lostinlodos wrote:
Let’s keep this simple since there’s always exceptions to any set of rules and standards.
If some fool put a GeForce Titan in a 10 year old system I’m obviously going to be offering above a few hundred for it; if it turns on.
98-08 (pentium through core era)
Any computer newer than the late 90s no test conditions unknown I’m looking at $1-$5 for laptops and $1-$10 for desktops. Turn the case around on desk units and see how many cards are in it and pad YOUR resale estimate you $5 per card. So you should be adding $1-$2 per expansion card. Super tower cases that are clean and undented are worth at the least $40 used and cost starting $10-$25 to ship
So looking at that throwing an extra $5-$10 at a super tower case is also reasonably.
You get where I’m going with here
Working or has potential
98-08
Laptops >$10 bigger the screen higher the price
Desktops >$20. An empty back side and we’re at $1-$5. 5 card’s in a super tower I’ll pay $20 for no second thoughts
Anything newer than 08 I look up.
Everything working can be flipped easily enough. I tend to cap myself personally at $50-$60 here but there’s no reason to /not/ go higher for say, a core i7 with two titans etc.
92-97 (386-pentium)
From a bare bones 3rd party computer your raw scrap value is around$10-$25 depending on what materials are used. I tech enough to fix much of this so I tend to be less cautious and can get into the matching range for the 08+ range but I tend to suggest staying under $20-$25 if you don’t want to go the solder and tweezer route.
Keep in mind small things like EDO ram and goldstar cards can quickly sell into triple digits so if you can get a power on test and it works don’t limit yourself. A fully working fully loaded Packard Bell or leading edge with a goldstar 3D0 blaster and awe card and ecc memory is going to flip for over a hundred and part out for much more!
In scrap and resale both the real value lays in pre 92 stuff. With gold cap chips, Bank matched memory, gold and silver wires...!
Rarity plus precious metals keep this stuff fairly expensive. Broken IBM XT systems regularly surpass $100 on ebay WITHOUT shipping fees added in.
Some other 8088/8086 era stuff runs triple digits as well when broken .
Going back into the 4XXX era of the 70s and nothing working will be under a few hundred. So you find one as a door stop at a yard sale for $50 snag it, pay, and run.
The 80s are the most difficult era to price.
Kit computers are all over in value. I can buy TI 80s for $10 working, complete, with boxes and peripherals all day everyday day by the pallet.
But old Tandy computers can easily fetch thousands!
Generally anything older than 92 I don’t have set prices for and you’re experiences will be different from mine. It’s a place where a cell phone with internet is a needed partner.
All this doesn’t answer you directly. I realise that. All I can do is point out my opinions. Your location, technical experience, patience, etc all factor in to what you’d be willing to pay.
My best advice for doing this is buy a few, sell and scrap a few, and find what values work for you.
It is a starting place, and it certainly helps me and the wife once we are set up and able to do this.......I am deeply grateful, and if this thread is still on the 1st page of this section I would gladly look in to it for any other further information you can provide, at your own convenience of course.
Thank you.
PRD