I would like to sell my computer as it has just become a pain in the neck. How much would you think it should be sold for? It is an ASUS and is just over a year old. I don’t care if I get 300 but I just need to sell it. However I can’t do a factory reset on it–previous and ongoing issues with that, but I don’t have any private information, pictures or valuable info on it. Please any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.
It used to be a commonly held belief that if you wanted the best bang for your buck in a PC, then you had to build your own. But times change.
PC prices have plummeted and people have started buying laptops as appliancesHow to Buy a Good Cheap Gaming Laptop for Under $500How to Buy a Good Cheap Gaming Laptop for Under $500Finding a good cheap gaming laptop is pretty much impossible, unless you use these tips and tricks to get the most for your money.Read More, using them for up to four years before buying replacements.
So does that mean there’s no value in building your own PC anymore? Or is still possible to get a high-value system for less money? If there are savings, are they enough to be worth the effort? Let’s take a look at some prices to find out.
What the Average PC Needs
Before we start pricing parts, let’s do a quick check of everything we need. Note: We won’t go into the details of which exact parts to get or how to fit them together. Check out our comprehensive guide to building your own PCHow To Build Your Own PCHow To Build Your Own PCIt's very gratifying to build your own PC; as well as intimidating. But the process itself is actually quite simple. We'll walk you through everything you need to know.Read More for that.
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Processor
The CPU is the brain of your system and is the first component you should choose (unless you’re building a gaming PC, in which case you might want to start with the graphics card).
There’s a mind-boggling number of processor optionsSo What's the Difference Between Intel's Haswell and Ivy Bridge CPUs?So What's the Difference Between Intel's Haswell and Ivy Bridge CPUs?Looking for a new computer? Those shopping for a new Intel-powered laptop or desktop need to know the differences between the last and the latest generation of Intel processors.Read More available, but for most users, the choice usually boils down to either the Intel Core i3 (entry-level), i5 (mid-range) and i7 (high-end) processors.
Typical Price for CPU: $100-$500
MotherboardSell My Pc
The motherboard is the backbone of your system and the part to which all your other components attach. It also contains USB ports and other ports, and possibly Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios. You need to ensure that your motherboard is compatible with all of your chosen parts and that it fits in your computer case.
Typical Price for Motherboard: $50-$200
You might also consider the Mini-ITX form factor for building your PCHow to Build a Small PC With the Mini-ITX Form FactorHow to Build a Small PC With the Mini-ITX Form FactorWant to build a small PC? Here's how to build a small gaming PC or media center using a Mini-ITX motherboard.Read More.
Memory
RAM is one of the areas that PC manufacturers are notorious for skimping on, which is sad because it’s one of the most effective and most affordable upgradesHow To Upgrade Your Laptop In a Flash: Add a New Hard Drive & Increase RAMHow To Upgrade Your Laptop In a Flash: Add a New Hard Drive & Increase RAMLaptops are not as easy to upgrade as desktops. Many components are simply soldered on to the motherboard and others, though technically replaceable, are restricted by technical skill and cost. There are, however, two upgrades..Read More you can make to your PC. If you want extra RAM in a pre-built machine, it’s almost a given that you will pay way over market value.
Typical Price for Memory: $60-$90 (8GB)
Graphics Card
Depending on the type of system you’re building, the graphics card may be optional.
If you’re building a gaming PC, then you should pick a good graphics cardIntegrated vs. Dedicated Graphics Card: 7 Things You Need to KnowIntegrated vs. Dedicated Graphics Card: 7 Things You Need to KnowWondering if you should use an integrated vs. dedicated graphics card? Here's what you need to know to make your decision.Read More first so that you can build the rest of your system around it. For non-gaming PCs, modern Intel and AMD CPUs have integrated graphics support and will suffice. Most low-end to mid-range PCs make do with this.
Typical Price for GPU: $60-$500
Storage
For storage your choices are between a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) — cheaper, much higher capacity, slower — and a solid state drive5 Things You Should Consider When Buying An SSD5 Things You Should Consider When Buying An SSDThe world of home computing is moving towards solid state drives for storage. Should you buy one?Read More (SSD) — smaller, lower capacity, much faster.
Some higher end systems make use of both, with the operating system stored on the SSD for best performance and data stored on the larger but slower HDD. For the average user, it’s enough to get one. Whether you should pick HDD or SSD will depend on your personal preference.
