Could old hardware collect in the future yield value and money ?

[Animalpak]

I have noticed in the country where I live there are many people who cheaply sell graphic cards that were once very expensive in working conditions.

Also some rare motherboards from Asus.

For me a good collection of old videocards is just a nice thing to have and be proud especially if they are all working fine.

What are your thoughts ?

image as example

 

[silentbogo]

Not really... It may only retain value if it was either rare or unique.
For example, EVGA SR2 motherboards, or some dual-gpu cards...
You may try and sell some old high-end cards to some local overclockers (perfect for periodic HWBot challenges and contests), but otherwise it's just a pile of hardware that's gonna depreciate over time.

 

[Frick]

In 20 years time entire systems could be worth a bit.

 

[dorsetknob]

What are your thoughts ?

As with all things there is someone who will collect
value its what someone is prepaired to pay

 

[Vayra86]

In 20 years time entire systems could be worth a bit.

This, but I doubt that is the same for our current hardware. The early days of computing were unique because of all their limitations and also possibilities. The commercialization of the past two decades has removed those aspects. Its tech for the masses now anyway.

 

[Outback Bronze]

I think this a seriously valid question.

How much is the first apple pc now??

Ive seen the first Intel extreme editions starting to go for a pretty penny. They are not even vintage yet.

Anyways, I do collect a few video cards as well but only the ones that I have grown up with.

If they don't come in the original retail box with matching serials then I'm not interested. The boxes are harder to find than the cards themselves...

And hey, I just love hardware : )

 

[Frick]

This, but I doubt that is the same for our current hardware. The early days of computing were unique because of all their limitations and also possibilities. The commercialization of the past two decades has removed those aspects. Its tech for the masses now anyway.

Complete and functioning Pentium II/iii based systems cost a bit these days, and they were mass produced. Not on the scale of todsy obviously, but still. And by "bit" I mean so much as to make it worth it to sell as opposed to scrap them.

 

[StrayKAT]

In 20 years time entire systems could be worth a bit.

Why is that?

I mean, I don't see that happening now. Old workstations that used to cost an arm and a leg now could be had for nothing on ebay. It's actually kind of sad.

 

[Aquinus]

Ive seen the first Intel extreme editions starting to go for a pretty penny. They are not even vintage yet.

Yet chips like the 3960x can be had for under 100 USD, SR0KF varients no less (which means C2 stepping where VT-d works.)

 

[StrayKAT]

SGI Octane... $329

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SGI-SILICO...841038?hash=item1cb54d864e:g:VH4AAOSwnHZYem0a


These were almost $20,000 brand new.

edit: Shit, that's 250mhz.. I think that was more like 30k.

 

[Outback Bronze]

Yet chips like the 3960x can be had for under 100 USD, SR0KF varients no less (which means C2 stepping where VT-d works.)

In the original retail box? If so, that's a bloody good price.

 

[Aquinus]

In the original retail box? If so, that's a bloody good price.

Are you planning on installing the box?

 

[Outback Bronze]

Yep, they are a bit of a pain to install

 

[StrayKAT]

What really sucks about old computers compared to how it was before is that the road keeps changing (i.e. the internet). Things stop even running or displaying. It used to be that you could keep an old commodore or early PC around for years and not worry about that kind of thing.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I think this a seriously valid question.

How much is the first apple pc now??

The big key word there is "first". If none of your stuff is the "first" of its kind, it is not going to be worth saving for 20 years (or even 10). And it is NOT about the first new NVIDIA or AMD GPU, or first new AMD or Intel CPU either. Those companies are putting out new models all the time - by the millions! And they are all basically the same. They fit the same PCIe slots, use the same voltages and support the same OS and programs. That is, there is nothing historically revolutionary (or evolutionary) about them.

Now if you had the very "first" NVIDIA or ATI graphics card ever, in pristine condition, that would be worth something. Or the very first Intel or AMD CPU - or the very first LCD computer monitor, those would be museum worthy components. Those would be worth something. Same with the very "first" (or last!) AGP graphics card.

It is not like vintage cars that you could then restore and actually use. That is, antique cars can still be functional and enjoyed by all. Kids of all ages still enjoy seeing a fully restored Cord or Duesenberg rolling down Main Street in the annual Veteran's Day Parade. What can you do with a 20 year old computer? Run 20 year old programs? Maybe.

One of the bigger problems in 20 years would be the demand for such vintage computer parts. Who's going to want them and be willing to pay top dollar for them? Very few people and at that point, they will not be looking to pay top dollar for used parts. They would be looking for new, still sealed in the original packaging (with disks and documentation) components.

I say keep your last 1 or 2 cards as working spares (1 AMD and 1 NVIDIA), then take the rest to a proper electronics recycling center along with your old RAM, processors, motherboards, keyboards and mice, drives, cases, power supplies, printers, and LCD (not CRT) monitors. If lucky like I was, they will actually pay you for the scrap value of the aluminum and steel (based only on weight), and any precious metals from the RAM and processors.

