What Types Of Scrap Metal Are In A Computer?
If you have a damaged or broken computer that holds little resale value, you can sell it to a scrap metal recycling facility for the valuable metals components it contains! The composition and types of metal used in computers has changed a lot in the last few decades, therefore the scrap value of computers has followed suit. Still, many computers contain several parts that are made from valuable metals like gold, platinum, copper, and more. In this article, we’ll talk about the different types of metals that you can find within a computer and where to look for them!
Looking to sell scrap metal in the Greater Boston area? Contact Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett, MA, to learn about our scrap metal purchasing services!
Gold
Gold is widely used in computers, especially in older ones. Gold can be found in many different places within a computer, including in CPU chips, RAM boards, motherboards, and hard drives. Gold is the most desired element when a computer is scrapped and a large part of the reason that scrap metal recycling facilities purchase broken computers. In newer computers, gold is often replaced by copper contact points, which is not as valuable to recycling facilities.
Copper
Copper is one of the more sought-after metals to a scrap metal recycling facility. As mentioned above, copper is commonly used in newer computers in place of gold components. Inside a computer, copper can be found in the computer wire, ribbon wire, CPU chips, power supply, and more.
Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most abundant materials in a computer because it’s often what the frame of the desktop is made of. Aluminum can also be found in the hard drive casing, heatsink on top of the CPU chip, and several other places. When looking for aluminum inside your computer, you should keep in mind that it is NOT magnetic, which will help you differentiate it from steel and other similar-looking metals.
Steel
While steel is not worth a ton of money at a scrap facility, you can still earn some cash for it. Steel can be found in many different places within a computer, including the frame of the desktop tower, screws, drive frames, and more. Steel is magnetic, so it should be fairly easy to tell apart from some of the other metals that can be found in a computer.
Other Metals
It’s not extremely common, but some older computers contain precious metals like platinum and silver. If these metals are present within your computer, you’ll likely find them in the circuit boards, computer chips, keyboard membrane, hard drive, or circuit boards.
Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!
If you’re ready to start recycling scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! Our facility, located in Everett, is in the perfect location to accommodate all of the Greater Boston region! We strive to give our clients the best prices for all kinds of scrap metal! Give us a call at (617) 387-1188 or fill out the contact form on our website, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible!
