Corsair h100 - new/open box at Fry's electronics for $50
-r9-280x new/openbox for $150 on ebay
-Logitec MX518 gaming mouse for free
-GSKILL 8gb ddr3 1600 9/9/9/27 ram for free
-Antec 900 and 2 case for free
-XFX 750W PRO PSU for $79 for a xmas/black friday sale

I'm not posting this to discourage you or to brag. If anything i'm posting it because you seem frustrated that you can't build a kick butt computer. I just want to let you know it CAN be done on a shoestring budget. You just need patience and keep a close eye on prices. Sometimes you luck into deals. that $60 monitor was 100% luck, and if i was 30 minutes faster i could have had 2 for $100... i had actually gotten tired of looking for a new monitor, and was planning on blowing $60 on a used 1600x900 resolution monitor. I had just got the hd7770 i mentioned before, and i knew the 7770 would probably like 1600x900 better then 1080p... i just didn't like spending $60 for a used one. So i took one last look at craigslist... and BAM! there it was. just posted. Well i was on the phone and in my car in a flash. had the monitor home in less then 40 minutes. the seller was the best too... he rigged it up, let me look at it powered on. great guy. buying from craigslist can be a bit sketchy sometimes but that whole deal worked out fantastic.

You can upgrade your system part by part as well. If your patient. I didn't even bother replacing my motherboard/cpu until my motherboard died on my... i was actually holding out for an intel i5 or i7... but i was still using my old phII, and i didn't have the $$ for a new intel... that locked me into an AMD for my build. I put off that choice for months, only to have my choice taken away. Part of me is irritated by that... but then this fx8320 has been such a charm to use, i'm stopped regretting it.

Silibant · Jul 23, 2014

ingtar33 :

Silibant :

fairly accurate. Understand i'm a bargain shopper supreme. You'd be amazed at what i paid for my current computer. I keep a really close eye on computer hardware prices both new and used. I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for can't miss deals so i have a pretty good idea what goes for what on the market.

For example... i think I've put a little less then $850 into my computer. If you bought all the parts today, it would run you $1500. This computer has been 18 months in the building. I was on a very tight budget. But i wanted the best. The ironic thing is I got a new job recently, just as i finished this build. Meaning i have the means and $$ to build a better computer... however i work with those "better" computers every day, and right now i'd put my system up against them comfortably... at-least it doesn't seem to be worth the $$ to "upgrade"

That said, what this past 18mo have proven to me, is you can build a pretty badass computer on a tight budget if you ebay smart, keep a close eye on sales and craigslist, and get a little bit lucky.

I got my...

-1080p ASUS 23" monitor used for $60 on craigslist
-Sony Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound reciever, speakers and bluray dvd player for $89 on an after xmas sale at wallmart (best $89 i ever spend on this computer buy the way... fantastic sound quality)
-fx8320 for $129.99 on a black friday sale
-Sabertooth 990FX r2.0 new/open box on ebay for $130
-Samsung 840 EVO 120gb SSD for $65 on NCIX for a black friday sale
-Seagate 1TB HD for $50, matched price at Fry's Electronics (apparently walmart was selling them for that, i was price matching newegg at $52, the sales associate said walmart was selling them for less, at 45.. after tax it was $50)
-Corsair h100 - new/open box at Fry's electronics for $50
-r9-280x new/openbox for $150 on ebay
-Logitec MX518 gaming mouse for free
-GSKILL 8gb ddr3 1600 9/9/9/27 ram for free
-Antec 900 and 2 case for free
-XFX 750W PRO PSU for $79 for a xmas/black friday sale

I'm not posting this to discourage you or to brag. If anything i'm posting it because you seem frustrated that you can't build a kick butt computer. I just want to let you know it CAN be done on a shoestring budget. You just need patience and keep a close eye on prices. Sometimes you luck into deals. that $60 monitor was 100% luck, and if i was 30 minutes faster i could have had 2 for $100... i had actually gotten tired of looking for a new monitor, and was planning on blowing $60 on a used 1600x900 resolution monitor. I had just got the hd7770 i mentioned before, and i knew the 7770 would probably like 1600x900 better then 1080p... i just didn't like spending $60 for a used one. So i took one last look at craigslist... and BAM! there it was. just posted. Well i was on the phone and in my car in a flash. had the monitor home in less then 40 minutes. the seller was the best too... he rigged it up, let me look at it powered on. great guy. buying from craigslist can be a bit sketchy sometimes but that whole deal worked out fantastic.

You can upgrade your system part by part as well. If your patient. I didn't even bother replacing my motherboard/cpu until my motherboard died on my... i was actually holding out for an intel i5 or i7... but i was still using my old phII, and i didn't have the $$ for a new intel... that locked me into an AMD for my build. I put off that choice for months, only to have my choice taken away. Part of me is irritated by that... but then this fx8320 has been such a charm to use, i'm stopped regretting it.

Thanks for the words of wisdom. Yeah, budget is the name of the game right now (I'm not even of working age) but thanks to a little saving up, I've just bought a GTX 770; and I'm about to sell my old GPU to a friend who's paying $10 above what you suggested, thus paving the way for a new PSU. Thanks for all the help on this, I'm pretty awful at finding prices on my own (don't know where to look). By the way, nice rig! I'm glad you were able to build it without sacrificing a bazillion dollars to Gaben or whoever else needs that :^)

ingtar33 · Jul 23, 2014

keep your eyes on ebay and craigslist. just understand you have to be CAREFUL buying from either. I never trust a seller who says "never been overclocked"... or "lightly used".... those are the words of a liar... so i see those buzzwords and i avoid the seller. What i'm looking for on ebay atleast... is honesty. Their own pictures of the product. A couple of pictures ideally. and something definitive about it's functionality. They need to say "works perfectly" or "never had a problem" and even "looks brand new, works perfect!"... that's someone i'll buy from because you're PROTECTED when you buy from someone who says it works.

If it comes broken after claiming it works perfect ebay will get you your money back no questions asked. If you buy something from someone and the only thing they say about it is "never been overclocked" and then some product cut and paste you'll have a harder time getting a refund if it is broken.

craigslist is a different matter. Never pick up anything from a craigslist ad alone. Bring a friend... in your case since you're underage bring a parent (dad ideally). You never know about some people. Also never leave their property or hand over or even show cash till you know it's what you came to get, and you know it works. Same basic rules when you get anything from a classified ad in a paper.

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