ISRI Code : NA

What Is Scrap Motherboard?

Scrap motherboards are the main circuit boards from obsolete desktops, laptops, servers, and networking gear. They are rich in:

  • Gold-plated connectors and CPU sockets

  • Copper traces and contact points

  • Silver in solder and some components

  • Fiberglass, ceramic, and other base materials

Older telecom/server boards typically contain more gold content, making them even more desirable. Modern “green” boards use less precious metal, but all motherboards remain among the most valuable e-scrap materials for recovery.

Industry, Pricing, and Market Insights

Grading Motherboards

  • Green Motherboards: Newer tech, more copper, less gold, mid-tier price

  • Brown/Older Motherboards: Higher gold/silver, more value per pound, often used in communication/server cabinets

  • Fiberglass or “Low Grade” Boards: Rarely purchased by premium buyers, low or no precious metal content

Pricing Example (2020):

  • US East/West Coast/Midwest: $2.50/lb (premium grade)

Check up-to-date Scrap Motherboard and Electronics Scrap Prices
Local Scrap Yard Price Table

Selling Bulk Scrap Motherboards

  • For large quantities, many yards offer free pickup, discounts, or rebates—especially for sorted, graded material.

  • Not all yards buy motherboards—always check ahead, pre-sort, and remove batteries, wires, chips, and other materials for max payouts.

Find reputable buyers:

Marketplace:

Benefits: Environmental and Business Impact

  • Environmental: Recycling motherboards diverts toxic metals (lead, mercury, cadmium) from landfill and conserves rare elements (gold, silver, tantalum).

  • Business: Graded, sorted scrap yields top-dollar; proper recycling complies with R2/e-Stewards/circular economy mandates and green business certifications.

  • Circular Tech Economy: Supports minerals recovery, green product manufacturing, and re-use in future electronics.

How Scrap Motherboard Prices Are Set

  • Grade and purity: Premium green or brown boards = higher gold/copper content

  • Market demand: Precious metals pricing, export activity, and bulk deals

  • Location and volume: Urban centers, export zones, and larger lots drive rates

  • Buyer policies: Preferred buyers may pay more for sorted and “clean” (chip- and battery-removed) material

Always check live Electronics Scrap Prices, and contact yards or marketplace buyers for specific deals.

Where to Buy & Sell

ScrapMonster Services & News

 

Fun Facts: Scrap Motherboard Edition

  • A ton of motherboards may yield 600+ grams of gold—making urban e-waste mining more lucrative than most gold mines!

  • Old server boards sometimes have gold-plated CPU sockets weighing over 10 grams per board.

  • Recycling all motherboards removed during a decade of electronics upgrades would save millions of pounds of mined copper.

  • Some rare vintage boards are valuable to collectors rather than just scrap buyers!

  • ScrapMonster members recycled over 500,000 lbs of motherboards through the B2B portal last year.

Related Materials & Next Steps

For premium insights, deals, and the central hub of e-scrap trade, start each deal with ScrapMonster.com.

Updated October 2025 | ScrapMonster Inc. | © 2009–2025 – All rights reserved