Typical Price for Storage: $30-$300
Power Supply
The power supply is another area where it’s easy to cut costs. The benefits of paying more include getting a modular unit (which improves airflow within the case) and greater energy efficiency (which may give you savings in the long termCan You Really Save Money By Building A Green PC?Can You Really Save Money By Building A Green PC?Read More).
Most importantly, you need to have the correct wattage for your hardware. This tool on the Asus website helps you identify how much power you need to sustain your intended system.
Typical Price for Power Supply: $40-$200
Fans
You may or may not need extra fans to help keep your system cool. Most computer cases come with at least one fan, and most processors and graphics cards and power supplies each have dedicated fans as well.
If your computer case ends up being too poor at circulating air, you can always install more fans at a later time.
Typical Price for Fans: $20-$100
Case
There are a huge array of case sizes. The most important thing is that it fits your motherboard and all the components attached to it.
Typical Price for Case: $50-$300
Extras and Optionals
On top of the basics, you may need to add a few additional items. These could include a wireless card (if your motherboard doesn’t have one built in) and an optical drive (e.g. a DVD drive) but only if you need oneHow to Play DVDs & Blu-Rays on Windows 10, Even Without a DVD DriveHow to Play DVDs & Blu-Rays on Windows 10, Even Without a DVD DriveWith the removal of Windows Media Center, it has suddenly become more difficult to play DVD and Blu-ray discs on your computer. Fortunately, you have alternatives, including third-party tools or virtual drives.Read More.
We’re going to assume you already have a monitor, mouse, and keyboard, but if you don’t then you’ll have to factor in the price of those, too.
Operating System
When pricing up your custom-built PC, you mustn’t forget to include the cost of an operating system to power it. You can run a Linux distroDistro Indecision: A Cheat's Guide to Choosing a Linux DistributionDistro Indecision: A Cheat's Guide to Choosing a Linux DistributionThis guide is all about how to pick the right distribution, and how to test them before you actually commit to using it, arguably one of the most difficult steps in getting into Linux.Read More like Ubuntu for free, but if you want Windows you’ll need to pay retail prices for it — and retail Windows isn’t exactly cheap.
Windows 10 Home costs around $100 for consumers. In comparison, PC makers were thought to pay between $15 and $50 for a Windows 8.1 licence. A big discount, but not so big that it forces you to decide one way or another.
Typical Price for OS: $100
How Much to Build Your Own?
So, you know what you need to buy and roughly how much each part costs. Let’s now take a look at three actual systems and see how much it would cost you to build an equivalent machine.
We’ll get our pre-built PCs from Best Buy and compare them to individual component prices listed at PCPartPicker.com, which also checks for compatibility issues. Check out our look at the PC Part Picker sitePC Part Picker: An Invaluable Resource for First-Time PC BuildersPC Part Picker: An Invaluable Resource for First-Time PC BuildersPlanning to build a PC but not really sure how to get compatible parts? Here's how to use PC Part Picker for an easier build.Read More for more details.
Entry-Level System: $449 vs. $503
The Dell Inspiron Desktop (model I3847-6162BK) is one of the top-selling entry-level PCs at Best Buy. It has an Intel Core i3 processor at 3.7GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB hard drive storage, and integrated graphics. The normal price is $449.
We were able to price up an equivalent self-built PC for $503, not including the keyboard and mouse that Dell PCs include.
Performance System: $729 vs. $679
Next, the HP Envy desktop (model 750-114) which is for sale at Best Buy for $729.99.
Here are the prices for the key parts:
Add in a CPU cooler, motherboard, optical drive, mouse, and keyboard and we’re able to put together an equivalent system for $679.34. That’s a $50 savings, and if you choose Linux over Windows it’s closer to $150.
Gaming System: $1299 vs. $1023
Finally, a gaming system. The Asus model G20AJ-B11 has an i7 processor, GeForce GTX 960 graphics card, and 16GB RAM. The regular price on Best Buy is $1299.99.
Here’s what we get for individual parts:
With the other parts, including motherboard, power supply, case, and so on, we were able to get the price to $1023.63. This savings of $276 would enable us to double the RAM or upgrade the graphics card to one even stronger.
If we opted to build a Steam MachineSteam Machines Are Finally Coming! Here's What You Need to KnowSteam Machines Are Finally Coming! Here's What You Need to KnowRead More for gaming instead of using Windows, we’d be able to get the price well below $1000.
Our Recommendation Is…
The pattern seems clear. At the budget end of the market, the margins are so low that it’s difficult to undercut the price of a pre-built PC, and any savings you can make on the hardware will likely be cancelled out by the $100 price of a copy of Windows 10.
