Do you buy refurbished motherboards?

[construktor]

Currently newegg is offering refurbs for $155 CAD free shipping:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/182460130664?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

There's no better deal up north, they usually sell for $215+

The whole refurb and limited RMA period is usually not a concern for personal use stuff, but with mining I'm trying to get the best value ROI, not just the best ROI if chances of 10-20% of these boards dying on me later..

I'm just about to pull the trigger on these before it's too late.

[Marvell1]

nah i did a few times had nothing but trouble with them, I buy motherboards and PSU's new only buy used proccessors, ram , and GPUs that are still in warranty

[construktor]

nah i did a few times had nothing but trouble with them, I buy motherboards and PSU's new only buy used proccessors, ram , and GPUs that are still in warranty

Thanks for the feedback. I was about to buy and I told myself I better ask first.. New they go for 225 + shipping - OEM version is also out of question because of the BIOS. It's hard to gauge the value against a Biostar TB85. Rack setups can definitely benefit, but if I stay small for now and open air, with some 2500W server PSUs powering 2 of them.. that also seems good.

I've been purchasing second hand GPUs and having good luck with them so far, fingers crossed.

[philipma1957]

yeah refurbished mobos are nothing but trouble.

I rather get a refurbished card then a refurbished mobo.

[adaseb]

I only bought refurbished motherboards and never had an issue.

They put the motherboards through major tests to make sure they are working fine. Sometimes buying refurbished is better than new since those aren't tested.

Plus you usually get 30-60 days warranty if something is wrong. And most places accept returns within 7-14 days or so.

The only computer part not to buy refurbished are hard drives.

[construktor]

I only bought refurbished motherboards and never had an issue.

They put the motherboards through major tests to make sure they are working fine. Sometimes buying refurbished is better than new since those aren't tested.

Plus you usually get 30-60 days warranty if something is wrong. And most places accept returns within 7-14 days or so.

The only computer part not to buy refurbished are hard drives.

That's a valid point, do you guys have any direct experience with refurb M5s' ?

[64dimensions]

I have purchased refurbed and used MB's off of ebay with no problem.

My phase 1 MB was the ASUS Z87 with 5 pci slot. A great MB.

Two things should be checked on a used/refurbished mother board:

1) The bios version. This is critical because bios may not be in sync with whatever version of windows your using or the particular processor model installed. I have purchased Z87's with the oldest bios rev.

2) Bent pins in the processor socket. As long as the pin(s) aren't broken, they can be fixed with a 20X magnifier, a stiff wire tool and patience.


MB anecdotes:

a) I purchased a used MB that appeared to be dead. It was missing a crucial jumper.

b)  Cranky MB: as a last resort, pull the battery, clear the on board CMOS memory and boot.


One Asus Z87 had a bad 1st DRAM socket, but this MB allows putting the DRAM in any DRAM socket.

[construktor]

I have purchased refurbed and used MB's off of ebay with no problem.

My phase 1 MB was the ASUS Z87 with 5 pci slot. A great MB.

Two things should be checked on a used/refurbished mother board:

1) The bios version. This is critical because bios may not be in sync with whatever version of windows your using or the particular processor model installed. I have purchased Z87's with the oldest bios rev.

2) Bent pins in the processor socket. As long as the pin(s) aren't broken, they can be fixed with a 20X magnifier, a stiff wire tool and patience.


MB anecdotes:

a) I purchased a used MB that appeared to be dead. It was missing a crucial jumper.

b)  Cranky MB: as a last resort, pull the battery, clear the on board CMOS memory and boot.


One Asus Z87 had a bad 1st DRAM socket, but this MB allows putting the DRAM in any DRAM socket.

Thanks for the tips, I'll check BIOS version right away and update to latest before trying to run 7 GPUs 

I went ahead and got two of those boards. I'm rushing to get enough GPUs to test them out fully in the 15 day refund period imposed for anything other than RMA, but with just a little luck they should run fine.

[xxcsu]

I built a lot of custom system with refurb motherboard in the past 10-15 years , when my customers priority was a "good" system for a cheaper price .
Never had a problem with them , except one 3-4 weeks ago from ebay. i inspected the mobo right away after i received , and found a few bent cpu pin , contacted the seller he offered me to send another one or refund my money.
Also if you are paying with PP , you receiving a buyer protection
In the last couple of months I built mining rigs from refurb or used parts , all rigs are still up running without any problem.

[construktor]

Just thought I'd give an update on my luck with the refurb M5's - Not good..

I just spent all night fighting the first one. The horror started as soon as I launched the BIOS, it completely freezes up upon entering any of the menus.. even the M-Flash utility freezes so I was unable to update it.

I cleared CMOS, no changes, this is with NO GPU on the board, just using onboard HDMI and Pentium CPU..

I was able to install windows none the less. So far, unable to get 7 GPUs detected. When I have all 7 connected, I only detect 2. The most I got to so far is 4, with one only capable of mining at 4Mh/s - I tried connecting display to it, but it did not fix the speeds.

Since I can't change BIOS settings, or flash it to a new version, I have no choice but to send this one back. Going to test the second one now see what happens.

[evakka]

Just thought I'd give an update on my luck with the refurb M5's - Not good..

I just spent all night fighting the first one. The horror started as soon as I launched the BIOS, it completely freezes up upon entering any of the menus.. even the M-Flash utility freezes so I was unable to update it.

I cleared CMOS, no changes, this is with NO GPU on the board, just using onboard HDMI and Pentium CPU..

I was able to install windows none the less. So far, unable to get 7 GPUs detected. When I have all 7 connected, I only detect 2. The most I got to so far is 4, with one only capable of mining at 4Mh/s - I tried connecting display to it, but it did not fix the speeds.

