Buying used PC, need advice. + old laptops price check

[Arctikuma]

Hi experts,

Is it a good idea buying an used PC? Lots of people on this forum are looking for a brand new build and the latest technology. Me included, I was planning to spend AUD$1500 (USD$1130) to build a new system once intel skylake cpu is released. But I think "hey, old tech must make way to the new. Why not buying an used system as long as it's still running well?" Then, I found the following gaming station from a local ad website. It's sold for AUD$650 (USD$490). In addition, the CPU i5-2500k is positioned the same as the latest i5-4690k on Toms' hierarchy chart, I suppose they must produce somewhat similar real-world performance.

Obliviously I will have to inspect the computer in person. But I don't really have much idea of what to focus on. E.g. which softwares needed, what CPU/GPU temps to expect, etc etc. Let say you have 10mins to play with the following PC. What would you do?

Also the seller is okay with trading it for laptops. I've 3 old laptops.
1. Dell Studio 1747, 17", i7-720QM, Mobile Radeon HD 4650
2. Fujitsu Lifebook LH530, 14", i3-330M
3. Sony VAIO, 10", atom N450.
How much do they worth now?

The components can be sold separately. What would you pick from the pool? and at what price (usd/aud)?

Monitor: LG 23" (http:??www.lg.com?us?monitors?lg-E2342V-BN-led-monitor) ;

Keyboard: Roccat Isku (http:??www.roccat.org?us-en?Products?Gaming-Keyboards?Isku-Series?Isku?)

Mouse: http:??www.trust.com?en?all-products?18188-gxt-31-gaming-mouse

Cpu: Intel i-5 2500k 3.30 to 3.70

Ram: 8 Gb Corsar Vengeance

Graphic Card: Radeon r9 270 (2 motnh old with box and receive)

MotherBoard:Gygabyte b75m (2 motnh old with box and receive)

HDD1: 2TB Kingstone

HDD2: 1TB

HDD3:150GB ssD Samsung

Cooling: Coolermaster v8

Case: Antec

PSU: VS650 shown on the picture

 

[USAFRet]

1. OS. Does it come with the actual install media, license key, and COA? If not, then you need to buy your own OS for it. Don't rely on whatever the previous owner has on there.

2. SSD - 150GB is a rather odd size, so I'm expecting it to be an old drive.

3. GPU - While it may only be 2 months old, it is a rather old GPU.

Not bad for the price. You'll want to change that GPU.
And if you do buy it, your first move should be a full wipe and reinstall. For your protection as well as theirs. You never know what the previous owner(s) had in there.

 

[USAFRet]

Also the seller is okay with trading it for laptops. I've 3 old laptops.
1. Dell Studio 1747, 17", i7-720QM, Mobile Radeon HD 4650
2. Fujitsu Lifebook LH530, 14", i3-330M
3. Sony VAIO, 10", atom N450.
How much do they worth now?

Dell + $100 to trade for the desktop
Fujutsu + $250 to trade for the desktop
Sony = square frisbee

 

[Arctikuma]

Thank you for the quick replies. LOL@square frisbee. I run ubuntu with it, it really isn't too bad. + it's a stylish looking frisbee. =)
It's okay to buy a new OS and upgrade a few component, but if it ends up adding USD$4-500, I might as well buy a new one.

The seller said that the components are for individual sale. Which part is good to grab? and at what price?

And as for the inspection, is it safe to say that if it runs, and there's no weird noise/heat, it's good to go?

 

[USAFRet]

Thank you for the quick replies. LOL@square frisbee. I run ubuntu with it, it really isn't too bad. + it's a stylish looking frisbee. =)
It's okay to buy a new OS and upgrade a few component, but if it ends up adding USD$4-500, I might as well buy a new one.

The seller said that the components are for individual sale. Which part is good to grab? and at what price?

And as for the inspection, is it safe to say that if it runs, and there's no weird noise/heat, it's good to go?

The other unknown part is the PSU. Wattage and quality (make/model). Putting in a new GPU may require a different PSU. Or it may just be a crappy one, which needs replacing anyway.

If you're not using the laptops, I'd see what he wants to do for a trade.