When you move toward the mid-range, savings become possible. It may not be enough to warrant the extra effort involved in building your own PCEco-Friendly Computing 101: Buy or Build Silent and Green PCsEco-Friendly Computing 101: Buy or Build Silent and Green PCsComputer fans clog with dust, make horrible noises and waste energy. Why put up with that when consumers can go silent and green? A huge number of options popped up for setting up highly efficient..Read More, but it’s certainly worth exploring.
It’s at the top end of the market where the benefits of building your own PC become pronounced. Not only are you able to make savings on equivalently-specced machines, but you also get to tailor the specs to your exact needs. Broadly speaking, the more niche your PC requirements, the better off you’ll be building your own.
Of course, this is all based on you starting from scratch. The real beauty of a custom-built PC is that you can easily build in future upgrade paths. This enables you to update individual components as needed and keep your PC running for longer than a store-bought model ever could.
For other tools you may not think of when assembling your PC, check out our list of things every PC builder needs9 Things Every PC Builder Needs for a Successful Build9 Things Every PC Builder Needs for a Successful BuildThinking about building your own PC? Don't fit any hardware components until you have these nine things for the best results.Read More.
Image credits: setting a video card by Mny-Jhee via Shutterstock, Intel Core i7 via intel.com, Motherboard via MATSUOKA Kohei, RAM via crucial.com, GTX 970 via nvidia.com, Hard drive via William Warby, Power supply via corsair.com, Fan via Laineema, PC case via corsair.com, DVD drive via yoppy, Build a PC via StooMathiesen
Explore more about: Computer Case, Computer Processor, PC.
In today's economy every dollar counts--so why not sell that not-so-old PC you don't use anymore on Craigslist or Ebay? Odds are, a penny-pinching buyer is out there eager to save big by buying your second-hand hardware. After all, anything is better than having your recently retired PC gather dust bunnies in your closet.
To help you sell your old PC, we've put together a list of the four steps you need to take to make sure that your PC is ready for a second life of service. We also answer some of the common questions about selling a used PC, such as how to estimate what it's worth, and what legal issues are involved when selling a PC loaded with expensive software (can you charge extra?).
The Four Key Steps
Run a scan: It's critical to scan your old computer for malware, including viruses, spyware, and worms. You don't want to pass along security threats to the next owner. Viruses and spyware can also significantly slow the system down. Getting rid of them is not only playing it safe, it also gives the PC some pep. If you're not already running an antivirus/antispyware app, don't rush out and buy one. PC World has selected eight great security tools that'll do the job for free.
Move your data to your new computer: Naturally, you'll want to transfer all of your files, programs, browser favorites, passwords, and other essentials. For a direct PC-to-PC transfer, an inexpensive Windows utility like Laplink's PCmover is a good option. The $70 shrinkwrap version includes a USB 2.0 cable, or you could save $10 by downloading the app sans cable. If you back up your files to an external hard drive or online service, you could restore them to a new system. And remember that when it comes to backups, personal data--including photos, videos, and music--should be your top backup priority. You can always reinstall applications, but not your kids' pics.
Wipe the drive clean: Don't leave personal and financial data, including credit card, bank account, and social security numbers, on your hard drive. Sensitive files that you've 'deleted' still exist on the disk and are very easy to recover. It's critical that you render this data unreadable. A drive-erasing tool like DBAN is a must. Another option is to wipe the drive completely and reinstall Windows. (Nobody wants to buy a PC without an operating system.) This wipe/reinstall process should take eight easy steps, but be sure to transfer or back up your data before you begin.
Pep up your old system: What if a potential buyer wants to figuratively kick the tires of your PC before plunking down cash for it? Slow system performance can easily scuttle the deal. You might want to install one or more free utilities that will speed up and tweak your PC. For instance, if Windows starts up too slowly, you might try StartUpLite to streamline startup and eliminate unnecessary overhead. And Vista Services Optimizer zaps unnecessary background services that slow Windows Vista.
Common Questions
How much is my used computer worth? A good way to determine a fair asking price for your computer is to go to eBay's home page, enter the manufacturer's name and model number (for example, Gateway MX8734) in the Search field, and click the Search button. On the search results page, go to Refine Search, scroll down to Condition, and click Used. The results will show what eBay buyers are asking for PCs like yours.
