As games get more advanced, you have to upgrade your custom PC build to keep up. The issue that many people encounter is that they don’t have the budget to make the upgrade possible. They find it difficult because they can no longer use their computer, a valuable asset they own.
When it comes to upgrading, the most logical choice is to sell the old to buy the new. It saves time as you only need a few more resources to get the upgrade you want. However, you must know the best steps you can take so you can sell your items fast and get your dream items right away. Without this information, selling and upgrading can become a frustrating process.
Internal Processes
You’ll need to do several things before selling your gaming PC or its parts. The best approach is to start from the inside (software) out. Here is what we recommend.
Perform a Back-up
The first thing you need to do before you sell your computer is to take care of all the information inside. You want to save all those documents, files, pictures, videos, and anything else you want to keep. People don’t want to buy a secondhand computer that has someone else’s information on it. Spend cash and buy a reliable external hard drive with enough space to hold your precious files.
From there, all you need to do is transfer your files. It may take some time, depending on the size of your transfer. Even high-performance hard drives can take hours when you’re moving many files.
A cloud storage service may also be a good option if you don’t have (or want) an external drive. Remember that these also have limitations, and you may need to pay to extend their storage capacity. Popular options to store your files include Google Drive and Dropbox.
Sign Out of Everything
Gamers have to set up accounts on numerous platforms, not to mention the other services you may have running on your PC. It takes a few minutes to sign out of all your accounts. That way, you won’t have to worry about anyone using your accounts.
While a System Restore can clean your computer of all traces, taking this extra step provides more assurance. One of the more persistent accounts may be your Microsoft Mail. To remove this, go to Emails & Accounts and completely delete them from the device.
Perform a Factory Reset
While you’ve already backed up your files, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any left hidden within the computer. Even deleting them doesn’t completely remove them. Once you uninstall any games or programs, the information of your accounts may still be within the PC. Someone savvy enough could retrieve this information and exploit your details.
You can go around this by using the Factory Reset task available on your PC. You can access this in your settings. Remember that you should already have completed the file backup at this point. Once you perform a factory reset, there is no going back.
The factory reset is essential as it wipes all programs and information from your computer. It resets it as brand new as if the new seller had just bought the unit from a shop.
You can also perform a PC Reset through the Recovery tab within the Update & Security Settings. Select Remove Everything, which will also remove your OS. Make sure it’s in a cloud, USB, or disc to reinstall. Afterward, in the Change Settings options, you’ll see a choice to Clean Data. After selecting this, the computer will completely wipe the hard drive clean.
List Down Your Specifications
Complete details are vital in selling your computer. Check your PC’s system and list down the information there. Buyers will want to know the following details:
- Type of storage and size
- Type of processor and speed
- Motherboard
- Windows OS (or others)
- Graphics card and power
- Monitor display specifications
- Connectivity options (USB, Wi-Fi)
- Power supply
- Case dimensions
External Processes
You’ve secured your files and prevented any possible access to your accounts with your old computer. You’ve also taken the time to know the specs before you sell. The next step is to tackle the PC physically. You’ll want to perform several steps to ensure it is appealing to any potential buyer. Here’s what you need to do.
Clean Your Computer
No one wants to buy a computer that’s dusty and dirty. It’s not appealing and may turn off potential buyers. Purchase compressed air to spray the dust out of the CPU. You can do this in an open area, so it’s easier to clean afterward.
Once you’ve cleaned the interior of the CPU, you can use the remaining air to clean dirt stuck between your keyboard’s keys. Do the same with the rest of your computer.
Afterward, you can use a cloth to wipe everything clean. You should also clean your monitor if you plan to sell other parts other than the CPU.
Add Inexpensive Enhancements
Adding some modifications to your computer can help it look more attractive. One of the best ways to do this is to add LED or RGB lights to make your rig visually pleasing. You can buy kits like these for a low price, and they’re also easy to install. When having trouble, you can look at some online videos to see how others do it.
Where Can I Sell? Online Marketplace Options
Once your PC is ready to sell, the next step is to find a marketplace to advertise it. There are several options available to individual sellers. Each has its pros and cons. It all mainly boils down to preference, so here are your choices.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is one of the most seller-friendly online marketplaces. There are already so many users on Facebook, and your advertisement will reach out to anyone in your vicinity. You can post your listing for free and wait for someone to contact you. The alternative is to do some advertisements, but this will cost extra money, which you may not have — and it’s usually unnecessary.
Nevertheless, a hassle-free advertisement will usually lead to several inquiries. Remember that you’re selling a used item, so you cannot charge it at a brand-new price. You’ll want to keep your asking price at an amount that still leaves room to negotiate.
