Can You Reuse Motherboards?
Reusing good old tech does not seem as hard as it sounds or looks like. The trick here is to know which parts you can reuse and which parts you cannot. There is a myriad of hardware that build themselves to get resold. On the contrary, others lend themselves to recycling, upgrading, or repurposing. Sometimes, these items are suitable for an upcycle as well.
Amidst all this, what’s important is how to declutter the old tech loitering on your floor. That said, here is a guide that states what exactly can be done with tech recycling, how to reuse computer parts, and how to repurpose and recycle motherboards. At the end of the guide, you will also get an idea of how to resell your motherboard if required. Without further ado, let’s begin!
Which Motherboard Parts Can Be Reused?
Let’s imagine that you want to build a new desktop. Of course, you would opt for a machine capable of handling complex activities. In clear terms, you’d want a machine that provides excellent performance compared to the one you’ve had.
However, does that mean you cannot use some of the parts of your dear old system? Well, no. There are plenty of peripherals that you can keep and reuse. The good news is, it will work just as fine and the best part is, it saves you extra money. Isn’t it?
Some of the parts that can be reused include speakers, keyboard, webcam, monitor, mouse, headphones, etc. Besides this, some other reusable hardware include,
- The CPU case
- The CPU fans
- The power supply
- Graphics card
- Storage
- RAM
- CPU coolers
How To Reuse Computer Parts?
Moving forward, reusing hardware is fine. However, the question is, how? You can either upgrade it, repurpose it, or recycle it. Here are a few items that can be reused at ease.
RAM
RAM is a stable component of a computer/laptop. The good part is that RAM types remain unchanged, unlike GPU and CPU generations. However, if you decide to keep and reuse the RAM, ensure it is compatible with your existing motherboard. A DDR3 RAM would never work with a DDR4 motherboard. For best outcomes, you can check if your RAM needs an upgrade.
Processor
The answer to this is clear. As long as your motherboard supports your CPU, you can reuse it several times. Keep in mind that you need to dust off the top and utilize a heat transfer paste. Furthermore, both should be of the same socket type. You can reuse the processor as often as possible, provided that you install a brand new thermal grease in case you move CPUs.
CPU Cooling Fan
Truth be told, CPU coolers and fans are pricey. That said, if your old one stays in good shape, you can always reuse it in the best way. Just make sure it is capable of cooling down your current CPU. Cooling fans can easily be reused.
These components are available in a tiny variety of standardized configurations. It generally depends on the lifespan and quality, which ranges from 3-10 years. Although there are various connectors for fans, they are not a problem.
Cables
You can reuse cables provided that the power supply is compatible with your new system. Moreover, it should last for more than ten years. However, you know when you need to invest in a new one. Not to forget, the newer it is, the more efficient it is.
Removable Hardware
Such hardware involves the graphics card. This one is quite the easiest component to decide on. In case you wish to play a single game, you can keep the GPU provided that it runs smoothly. In case you wish to play the latest games, go through the minimum specification requirements for each game.
Storing and reusing the old card applies to those who are fine with 30-60 frames per second at 1080p. In case you need a higher resolution, over 60FPS, and wish to grab the game’s latest features, get a new graphics card.
Can We Repurpose A Motherboard?
Amidst all the equipment, one component that requires intensive inspection is Motherboards. Although it is said that they can be reused by some cleaning, the topic is quite a heated debate. Here, testing the device is important.
For a clear picture, repurposing the hardware can work just as fine. Repurposing is a sort of recycling. You can use the same old product but in a new way. More refurbishments. For example, if you have two similar laptops that don’t work, you can alter some of their running components to get one of them to work again.
However, as stated above, you can reuse several pieces of hardware, but some must be disposed of. Note that you do not need to send any of these disposed-of items into the bins. What you need to do is to research how to dismantle these components safely without harming the environment.
For example, if a defective motherboard is thrown out in the open, it is prone to catch fire. Hence, it must be disposed of safely. Instead, you can sell the item or build a secondary PC with the leftover components. Eventually, you can set it up as a torrent box or a NAS box.
However, if you think your motherboard is in a capable state of working, you can reuse them. You can use Motherboards and several other printed circuits by turning them into newer items. Remember that if you plan to reuse a motherboard, you need to take appropriate precautions. Snapping, cutting, or drilling a motherboard releases a huge amount of toxic dust. Ensure wearing goggles and dust masks just in case.
Recycling Old PC Motherboard Ideas
Moving forward, recycling old computer Motherboards is quite easy yet complicated. However, below are some creative ideas about recycling old Motherboards. However, make sure you take safety precautions and use the correct equipment. You can recycle Motherboards to create,
- Place Mars
- Jewelry
- Floor and wall tiles
- Wall hanging art
- Christmas decorations
- Keyrings
- Bookmark
How To Reassemble An Old Motherboard In a New Cabinet?
A motherboard can be reused but cannot fit into any case. Typically, there are several factors like Micro ATX, MiniITX, and Mid-ATX.
Bigger cases hold certain screw holes, and this can fit motherboards of any size in them. However, smaller cases do not have enough space for bigger boards. Similarly, a mid-ATX case can easily fit into a micro ATX, but a mid-ATX cannot fit into the micro ATX.
Currently, two chief parent form factors exist for Motherboards, namely ATX and BTX. Now, if you hold a BTX case, you can easily work with an ATX board, and it might fit well. However, if you hold an ATX case, BTX boards will be too large to fit.
Hence, full-type ATX cases take every motherboard, from full-size ATX to a mini ITX. All in all, you can fit every motherboard that’s form factor as compared to the case you use.
Besides this, here’s what you can do with an old PC motherboard.
- You can sell it immediately to gain a handful of cash
- You can build a secondary PC
- You can donate it
- You can sell it to an e-recycler who collects and recycles the e-garbage.
Note that model number, year, and the age of the motherboard are the chief considerations that decide what can be done with it.
Steps To Resell Your Motherboard
Follow the steps below to resell your motherboard at ease.
Decide when to resell
This is an important factor to consider. Knowing when to sell it depends on a variety of reasons. You may either want a new motherboard, have different expectations, it might start functioning abnormally, or it might not be technically sound. Under such circumstances, you can hand it over to anyone who is in need of a motherboard or has not seen a computer yet.
Set the price
Up next comes the price. Setting up the price is necessary, and you may either set a fixed, affordable price or a negotiable one. All in all, it must hold a fair price in accordance with the markets.
Go through the resale marketplaces
Generally, many marketplaces are found on the web where you can carry out your resale processes. You may as well donate your motherboard to an e-recycler or look for suitable online marketplaces that are genuine. You can try eBay, Reddit, BuyBackWorld, ItsWorthMore, Amazon Trade-In, PCSwaps, Craigslist, etc. These marketplaces hold a lot of buyers and sellers who trade for your computer parts.
Conclusion
It almost feels like the world has ended when your motherboard dies. Unfortunately, the news is that there are no easy ways to solve this problem. Being fragile, a motherboard can be reused. However, it does not serve the same any longer. In case you are a beginner, you can always connect with a technician to handle your problem. Apparently, the experts will even inform you if your motherboard is in a state of repair or not.
