Older CPUs Worth More Than Scrap Value

Found an interesting article about the value of older CPUs. Here's an excerpt:

“For those individuals ready to set off on a treasure hunt for rare and valuable microprocessors here’s a quick list,” said Gallagher. “C4004, C4040, 8080, C8080, MC8080, G8008, X8008, C8085 and C8086, all these go for at least $100 and some of them will go for over $1,000. Generally speaking anything from Intel with a date code from the 1970s is worth more than its gold value. Gold value for most ceramic computer chips is around $2 to $4.”

Entire article is here: http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=11...d=5&m=1&y=2006

Dated 2006 so gold value a bit off. Hope this is useful.

Mike

Thanks that is very interesting!

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Originally Posted by injunjoe

Thanks that is very interesting!

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It sort of gives me an ache in my stomach thinking of all those old computers I scrapped years ago. I did just dig around and found a box of some old CPUs I kept, but none on that list. I did score a 4004 awhile ago. haven't tried to sell it though.

I have a box of CPU's I will be going through later today!

This seems like a easy way for anyone to make a few extra bucks.

Interesting. I wish I had a few pre '70s computers laying around. I definitely have to start looking at my CPUs more closely

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Originally Posted by Scrap man

Interesting. I wish I had a few pre '70s computers laying around. I definitely have to start looking at my CPUs more closely

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From my read of it, it would be CPUs made during the 70s as well as pre 70s. I've gotta get to my storage. My dad worked for Lawrence Lab and brought home a bunch of computer scrap from them over the years. Never have really gone through it. Sounds like it's time.

Wow RS, it's past time. How could you "dabble" in gold and not get into that scrap ? Get with it. Can't wait to see what you find.

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Originally Posted by Dumpster-Dee

Wow RS, it's past time. How could you "dabble" in gold and not get into that scrap ? Get with it. Can't wait to see what you find.

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Dad died not too long ago so it's just been recently that I felt up to going through his stuff. All sorts of treasures I'm sure. Problem is I'm couple hundred miles from where I stored all of his stuff. It's coming over slowly.

Now I understand !! So sorry about the loss of your Dad. Hope he left you a....uh...goldmine !!

I'm bringing this one back because it's wrong and right also it doesn't mention samples. 4004 4040 8080 8008.....A MOS 6502 ($3,000 or up to $50,000 if original from APPLE1 that great waz hand soldered) Chips from 60s to 2020s can be wortha lot of money you just need to know this stuff but sadly most of you guys don't and only know gold recovery. Sample CPUs as a example. I bought 3 ES engineering Samples In December in a auction on ebay for $52 plus 6 other 486. 2 of the 486 are worth $500 and up per chip, the third is very special and extremely rare, 487sx before it was named sx, it's the earliest known example in production to date, highest offer $6,000 but I'm not selling. I've been building computers and collecting since I was little 6 or 7, I can either find out something or already know most chips except for Motorola or IBM I've never collected those brands or learned anything about them.

Prototype, Sample, ENG, ES, MS, CS, QS, Confidential/Classified are the main markings you will come across. Oldder Intel chips may have a Q before the number and only that, that's also a sample. All samples are worth different prices, all are worth more than gold to collectors, some more some less and rare few worth a lot.

Each chip has different models or packages. A soap bar chip looks like a soap bar, it look like the ceramic has been washed away, collectors love those. Grey Trace or Zebra chips, again collectors love those as well and bring good money. A intel c4004 grey trace zebra can bring $1,800 to $2,250 any sample of that is worth a lot more. A none grey trace 4004 chip will sell around 1,000 to $1400 it varies on what shape the chip is in also, and the lower the date means a lot to some collectors not me I could care less. Other Intel CPUs or Ram chips can sell for $20 to $800. If you find these chips on boards just leave them there and sell it as is. Several other companies sold Intel chips just under a different company name. Those companies also have chips that collectors would love, it's best to research it.

Some collectors put a PDF together with every chip Intel has made in the past. It gives different pictures variations the estimated value is off now but something any scrapper should have.

Complete mainboards are worth a lot as well so stop scrapping them right away and messing them up. As a example an Amdahl mainframe board sold for $925 immediately buy it now last winter. Just research or hang onto them, join the collector forums and share pics. They usually won't give a price on average items and tell you to list on ebay and that will define what people are willing to pay for it. Good luck and happy hunting.

This board sold for $975 today by a seller I buy from. https://www.ebay.com/itm/39425298336...p2047675.l2557