When someone is interested in your item on Facebook, you’ll usually set up a meeting where they can examine the unit further. Some buyers may not even require a meet-up when you’re a seller with a good reputation on the platform. They can pay by picking up the item at your location or asking you to ship it to theirs. Facebook Marketplace won’t charge you anything for completing the sale, meaning you’re maximizing the terms with the buyer.
eBay
eBay is an option if you want to increase the scope of selling. You’ll be able to reach all users in the country looking for a computer. You also can advertise internationally, provided that you’re prepared to ship your item, and you feel that it is the right market. A prepaid shipping label is one of the options sellers use.
Of course, using eBay does come at a cost. You’re likely paying fees to eBay, as well as taxes.
The most notable advantage that eBay can give you is the larger marketplace, with more people looking at your unit. It increases the chances of someone buying.
However, if you play to sell on eBay, prepare any shipment needs as soon as it sells. Have the proper packaging ready, and use a reliable courier to deliver the item. You can add the shipping costs to the price, so it doesn’t affect your profits. You can then use the remaining money after fees to get the new computer parts you need.
Craigslist
Craigslist isn’t as reliable as it used to be years ago, but it can still be a place to sell. There are always people looking to offload or buy computers on the site. The biggest issue on Craigslist is anonymity. There is a higher risk with the person you’re dealing with as you don’t have the information provided by Facebook, nor do you have eBay’s assurance.
Craigslist deals usually occur in person, and you’ll be advertising locally. Look at your city or state’s page and advertise there. Meeting someone near your area can make for quicker deals, and you get to sell your computer right away. However, it may take some time, depending on the interest.
It’s best to post complete information when posting your ad. Include all specifications you can and put high-quality pictures. It makes conversations and negotiations go faster.
Computer Specific Forums and Trading Websites
There are many other dedicated websites and forums for selling computers. One of the Reddit communities for this is the Computer Bazaar. There’s also Hardware Swap and other smaller subreddits. Some websites focus on buying and selling PC parts or laptops. Some examples are:
- PC Swaps
- Jawa
- SellGPU
You can sell parts here and get a computer deal for a reasonably low price. However, stocks can vary, and the shop usually sets a fixed price for purchasing items.
Local Businesses
Local businesses may not be the first choice, but they can be a way to sell your computer. They’ll usually set a price or ask you how much you’re selling the computer before negotiations start. You can try inquiring at a store that sells used PCs, does repairs or sells computer packages. Some shops love refurbishing or selling old parts in the open market. They will have to sell it at a profit so expect that they will offer you lower prices.
The advantage of selling at a local business is that it is super easy to sell a computer. You get the money immediately and can then focus on buying your next gaming PC.
Tips for Creating Online Listings
Many sellers forget that your listing needs to stand out and catch the attention of a buyer. They also want to understand the information quickly. Giving them the most vital points will help improve your chances of someone purchasing. Here are some tips to help.
Focus on High-quality Photos
Upload photos of your rig, presenting it at its best. Take pictures in a well-lit room and shoot different angles to show a complete picture. It will be the main point of judgment for aesthetics in most cases, so it’s vital to present your best.
There is a fine line between having enough pictures and having too many. Having around five photos is usually ideal. You can take a shot of the entire computer and have supplementary ones showcasing each part. Highlight cool features like RGB, lighted cabling, and customization. Here are some other market photo tips:
- Make sure the area is clean
- Remove any mirrors from the shot, as they can reflect unnecessary parts of the room
- Try to reduce glare from the lighting
Create a Listing
Your headline will be the one that catches the attention of buyers first. By listing all the relevant information, you can have someone go into the listing to look further. Ideally, you want to write the specifications, as it helps with a hassle-free experience. Try to fit in the basics of RAM, graphics, processor, and storage before going into detail in the listing’s body.
After providing more detail in the body, you can also include your contact information, mode of shipping, and payment modes you prefer. It’s a way to make negotiations smoother, as buyers will know what to expect with the purchase.
Your Upgrade Journey Starts Today
The money you get from selling your old gaming PC will go a long way toward funding the next one. Add to that any money you’ve saved, and you have the potential of getting a powerful setup that will serve you for many years to come. Make sure to follow all the steps here to ensure that you’re efficiently managing your time.
When you need a reliable place to sell your gaming PC, look no further than SellGPU. Since 2014, we’ve been one of the best online services available for buying and selling computer parts. We’ll send you all the packing supplies needed for you to ship your computer to our offices. Our team also offers various payment methods, delivering your payment as fast as possible. Visit our website for a free quote, or contact us at (866) 674-0987.