Since I can't change BIOS settings, or flash it to a new version, I have no choice but to send this one back. Going to test the second one now see what happens.

For sure you have to send it back!
If it was freezing in bios you shouldn't go ahead with windows installation. You spend your time...

[construktor]

@evakka, You're right but I also felt my GPUs are wasting time. Now I am stuck waiting for NewEgg to start the return process, so in meantime at least I have 4 GPUs mining on it, better than having it idle.

I have a couple more Biostart MOBOs on the way, once they arrive I will be able to pack this one up for replacement or refund, depending on what they offer.

Just woke up from a nap, very short one, but just enough energy to go and test this second M5 refurb and hope for better results!

[acostaja]

Unless you're handy on H/W issues (as miss configuration, jumper settings, cmos battery) keep away Refurb Mobos, is not the same as a refurb Phone, when someone returns a Mobo is due some issue either inherent to the MoBo (manufaturing deffects) or caused by them (miss configuration is the most common), so those Mobo even if you're lucky enough to get good ones you'll have to invest time (and patience) dealing with the issues that originated its return, or maybe are not returned HW but MOBOs which boxes where opened due acidents, or Mobo from some defective Batch.

Whatever unless you know what are you doing dont bet on refurbs Mobo.

No Problems with CPU, RAM, even HDD.

Ahh with CPUs keep away overclokeables ones (those with an "K" at end) usually have been abused and its silicon is fatigued, Also Xeon CPUs the used ones comes usually from Rendering Farms, where they use to run 24x7 at full load.

[construktor]

@acostaja - thing is I kind of do know more or less, but this was a miss.. I cleared CMOS, but when you first launch the mobo, and it instantly freezes, and does so every other time you try to enter BIOS, you tell me what to try..

I asked here, I got split advice and for good reason, but truth is I also own a bunch of other refurb hardware that never gave me trouble. I think this is more bad luck, but if you have a solution, please share..

[construktor]

@acostaja you might be right afterall...

The second board has the same exact issue, I am using identical models of CPU, RAM, and SSD (ssd's are refurbs too) - and same scenario in BIOS, try to enter any menu and it freezes.. somehow I think this is good news, I am not ready to give up on them just yet.

The good news is I have 0 GPUs left idling, and with my Biostar TB85 boards on the way, I will be able to count on my LGA1150 rigs to run smoothly while I work these ones into submission..

[evakka]

I didn't see if you mentioned already,
What type and brand power supply are you using?
and are you using it in second motherboard testing as well?

Another question
The Windows istallation is working well?
Any blue screens?

[xxcsu]

@acostaja you might be right afterall...

The second board has the same exact issue, I am using identical models of CPU, RAM, and SSD (ssd's are refurbs too) - and same scenario in BIOS, try to enter any menu and it freezes.. somehow I think this is good news, I am not ready to give up on them just yet.

The good news is I have 0 GPUs left idling, and with my Biostar TB85 boards on the way, I will be able to count on my LGA1150 rigs to run smoothly while I work these ones into submission..

if the second mobo have the same issue , then the problem probably not your motherboard ...
You really did not give us any system specification , without that its hard to say anything...
what psu , cpu , hdd , vga card , memory you have (type, model number, mem size ) , what windows ,what amd driver you installed ,  all cards connected with powered usb risers ? are u using one psu or 2 ?

"Manufacturer refurbished" mean all the settings, jumpers should be set to the original factory settings, just like when it was brand new ...

Those MSI Gaming Z170A GAMING M5 motherboards are not a really plug and play solution for 6-7 crads setups !!!

[construktor]

@evakka + @xxcsu

Ok so they are two separate systems with identical components, I will try to add pictures next time. Running Win10 pro 64 - no crashes or blue screens. Sometimes when I would first launch multi-gpu, windows would start installing display drivers and one of those might crash but system is stable.

@xxcsu - I know they are not plug and play, which is why I need the BIOS to simply work, it does not matter what I have or don't have connected, the BIOS acts the same with just CPU and SSD attached, on two identical systems.. so I think there might be an answer to this, question is can I find it.

For both MSI M5 refurb motherboards, I have identical but separate components, running simultaneously - NO parts have been mixed.

Kingston DDR4 2x4gb 2133 x2
Corsair 120gb SSD x2
Pentium G4400 CPU x2
EVGA 1300 G2 x2

GPUs in #1: 3x RX 470 Nitro+ and 1x RX 470 Ref
GPUs in #2: 4x RX470 Nitro+

Using quality risers from Hawkfish007 and did the basic virtual memory increase tweak.

Again, I did not use the same PSU on both ever, did not mix any cables, power strips, they have been built and connected separately, even running in different rooms and circuits.

[xxcsu]

did you tried to boot into bios with only one memory stick installed on the motherboard and nothing else connected , not even your ssd ?
You did not said the model number for your memory sticks  , are you sure those mem modules are fully compatible with the motherboard ?

Try to access your bios with 1 mem stick installed , if no success try switch one memory stick to another slot ...

[evakka]

Ok
Try what xxcsu suggested

In particular, boot your system with just the basic hardware:
- 1 memory dimm
- keyboard, mouse
- VGA for display, unplug everything, all the GPUs and connect the onboard card (DVI-D port)
- HDD, leave it connect for the first test and if the same malfunction occurs unplug it
- PSU, leave the EVGA connect for the first test and if the same malfunction occurs try another PSU, a simple one, not the EVGAs.

Another step is to forget Windows and try to boot your system directly from a USB or HDD or SSD using simplemining.net, I have personally tested, it works fine.
Follow the instructions from here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1541084

Post the results

PS
My first thought is that there issues with the power feed, that your system does not take the required power to function properly.
Do the above tests and alongside check the power cables, make sure that you are plugging all the necessary sockets that exist in the motherboard, change the multisocket that gives power from the wall plug.