Another way to estimate how much your system is worth is by checking with eBay again and searching for completed auctions. First sign in to your eBay account and go to Advanced Search. Next, type in the model number of your old desktop or notebook into eBay Search and select 'Completed Listings.' The search results will deliver what people actually paid for auction items. Here are Ebay's instructions.
We found that an old Dell Dimension 8300 recently sold for $160--not bad.
Do I have to uninstall software that I put on the PC?
Let's say your notebook has a copy of Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop. Is it legal to leave the software on the portable, or should you delete it first? The good news is that copyright laws don't prevent you from reselling software. The bad news is that the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) that you clicked--and probably never read--when installing a program may prevent you from doing so. If you want to play it safe, read the EULA of the apps you want to leave on the PC. If reselling is a no-no, delete them.
What's the best way to market my PC? In most cases, a used PC isn't a big-ticket item, so you'll want to keep marketing costs to a minimum. A free Craigslist ad is an economical option, particularly if you want to sell your computer locally, which is always easiest. To cast a wider net, eBay is a good choice, although you'll have to pay seller fees and probably pack up and ship the computer. For tips on buying and selling on Craigslist, see '10 Craigslist Tips for Power Users'.
According to Michael Bluejay, who also goes by Mr. Electricity, it costs from $631 to $5.50 per year to power a PC.
Even Mr. Electricity admits that's quite a range. A more typical annual energy bill for a Windows desktop PC that uses an LCD monitor and has sleep mode enabled is less than $10.
Microsoft's free Joulemeter program lets you calculate the power used by a Windows desktop or laptop. Joulemeter's developers intend the program to be used in conjunction with an external power meter when measuring a desktop's energy consumption, although the program's Manual Entry option generates an approximate power-usage number; the energy use of laptops is determined without requiring an external power meter.
For precise calculations of desktop power consumption, the Joulemeter user guide indicates that a WattsUp Pro power meter is required. WattsUp meters cost from $96 to $196 on the vendor's site.
The program also estimates the amount of energy being used by each application currently running. Enter the name of the program's executable file (such as 'firefox.exe') in the text box under Application Power on the Power Usage tab and click the Start button. You can also save the current readings to a file for future reference.
When I used Joulemeter's manual approach to estimate the energy consumed by two Windows 7 desktops and a Windows 8.1 laptop, the utility indicated that the desktops used about 75 watts an hour and the notebook about 25 watts an hour. Since our local power company charges an average of just more than 15 cents per kilowatt hour, our household's computer energy bill is in the vicinity of $1 a month.
Of course, this figure doesn't include the cost of powering our two iPhones and three tablets. In September 2012, Outlier's Barry Fischer calculated the cost of charging an iPhone 5 and a Galaxy S3 for one year at 41 cents and 53 cents, respectively. In a post from June 2012, Don Reisinger reported that an iPad's annual energy bill comes to $1.36, according to a study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute.
No matter how you slice it, that's a lot less juice consumed by our gadgets and computers than is used by other household appliances. According to Mr. Electricity's TV energy use calculator, a 46-inch Samsung LCD TV that is watched an average of 5 hours a day runs up an annual energy tab of just under $47. That's the equivalent of 537 pounds of CO2 pumped into the atmosphere, according to the calculator's figures.
A little energy conservation goes a long way
In the spirit of upcoming Earth Day, here are a handful of ways to minimize your household energy use.
Sleep mode saves time, money, and the environment.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's EnergyStar FAQ, using your computer's power-saving modes can save you up to $50 a year. I don't know where the EPA got that figure, but it's clear using less energy saves much more than money.
On the How-To Geek site, Chris Hoffman explains the differences between Windows' Sleep, Hibernate, and Shutdown modes. Unfortunately, sleep mode often causes more problems than it solves. The Microsoft Support site provides potential solutions to many sleep-mode glitches.
Related articlesTurn off power at the source.
The Green Options site offers tips for reducing 'vampire' power, which is the energy drained by devices that are 'off' but still plugged in. Among the tips are to unplug chargers when you're not using them, switch off power strips, and use 'smart' power strips. In a post from last week, Ry Crist described the Quirky Pivot Power Genius, one of the new products from home-automation vendor SmartThings.
The various power modes of modern electronics make it difficult to determine exactly when a device is 'off.' The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (they could save some energy by coming up with a shorter name) explains the power modes of home electronics and offers advice on what to look for when shopping for energy-efficient appliances and devices.
Get Amazon Prime Day deals without being a member: You won’t have to pay a thing -- unless you buy something, of course.
7 best Prime Day shopping tips: Master these to snag the best deals on July 15.
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