I'm currently struggling with a 256GB SSD for gaming and decided to purchase a 1TB Samsung SSD off eBay for $100. The seller described it as 'lightly used,' but since I couldn't check its health info before the auction ended, I'm feeling a bit uncertain. Aside from formatting the drive after connecting it to my motherboard, are there additional precautions or steps I should take before relying on it for gaming? Some previous suggestions discouraged buying used SSDs, but at current prices, I think this is a decent deal. Any advice would be appreciated!
4 Answers
I've bought used NVMe drives before and used them without issues, as long as they passed tests. Some were barely used from people upgrading devices. Just follow the others' advice about testing and count your blessings if it turns out well. And definitely check if there are any firmware updates for your Samsung drive to prevent any issues. Good luck!
Since you’ve already bought it, the first thing you should do is run CrystalDiskInfo to check its health. If it's below 80%, it's not reliable for games, and if it's below 90%, I'd think twice about installing an OS on it. Just be careful!
I'd recommend connecting the SSD to your motherboard, then heading straight to the BIOS to do a 'secure erase' on it. After that, you can test it out in Windows. Just a heads-up: you could find new SSDs for around $130 if you're willing to look!
Spending $100 on a used drive without knowing its condition can be risky, especially if it's older than a few years. I recommend using Samsung Magician as it verifies the drive's authenticity and provides necessary info. You can also wipe the drive with it if you want, but your method of formatting is good too! You should cross-reference with CrystalDiskInfo and HWinfo for extra assurance.
I figure if it doesn't work out, I can return it. Appreciate the tips!
Thanks for the advice!