Buying a refurbished gaming PC: what to know

A refurbished gaming PC can give you much more for your money than a new one. But not every refurbished PC is the same. Here is what refurbished means, why it costs less, and what to check before you buy.

What refurbished means

A refurbished PC has been used before. It has then been checked, cleaned and tested so it can be sold again. Parts that are worn or faulty should be replaced.

There is no law that says exactly what "refurbished" must include. One seller might replace several parts and test for hours. Another might just wipe it and plug it in. So the word alone does not tell you much. What matters is what was actually done.

Why it saves money

Computer parts lose value quickly, even when they still work well. A graphics card that was top of the range a few years ago can still play most games well today, but it costs far less. So for the same money, a refurbished PC can often give you a stronger graphics card than a new PC. For gaming, the graphics card matters most.

It is also kinder to the planet. A good PC gets a second life instead of going to waste.

What to check before you buy

• What was replaced. Ask which parts are new and which are original. Fans, the storage drive and the power supply are the parts that wear most.
• How it was tested. Ask how long it was tested and how. A gaming PC should be tested under a heavy load, like a game, not just switched on.
• The warranty. Ask how long it lasts and what it covers. Get it in writing.
• The Windows licence. It should come with a proper, activated copy of Windows. A licence is the legal right to use it.
• An SSD. An SSD is a fast storage drive. It makes Windows and games load much faster than an old hard drive. A gaming PC should have one.
• Memory. 16GB is a sensible amount for gaming today. Our guide on how much memory you need explains more.

The honest risks

A refurbished PC is not new, so some parts have been used before. Older parts may not last as long as new ones. An older graphics card may not support the very newest features in games. And a cheap refurbished PC from an unknown seller may not have been tested at all.

You can lower these risks. Buy from a seller you can talk to. Ask the questions above. Make sure there is a warranty. If a seller cannot tell you what was tested or replaced, look elsewhere.

Our refurbished PCs

We build and test our PCs on our own bench in Worcester, and sell them through sandboxcomputers.com. If you are looking at one of our refurbished PCs, ask us what was replaced and tested, and we will tell you. Call us on 01905 673738.

See every one on our refurbished gaming PCs page. On a tight budget? Read the best gaming PCs for under £500. Already have a PC? Upgrading it might be the cheaper choice.

Questions people ask