PC packaging for shipping?

KangUsapEmenq · November 1, 2020

A friend of mine asked me to sell his old PC, i3-2120, GT730, 4GB of RAM, no storage (means I don't have to worry about HDD getting damaged on shipping, except if the buyer actually asked one), and just normal case + PSU combo in the shape of old case design.

Spoiler

I wanna hear from you guys that's actually ever did ship their PCs to somewhere else. Is it arrived save and sound? Yes, I already did watch various videos from Linus, and some another YouTuber and this one either.
Do I actually have to remove the GPU (that small and lightweight actually) and pack it separately but would be still inside one box? I mean, for example if I use a case box, I pack the GPU separately on another smaller box BUT that smaller box woulda be inside the case box, if possible. Or, just slipping papers as number 3.
On Linus' video, well, he recommends to remove the CPU cooler as it can make some tension on the motherboard on the go. But actually I see this kind of unpractical for the buyer that have to re-paste (that I just recently freshly pasted) the CPU again. Well, actually thought slipping a lot of papers inside it would be helping somehow. Go with this if it happen?
Assume if the buyer asked for a storage drive have to installed. If the buyer would ask for a SSD, well, not a problem as I can just place it inside and it can handle any torture on shipping anyway, but problem is if that's a HDD, how can I ship those too safely?

This is my first time actually to potentially have to ship it. And, yes, the same guy who asked me to sell this PC, actually bought another used PC (higher spec, ofc) and, bent on the case (despite he said it's a real thick packaging, without wooden package tho), and on the first boot after he unbox his PC, the GPU isn't detected, and as I assume, it kind of came loose on the PCI-e slot and he have to replug it. Fortunately the PC's fine and there's no any component damage.

Thanks for any answer, might be helping.

Moonzy · November 1, 2020

1) never experience, so what i say may not apply

2) that GPU is fine, it's very lightweight and i cant see it causing any issues

3) stock heatsinks are fine, they're low profile and lightweight, not much strain on the motherboard

4) as long as it's properly mounted, it should be fine

if you have the original box with foam and such, use that

if not, just package the PC like how case manufacturers deliver their cases, and you should be fine.

2JZT100 · November 25, 2020

I ordered a custom creator system from IBUYPOWER the day the 3080 dropped. It arrived damaged 6-weeks later. I paid $40 extra for the "super safe GPU packaging" Turns out it's the same foam they put in all their systems. GPU was the MSI Ventus 3x OC, very heavy. Packaging was completely inadequate. Shipping was California to Michigan. Not sure if that makes a difference. Arrived with a snapped off GPU tab and the PCI slot looked crooked, no post. I had ordered the ASRock X570 TaiChi. I bought into the the "steel reinforced" PCI slot for heavy GPU's. Looks to be entirely marketing. There's a metal cap over the PCI slot. No amount of reinforcing is going on. It's for looks only. I'm sort of happy with IBUYPOWER's customer service. I know it's the COVID computer apocalypse. I'm giving them credit for trying. These monster cards just cant be shipped installed. No amount of packaging can account for the risk involved. They offered a full refund or repair. No replacement is available anywhere with the same specs for less than a $1000 premium. I went ahead with repair. Shipped back to California. It's still sitting on their shelf while their tech staff is off for Thanksgiving. It may require a new GPU and MOBO, $1000 damage that didn't have to happen. I asked them to ship it back with the GPU uninstalled. I've been waiting for LTT or GN to do a video about this sort of thing.

WoodenMarker · November 25, 2020

31 minutes ago, 2JZT100 said:

I ordered a custom creator system from IBUYPOWER the day the 3080 dropped. It arrived damaged 6-weeks later. I paid $40 extra for the "super safe GPU packaging" Turns out it's the same foam they put in all their systems I've been waiting for LTT or GN to do a video about this sort of thing.

Expanding foam should be enough to keep the graphics card in place but there's a chance the foam may have not expanded properly in the right places.

Did you mean this video?