Note I said "not" CRT monitors. I say that because my local electronics recycling center reported environmental protection laws and procedures for safely recovering mercury is too complex and expensive. There is a tiny drop of mercury in each cathode ray "tube". When I took 6 old CRT monitors to my recycling center, they wanted me to pay them $10 each to take them off my hands.

So I lugged them back home, printed a "FREE" sign, taped it to a monitor and lugged it out to the curb. By the time I was taking the 3rd monitor out, someone was loading the first 2 into his truck. He helped with the last 3 and I ended up with a new bedroom in my basement where my old parts store room used to be.

 

[Devon68]

Maybe the limited edition Star wars Titan cards in 50 years or so. But as hardware goes, the price usually goes down. If I were to collect it, it would be because I love to do so not for making a profit. My dram job would be a system builder sitting in a warehouse full of components and build Pc's all day long.

 

[Frick]

Why is that?

I mean, I don't see that happening now. Old workstations that used to cost an arm and a leg now could be had for nothing on ebay. It's actually kind of sad.

I see it happening, but it really depends on how you define "a bit".

SGI Octane... $329

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SGI-SILICO...841038?hash=item1cb54d864e:g:VH4AAOSwnHZYem0a


These were almost $20,000 brand new.

edit: Shit, that's 250mhz.. I think that was more like 30k.

Like here, but it depends on how you look at it. Hardware will never ever be an investment (except for DDR3, but that is am outlier), but I'd say $329 is quite a lot of money for old hardware. I doubt he'll get that, but still.

 

[MIRTAZAPINE]

Generally hardware cost would go down rather than appreciate in value as programmes grew in computing requirement like need more cpu speed, ram or etc.
Hardware price to appreciate for certain need products like the dual socket like EVGA SR2 for example where you can overclock two xeon cpu at the same time.

Recently I started beginning to build a windows 98 system, I was rather late buying the asrock agp motherboard on newegg and it sold out. In the end went to ebay having two pay doubled the price. For legacy compatibility system like windows 98 for example there is a market in there as parts like those are dwindling. For the motherboard I was looking for the price was higher than its "actual" current day useful computing power. Whether it would be fetch thousand of dollars is anybody guess most likely not. Maybe legacy parts in the future is so rare by then that legacy system builders or collector maybe willing to pay it, can't say for sure. What I am sure there is always a niche for people wanting actual hardware.

I would say keep computer hardware in working condition for your personal history. I see quite alot of the last generation of Windows Xp supporting card there like the 780ti for example. Most powerful WIndows Xp supported card around. It does give parallel like windows 98 collecters wanting the agp nvidia 6800 ultra for windows 98, most powerful card for win98 which are rare and fetch abit of penny for now.

I do wish old programmes can emulated well or vm well but not all hardware is easily done so.

 

[RejZoR]

Mass produced goods will never gain any value unless it was super iconic and there is not many examples left in the wild. Like first Commodore, first Atari, first Amiga, first Apple, first Intel's x86 CPU etc... And even there, they don't gain ridiculous values. Most of stuff just becomes a valueless paperweight to be honest.

 

[Liquid Cool]

I remembering asking about the same question when I started collecting coins as a young lad. I was quickly confronted by several elders in the numismatic circle I found myself in. Are you collecting for the pleasure of it...a hobby...or trying to make a killing? If a killing is what you had in mind, you probably should head elsewhere. I never asked that question again.

Best,

Liquid Cool

 

[RevengE]

I’ll sell you my GTX 660ti for 1,000,000

 

[Animalpak]

I’ll sell you my GTX 660ti for 1,000,000

I think somethink that was flagship for the era can gain value... For example GTX 8800 Ultra, HD 3780 X2, GTX 480/580, GTX 295, GTX 590, GTX 690, GTX TITAN Z.

All with the concept of the highest performance, all cards that we dreamed about but never had the chance to afford when launched.

Or some rare vendors versions.

Like the ARES I/ ARES II series from Republic of gamers, also MARS series. EVGA co-op GTX 275.

Im concentrating on graphics cards yes but also some motherboards were powerful and prestigious too.

 

[StrayKAT]

I remembering asking about the same question when I started collecting coins as a young lad. I was quickly confronted by several elders in the numismatic circle I found myself in. Are you collecting for the pleasure of it...a hobby...or trying to make a killing? If a killing is what you had in mind, you probably should head elsewhere. I never asked that question again.

Best,

Liquid Cool

That could be a cool hobby, I think.. Plus it's not as cumbersome as computers. edit: Or hell, most collectible things.

 

[Jetster]

Not many things lose value as fast as computer hardware. It's not an investment. However if you enjoy collecting it it's great hobby but don't expect any return. Situations like an old system going for crazy money are rare. Very very rare

 

[Bill_Bright]

I think somethink that was flagship for the era can gain value...

Nah! Not really. Again, what would a user do with it? Play old games? Very few people are in to old electronics for nostalgia purposes. Instead, they want what will give the most bang for their buck for today's programs. Only the "first"of its kind will (or rather, "might") gain value.