[SOLVED] Are there tools to test computer parts before you purchase them on a resale market like Craigslist?

[Collective15]

Hey all, I build gaming computers on the side with parts that I've sourced from Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Letgo. As I am buying the parts second-hand, I want to make sure they work before purchase. I thought my only option was to plug said part into an actual computer and check from there. Recently I learned that there is a small little tool that you can plug into a PSU that will test if it's working! That is so convenient! Do they make tools like this for other computer components like the CPU, GPU, Ram, Mobo, SSD, and HDD?

As a side note, I am only working with products within the last three years; therefor testing for floppy or 20pin mobos isn't necessary.

 

[CountMike]

Hey all, I build gaming computers on the side with parts that I've sourced from Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Letgo. As I am buying the parts second-hand, I want to make sure they work before purchase. I thought my only option was to plug said part into an actual computer and check from there. Recently I learned that there is a small little tool that you can plug into a PSU that will test if it's working! That is so convenient! Do they make tools like this for other computer components like the CPU, GPU, Ram, Mobo, SSD, and HDD?

As a side note, I am only working with products within the last three years; therefor testing for floppy or 20pin mobos isn't necessary.

Before you get them there's only seller's word and assurance.
For PSU you have many like this one https://www.amazon.com/Computer-PC-...CGG9F0GRC3J&psc=1&refRID=44EEHSHEVCGG9F0GRC3J
Although cheap testers show voltages only without load.

For MB, something like this if PCI port exists
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-pci tester.html
GPU and Ram, only plugging them in a known good and compatible system and running appropriate tests can tel you if they work right.
For SSDs and HDDs same thing but many tools lke HDD sentinel https://www.hdsentinel.com/download.php for instance.

 

[Collective15]

Before you get them there's only seller's word and assurance.
For PSU you have many like this one https://www.amazon.com/Computer-PC-...CGG9F0GRC3J&psc=1&refRID=44EEHSHEVCGG9F0GRC3J
Although cheap testers show voltages only without load.

For MB, something like this if PCI port exists
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-pci tester.html
GPU and Ram, only plugging them in a known good and compatible system and running appropriate tests can tel you if they work right.
For SSDs and HDDs same thing but many tools lke HDD sentinel https://www.hdsentinel.com/download.php for instance.

Thank you! So, a few questions in response.

1. Do you think that Amazon PSU tester is a good product? Or is it a cheap one that shows voltage without load?

2. Will that work with a PCIe slot as well? I'm not too familiar with the difference between the two ports. If so, I will try to find something similar on Amazon. I did find this online and it seems to be fairly popular. https://www.amazon.com/Desktop-Comp...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

For the rest of the hardware, thanks! That makes a lot of sense. Thank you!

 

[CountMike]

Thank you! So, a few questions in response.

1. Do you think that Amazon PSU tester is a good product? Or is it a cheap one that shows voltage without load?

2. Will that work with a PCIe slot as well? I'm not too familiar with the difference between the two ports. If so, I will try to find something similar on Amazon. I did find this online and it seems to be fairly popular. https://www.amazon.com/Desktop-Computer-Motherboard-Diagnostic-Analyzer/dp/B072QSQQKT/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1EPVDOAGAMCH6&dchild=1&keywords=motherboard+tester&qid=1592154600&s=electronics&sprefix=motherboard+test,electronics,183&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFKVjM2TFhSRTkwMVgmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA5Mzk4MDExRTdDSTZQSU9XNkkmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDQzNzY2NTMxSkNaNFVaWFk1NiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

For the rest of the hardware, thanks! That makes a lot of sense. Thank you!

1. All those PSU testers are good enough to see if PSU works at all and gives right voltages but there's more to PSUs than just those ekemntary functions. It takes much more sophisticated equipment to judge it's stability under load and quality of power.
2. No, PCI and PCIe are not interchangeable. it takes something like this https://www.passmark.com/products/pcie-test-card/ to test from PCIe slot.