Is it just me or are second hand PCs and second hand PC components super expensive in NZ? You read about people in Europe and the US getting things like 8th gen intel old Dell OptiPlex ex-lease PCs for <$100 (2017 tech). Meanwhile sticking with the same example, you struggle to find an 8th gen intel CPU (without other components) for less than $300 on trademe and marketplace, and complete systems are like $500+ for 6 year old tech.
I want to upgrade my Plex server CPU from 4th to minimum 8th gen so I can properly transcode h265 video using the modern QuickSync version. I just need a new CPU and motherboard and it seems like I can buy new 12th or 13th gen for similar money as 8th gen second hand.
Preemptive reply to AMD comments. I run AMD on my gaming rig. But AMD don’t support QuickSync.
You could try CR Tech in Penrose, they recycle a lot of used computer gear. They sell on TradeMe but you could also just drop in there (they are off Hugo Johnson Drive) and see what they have. I have bought a couple of used laptops there for friends on a tight budget