It’s definitely not 60% hallucinated, and that seems like an insane assumption to me, but I’m new here and did not realize that use of AI was considered inhumane.

That is not accurate. My AI query used far less energy than the average gamer uses in a minute of gameplay.

I’m not a gamer, but I’m curious – do you hold the same attitude towards video games?

https://vger.to/lemmy.ml/comment/26190217

Here you go. (Disclaimer: I used AI)

This video by Hardware Haven, titled “6 Tips for Finding Good Deals on PC Hardware,” provides actionable strategies for finding cheap and heavily discounted used computer components, servers, and office PCs.

Here is a breakdown of the six main tips covered in the video:

• Find local ITAD (IT Asset Disposition) businesses [01:40] These companies wipe, recycle, and resell old equipment decommissioned by businesses. Since they deal in bulk, you can often score incredible deals on enterprise or office hardware. If they don’t have a public storefront, you can sometimes find them by searching for local eBay sellers dealing in bulk office PCs.
• Use eBay local pickup [04:27] For large or heavy items like servers and tower systems, sellers bake the high cost of shipping directly into their asking price. By filtering for “local pickup only,” you avoid those shipping costs and can often secure a much lower base price.
• Get creative with the platforms you use [07:46] Don’t rely exclusively on eBay. Check out niche component sites like jawa.gg, local thrift stores, university surplus auctions, or GovDeals. When using Facebook Marketplace, browse generic local buy/sell groups rather than PC-specific ones—you are more likely to find sellers who don’t know the exact value of their hardware.
• Use unconventional search terms [11:04] Instead of searching for highly sought-after product lines, search for the specific, less-common processors inside them. You can also find steep discounts by intentionally searching for minor cosmetic defects using words like “missing,” “cracked,” or “damaged.” For local marketplaces, try generic, non-technical terms like “CPU tower” or “good computer.”
• Put in more effort than other buyers [13:46] You can find extreme discounts if you’re willing to buy hardware that requires a bit of troubleshooting. This includes buying locked systems and clearing the BIOS, flashing custom firmware onto cheap Chrome boxes, or taking a calculated risk on “for parts” listings that might just need something as simple as a new CMOS battery.
• Be patient [18:03] Used enterprise gear hits the secondary market in massive waves when companies do their hardware refresh cycles. If a particular component is overpriced right now, don’t overpay—wait for the next wave of surplus gear to flood the market and drive prices back down.