$50 cheap pre-owned motherboard becomes a SSD goldmine valued at $1,500 — 12 terabytes of high-speed storage reaches a new owner during severe scarcities

When something is meant for you, it will find its way to you, no matter the obstacles. The best SSDs are usually pricey these days, but not when you find them for the cost of a tank of gas. A single Redditor risked $50 on a broken motherboard and ended up securing more than $1,500 in SSDs, totaling 12TB of inexpensive yet high-speed storage, which the previous owner had neglected to remove from the board.

The story may seem at first glance to be about luck, but it’s really about the expertise behind the scenes—knowing just how to navigate the system. Still, we shouldn't overlook the element of chance in their discovery of the motherboard advertisement on eBay. The post featured an MSI Pro Z690-A WiFi motherboard with a damaged pin for a cost of $50. What truly piqued the Redditor's interest was the fact that every one of the four M.2 slots remained equipped with its heatsink. This served as a faint indication that SSDs might be located beneath the surface.

Motivated by rising SSD prices throughout the AI surge and some optimism, the Redditor completed the half-hour trip to see the vendor and returned with four pre-owned M.2 SSDs that were functional. The take was remarkable: two WD Black SN850X 4TB, each selling for $449.99; one Intel 670p 2TB, valued at $299.99; and an EOL Corsair Force MP600 2TB that fetched $374.99 at its height. Overall, these high-performance SSDs returned $1,574.96 in value on a $50 investment.

There goes my luck for the entire year from r/pcmasterrace

Even though it debuted four years ago, the WD Black SN850X, or perhaps the Optimus GX Pro 850X, continues to be a very respected SSD. There is a justification for why this drive remains our suggested pick for the finest M.2 SSD alternative. The Intel SSD and Corsair drives, while no longer new, remain functional for backup purposes.

As claimed by the creator of the Reddit thread, the eBay merchant apparently possesses minimal expertise in PC components and was offering the motherboard "for lower than prices on eBay." Several Redditors suspect the motherboard Had been taken, so the pressure to get rid of it with great haste is understandable. Others suggest the seller may be unaware, as the value of the components seems overlooked.

It's quite frequent to encounter excellent bargains for brand-new and occasionally pre-owned computing equipment in surprising locations. Individuals have acquired the newest video cards at reduced rates in Walmart's clearance aisles or paid $5 to $9 for previous versions at secondhand shops. Platforms such as eBay or Facebook might be the upcoming spot for finding bargains, though occasionally you aren't always aware of the origin of the items you're purchasing.

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