Second hand gaming laptop advice

michty_me · 27 Jun 2025 at 21:36

Evening all,

I recently took a wild stab on a laptop that has a 6800H and a 3070ti. It was offered for less than a 5800h/3070 equivalent.
I assumed a scam as the seller had zero feedback but I used protection (ooh err).
It arrived and only with it's Lenovo box but sealed with sticky sand paper (? Bizarre) No outer packaging which had split so laptop was visible through it's journey.

Surprisingly, it's in amazing condition, ran a few tests (steel nomad mainly), someone had forced the igpu which was performing crap, it's still below the average currently but I think I repaste may solve it as internally it looks good but fans and heatsinks have been off.

The secondary SSD was left in it ( didn't realise there was one) and not showing but bent down to the main board as they hadn't put the riser in correctly. It's now showing correctly.

Anything else you would check before accepting it?

Teknobry · 27 Jun 2025 at 22:57

See if it has any warranty remaining or if the warranty can be extended.

michty_me · 27 Jun 2025 at 23:26

Teknobry said:
See if it has any warranty remaining or if the warranty can be extended.

8 months warranty remaining and I can extend it by the looks of it.

Teknobry · 27 Jun 2025 at 23:30

michty_me said:
8 months warranty remaining and I can extend it by the looks of it.

Then any issues (such as over heating) get them to repaste or replace the thermal unit under warranty, it's what it's there for.

michty_me · 27 Jun 2025 at 23:50

Teknobry said:
Then any issues (such as over heating) get them to repaste or replace the thermal unit under warranty, it's what it's there for.

Very true. Thanks for the reminder. Anything else that springs to mind?

michty_me · 28 Jun 2025 at 08:07

Do you happen to know if single rank Vs dual rank ram has a big a benefit on the 6800H? If I recall dual rank on the 5800H gave a decent performance bump.

Teknobry · 28 Jun 2025 at 12:12

michty_me said:
Do you happen to know if single rank Vs dual rank ram has a big a benefit on the 6800H? If I recall dual rank on the 5800H gave a decent performance bump.

Only a guess but I'm assuming so, I have the 5800 and wish it was dual with the higher speeds.

michty_me · 28 Jun 2025 at 15:28

It definitely has been opened before so I'm unsure if that will have any issues with the remaining warranty. The void stickers have been tampered with.
I think I'll get some phase change pads for doing it if you think it will affect warranty. CPU hitting 101C during gaming.

Teknobry · 29 Jun 2025 at 12:17

michty_me said:
It definitely has been opened before so I'm unsure if that will have any issues with the remaining warranty. The void stickers have been tampered with.
I think I'll get some phase change pads for doing it if you think it will affect warranty. CPU hitting 101C during gaming.

Shouldn't be an issue, the tech who comes out doesn't care. Just say you opened it to clear the dust from the heat sinks. My experience of Lenovo warranty is very good.
I hope it was really cheap as you're putting a lot of time and effort into this.

michty_me · 29 Jun 2025 at 13:16

Teknobry said:
Shouldn't be an issue, the tech who comes out doesn't care. Just say you opened it to clear the dust from the heat sinks. My experience of Lenovo warranty is very good.
I hope it was really cheap as you're putting a lot of time and effort into this.

Good shout. Shall do!!
It was £540 delivered which I felt was pretty cheap for the spec. Every other one with a 3070ti was around £750-£800.