Which computer parts are worth money?

An old computer contains more valuable materials than you might think. Copper, gold, palladium, and rare earth metals are found in cables, circuit boards, and processors. At Krommenhoek Metals, you can turn in your old computers for compensation. Anything we can reuse gets a second life, and we recycle the rest into new raw materials.

Which parts of an old PC are worth the most?

Not every component is worth the same amount. The value depends on the materials it contains and how easy they are to separate. Here's what's inside an average desktop computer:

Motherboards and circuit boards contain precious metals such as gold, platinum, and palladium. The more chips and connectors they have, the greater their value.
The processor (CPU) is small but contains a relatively large amount of gold in its contact points. Older-generation ceramic processors are particularly valuable.
RAM memory has gold-plated contacts. Older modules with a thick layer of gold, in particular, sell for a good price.
Cabling and power cords contain copper. That copper is separated from the plastic and sent to a copper smelter. The plastic granules are reused in products such as parking posts.
The hard drive contains a neodymium magnet (a rare-earth metal) and a cast aluminum casing that is sent to aluminum smelters.

On our scrap prices page, you'll find the current purchase prices for each type of part. Want a quick price check? Send a photo via WhatsApp to +31 6 13 662 187.

How much gold and copper is in an old desktop computer?

The exact amounts vary by computer, but you can expect about 0.3 to 0.5 grams of gold per desktop (distributed among the CPU, RAM, and motherboard) and 300 to 500 grams of copper in cables and circuit boards. That might not sound like much, but with larger quantities, the total adds up quickly. That’s precisely why computer recycling is attractive to companies that regularly dispose of hardware.

Selling an Old Computer as a Whole vs. Selling Parts Separately

Which option is more profitable? That depends on your situation.

	Return the computer as a whole	Selling Parts Separately
Time commitment	At least	High (disassembly, sorting)
Yield per unit	Bearing	Potentially higher
Suitable for businesses	Yes	No, it's too labor-intensive
Reuse Possible	Yes, we'll look into that	Only if you test yourself
Secure Data Deletion	Yes (shredding available)	Personal Responsibility

For individuals with one or two computers, the difference is minimal. Just drop them off as a single batch, and we’ll sort everything out. For businesses with larger quantities, we can also have them shredded, so you can be sure that discarded hardware won’t end up back in circulation.

Where in the Netherlands can you turn in old hardware for a refund?

Stop by our locations in Rotterdam (Keenstraat 28) or Westland (Maasdijkseweg 138). We accept desktops, laptops, servers, monitors, and individual components.

Disassembly takes place in a WEEELABEX-certified workshop where people who are distanced from the labor market learn a trade. Reusable components (hard drives, memory, processors) are repurposed. The rest goes to specialized processors who recover the precious metals.

Larger volumes? We'll deliver containers to your location and pick them up whenever it's convenient for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which PC components are the most profitable?

RAM, processors, and motherboards. These contain the highest concentrations of precious metals. Check out our electronics pricing page for current rates.

Do I have to take my computer apart myself?

No, that's not necessary. You can turn in entire computers. We disassemble and sort everything ourselves in our certified workshop.

Will my data be securely deleted?

We offer a hard drive shredding service. This way, you can be 100% certain that no data can be recovered.

Do you also pick up old computers?

For larger quantities, yes. Please contact us by phone or WhatsApp, and we'll schedule a pickup time.