Used CPUs are generallya safe purchase, as CPUs can easily outlast their usefulness.
Even if the CPU was overclocked, a mild overclock is unlikely to have done any permanent damage.
I’ve been rocking overclocked CPUs since 2017, and I have yet to see one die on me.
you’re free to never know if someone is trying to sell you a broken chip.
Refurbished chips are slightly safer, but they’re not without issues.
Fortunately, I was able to ship it back and get my money back the same day.
Your mileage may vary.
Just check that the CPU you’re buying iscompatible with your system.
These older CPUs typically provide7090% of the performanceof the latest-gen CPU at a fraction of the price.
Now, whether a CPU with or without a cooler is a better deal is up to you.
Instead of looking at the brand, make a list of all CPUs that fall within your budget.
Look at someCPU benchmarksrelevant to your use case (e.g.
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gaming or productivity), and buy the CPU that performs the best.
Of course, if the price and performance difference is minimal, you have the luxury of choice.
Also, don’t forget about CPU temperatures and power draw when looking at benchmarks!
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Just like with stock CPU coolers, both AMD and Intel offer CPUs that come without integrated graphics.
you’re free to identify these models by the “F” suffix in their names.
Just double-check that the deal you’re getting through the bundle is actually saving you money.
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In addition to bundles, pay attention to sales.
Retailers frequently run random sales.
Account For Future-Proofing
It’s a good idea to account for future-proofing when building a new system.
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Buying a new CPU is never easy, but hopefully, I’ve cleared up some misconceptions.
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