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00:00:00 – 00:26:16
The YouTube video explores the benefits of buying open box items at Micro Center over used or new products from marketplaces. The content creator discusses cost savings, return policies, and components like GPUs, motherboards, and power supplies. By opting for open box items, the presenter successfully builds a PC with quality components, saving money and emphasizing the potential for future upgrades. The process involves careful selection, inspection, and consideration of factors like pricing, compatibility, and build quality to achieve a cost-effective and functional PC build.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the YouTuber is at Micro Center discussing open box items as an alternative to risky marketplace or credit purchases. Micro Center offers a 30-day return policy on all PC components, including CPUs. Open box items are products returned for various reasons, such as affordability issues, buyer’s remorse, or testing for overclocking performance. Micro Center inspects and tests these items, discounting them due to being no longer brand new. The YouTuber highlights shady practices where buyers exploit return policies for better performing components. Despite these risks, purchasing from a reputable brick-and-mortar store like Micro Center provides recourse if items are found to be damaged or not working properly.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the content creator discusses the benefits of buying open box items over used products from a marketplace. They explain that open box items are usually priced higher than used ones but lower than new products, making them a good option for those looking for discounts. The content creator then explores shopping for a GPU at a store, emphasizing the significant price cut on open box items. They show an MSI RTX 460 TI GPU that was originally priced at $514.99 but is now discounted to $463, resulting in a $51 savings. The content creator also highlights the store’s return policy, mentioning that the store accepts returns within 30 days and will take back items even if they are missing components. Lastly, they conduct an inspection of the GPU, noting its good condition and lack of dust, and mention that customers can request to inspect items in-store with the assistance of associates.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the reasons why GPUs are often returned, mostly due to customers wanting more powerful options. Open box items, like GPUs and motherboards, are sought after for potential savings. The discussion then shifts to motherboards, specifically focusing on Intel motherboards being more susceptible to damage due to their LGA design with pins on the board. The speaker aims to find a motherboard for an Intel Core i7-14700K CPU and highlights an MSI Pro z690 motherboard priced at $95 but marked as incomplete, potentially missing components. The return policy for motherboards involves inspecting for damage before reselling.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the presenter examines open box components without plugging in or conducting a post test. The pins of the CPU appear to be in good condition, with various accessories found in the box. Despite missing some items, the presenter considers the savings from buying open box components such as the CPU and motherboard. They opt for a DDR4 board over DDR5 due to pricing and brand preferences. The presenter highlights the significant savings made so far and plans to continue exploring open box options for additional components like RAM and a case.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, the presenter discusses open box items at Microcenter, specifically focusing on power supplies. They compare a 650W for $63.95 and an 850W for $71, emphasizing the importance of forward compatibility for bigger GPUs. The 850W is recommended for $7 more due to its potential to support higher power GPU models in the future. The presenter also points out that the 850W Power Spec power supply is fully modular and mentions the benefit of being able to return it to the store if any issues arise because it is a Microcenter in-house brand. The video highlights the savings on the power supply as part of a cost-saving build.
00:15:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the process of selecting parts for a PC build. They mention looking for open box deals and explore a be quiet! Pure Rock 2 cooler that was returned, revealing it to be unused. The video then transitions to considering cases, where the speaker highlights two models they’re considering: a Lian Li Lancool 216 tempered glass case at $79 and a 205 mesh tempered glass ATX case in white at $71. The decision-making process is influenced by factors such as pricing, size, build quality, and potential for future upgrades.
00:18:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses fitting larger components into the build and then proceeds to open the components. They mention the savings achieved by purchasing open-box items and detail the components purchased, including the CPU, RAM, and storage. They opt for faster RAM and a Gen 4 NVMe drive from Crucial. The speaker emphasizes that despite using open-box items, they did not compromise on quality. The total price of the build is $1,194.45, and there is a note about a 12th gen board requiring a BIOS flash.
00:21:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the process of building a PC with a total estimated cost of $1,194. Important points covered include issues encountered during the build, such as missing fan clips and O-rings, but these did not prevent the PC from being functional. They also highlight the BIOS build date and settings related to power limits for the 13700 K CPU. Additionally, the speaker mentions the installation of RAM and verifying the drive is recognized.
00:24:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker talks about assembling a computer using the CT100 P3 Plus SSD. They mention not installing Windows due to budget constraints and highlight the availability of OS options, including using free open-source like Linux. The speaker expresses satisfaction with the build, including RGB fans but notes the red power cables as an eyesore. They discuss future compatibility with the ATX 3.0 plug and potential GPU upgrades. Additionally, they emphasize the advantage of buying open-box items for potential returns if there are issues. The build is successful, saving $223 compared to buying new components.