[Discussion] Is buying RAM second hand a horrible idea?

[ELECTRISK]

Is buying used RAM a bad idea?

 

Looking to save a few bucks on a build with the following specs:

- AMD FX 8350

- Gefore GT 730 2GB (2x)

- Asus M5A97 R2.0

- G.SKILL Ares Series 4GB DDR3 1600 (4x)

- Crucial MX500 500GB 

- Seasonic Focus SSR-450FM

Case not applicable as it's going to be a desk PC

 

Also criticism of my build is appreciated but know that I'm choosing this because I need 6 monitors and I have an almost identical build currently that suits me just fine.

[MimigaKing]

6 minutes ago, ELECTRISK said:

Is buying used RAM a bad idea?

 

Looking to save a few bucks on a build with the following specs:

- AMD FX 8350

- Gefore GT 730 2GB (2x)

- Asus M5A97 R2.0

- G.SKILL Ares Series 4GB DDR3 1600

- Crucial MX500 500GB 

- Seasonic Focus SSR-450FM

Case not applicable as it's going to be a desk PC

 

Also criticism of my build is appreciated but know that I'm choosing this because I need 6 monitors and I have an almost identical build currently that suits me just fine.

I have no problem buying RAM second-hand because it can easily be tested with Memtest86 and that guarantees perfect functionality. 

 

Buying HDD on the other-hand is very much not recommended. 

[ELECTRISK]

Just now, MimigaKing said:

I have no problem buying RAM second-hand because it can easily be tested with Memtest86 and that guarantees perfect functionality. 

 

Buying HDD on the other-hand is very much not recommended. 

I've heard that buying storage (SSD's and HDD's) isn't recommended as the reliability of it, even if functional, is very low. That's why I was questioning the reliability of the RAM, since it's essentially just a volatile & fast SSD.

[Bananasplit_00]

Second hand RAM is fine, RAM is sturdy and lasts a long time 

[Froody129]

RAM is one of the safer things to buy used. Risk of damage is low, it doesn't really degrade and no information stays on it. Go ahead 

[ELECTRISK]

2 minutes ago, Froody129 said:

RAM is one of the safer things to buy used. Risk of damage is low, it doesn't really degrade and no information stays on it. Go ahead 

Why doesn't RAM degrade like other forms of flash storage?

[Tristerin]

RAM typically has a very robust warranty now-a-days.  Years ago it felt like planned obsolesce was a thing, I don't feel like it is as much anymore.

[RoseLuck462]

Is there any way you can get 8gb RAM? Or is this build for light mining?

[ELECTRISK]

2 minutes ago, RoseLuck462 said:

Is there any way you can get 8gb RAM? Or is this build for light mining?

Oh sorry, I forgot to mention I'll be getting 4 of those 4gb modules, totaling at 16GB.

Fixed in OP.

[Dash Lambda]

28 minutes ago, ELECTRISK said:

Why doesn't RAM degrade like other forms of flash storage?

'Cause it's not flash storage.

 

Flash uses floating-gate transistors, which it charges and discharges to change the data, kind'a like a battery. And, like a battery, they have a limited number of charge cycles, which means there's a very definite lifespan.

 

HDDs are mechanical devices, and reliability tends to decrease as you add more moving parts, so they also have a limited lifetime. They'd probably last longer if you could service them, but the media is so sensitive that it has to be hermetically sealed to work for any reasonable length of time.

 

RAM is made of latches, which don't hold a charge or anything like that. It's actually closer to the circuitry in a processor than in an SSD, and RAM degrades even slower than processors because there isn't much power going through it.

[dalekphalm]

1 hour ago, ELECTRISK said:

Is buying used RAM a bad idea?

 

Looking to save a few bucks on a build with the following specs:

- AMD FX 8350

- Gefore GT 730 2GB (2x)

- Asus M5A97 R2.0

- G.SKILL Ares Series 4GB DDR3 1600 (4x)

- Crucial MX500 500GB 

- Seasonic Focus SSR-450FM

Case not applicable as it's going to be a desk PC

 

Also criticism of my build is appreciated but know that I'm choosing this because I need 6 monitors and I have an almost identical build currently that suits me just fine.

Not at all. In fact, buying 2nd hand RAM can save you a lot of money.

 

Here's the thing - RAM doesn't fail very often. So if you buy from a place like eBay, you'll get protection to know the RAM won't be DOA (dead on arrival) - and if it is, you can either get a refund or a replacement (if available).

 

The odds of the RAM working on arrival and dying later? Very unlikely.

 

Next: Many RAM companies gave out lifetime warranties. Often they don't ask for proof of purchase. Therefore even if it did die, there's a chance you could get it replaced directly.

[wasab]

I can't recycle ddr3 Rams in my next build. Shame. 

[Guest]

You’ll be right, as with anything second hand, test before you buy and always cash deals.

[dalekphalm]

11 hours ago, floofer said:

You’ll be right, as with anything second hand, test before you buy and always cash deals.

Cash, or cash equivalent. BTC or Interac e-transfer (It's a Canadian thing) are also just as good as cash.

 

The primary benefit to either of them, is that you cannot reverse the transaction. Therefore, assuming both parties saw the RAM working and agreed upon the condition, the sale is final.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, dalekphalm said:

Cash, or cash equivalent. BTC or Interac e-transfer (It's a Canadian thing) are also just as good as cash.

 

The primary benefit to either of them, is that you cannot reverse the transaction. Therefore, assuming both parties saw the RAM working and agreed upon the condition, the sale is final.

Just for the buyer, you can’t reverse it, but always pay when you finish testing it. There’s a lot of scammers out there.

[dalekphalm]

15 minutes ago, floofer said:

Just for the buyer, you can’t reverse it, but always pay when you finish testing it. There’s a lot of scammers out there.

Yep. Never buy without testing, unless it's on eBay or another site that has excellent buyer protections.

 

In person buys? Always get the owner to test it in front you, in person - or better yet, do the testing yourself if they'll let you.