Technology always comes up as one of the most expensive parts of running a business, and finding ways to cut costs without compromising on performance can be difficult.
But it can be done by investing in refurbished business servers. People tend to have a misconception about refurbished equipment, thinking they aren’t up to scratch.
In reality, they are affordable, reliable, and scalable and in many cases can match brand new equipment for performance, with assurances in the form of refurb certifications.
In this blog, we’ll explore why refurbished servers are a cost-effective choice for businesses, how they deliver first-class performance, and the key factors to consider when selecting the right equipment.
Why should you choose refurbished servers?
Refurbished servers are a standout way of cutting costs, particularly for SMEs (small to medium enterprises).
Servers for small businesses, often sourced as “off-lease” equipment, are typically only a couple of years old and still provide reliable, high-quality functionality.
The performance gap between refurbished and brand-new servers is often minimal.
Whether it’s for hosting, virtualisation, or managing heavy workloads, refurbished servers can deliver the same value as new. The key benefits you can expect from buying refurbished servers include:
Readily available
Unlike new servers, which may face manufacturing or shipping delays, refurbished servers are usually in stock and ready for immediate postage. This means no downtime and quicker project completion when you need it most.
You will find them at any refurbished server store, and typically, you will want to look for those who are registered with Dell and other brand partners and offer impressive warranties for added cushion.
This quick availability is particularly advantageous for businesses with tight project deadlines or those facing unexpected hardware failures.
Lower upfront costs
It goes without saying that refurbished servers offer businesses a chance to significantly cut IT expenses, with prices often 30–70% lower than brand-new equipment.
This added affordability makes it easier to invest in high-performance hardware without straining budgets.
The savings can be redirected toward other priorities, such as upgrading software, hiring, or expanding operations, all while maintaining a robust and reliable IT setup.
‘Good as new’ performance and reliability
Modern refurbished servers undergo rigorous testing and reconditioning processes to ensure they meet or exceed original performance standards.
These checks often include hardware upgrades, component replacements, and software updates, ensuring they function like new.
As touched upon, good refurbed network equipment retailers will offer extended warranties or service agreements.
Easy to scale
One of the biggest selling points to buying refurbished equipment is that it is easy to scale. Since they’re available in a wide range of configurations, businesses can easily find models that match their existing setup or expand capacity to meet growing demands.
Whether adding storage, processing power, or network capabilities, refurbished servers are much more flexible and budget-friendly when a business needs an overhaul.
More sustainable
By extending the lifecycle of IT equipment, businesses will significantly reduce their carbon footprint while contributing to a circular economy.
Choosing refurbished hardware demonstrates a commitment to green practices without compromising on performance or reliability.
How to choose the right server equipment for your business
Choosing the right network equipment for your business involves balancing cost, performance, and reliability.
As an example, second-hand servers, like an HPE G9 with 256GB RAM and dual Xeons providing 56 cores, can deliver high-end performance at a fraction of the cost—often around £300 compared to £14,000 for new equipment.
The savings can be reinvested into essential areas like software licensing, backups, and creating a failover cluster to ensure business continuity.
Prioritise components that make a tangible difference, such as NVMe drives over SATA/SAS SSDs, for significantly faster speeds at similar costs. This approach allows businesses to build scalable and dependable IT infrastructure while avoiding overspending on hardware they may never fully utilise.
When it comes to buying your server equipment, ask yourself the following questions:
- What is the designated location for the server within your building?
- Do you have a network closet or a dedicated server rack for installation?
- Are there any additional storage or computing requirements, such as handling video recordings or managing large databases?
- How many users will need access to the server and its resources?
- What is the number of printers or other peripherals that will connect to the server?
- How long can your business operate if the server goes offline completely?
- Does your IT company have a tested disaster recovery plan in place?
- Have you prepared a contingency plan to address potential ransomware attacks?
These will help filter down your requirements and narrow your search, making the purchasing process a bit easier.
Installing and maintaining refurbished wholesale servers
Start by resetting the Lifecycle Controller and updating all firmware to bring the server up to date. Configure iDRAC for remote management and set up RAID for data redundancy.
After installing the hypervisor, you can perform thorough testing—such as using memtest86 or running stress tests with tools like Phoronix—to ensure the hardware operates reliably under load.
Clean the server’s interior, repaste the CPUs for better thermal performance, and verify all components function as expected.
Once you have done this, you’re ready for deployment.
Start saving on your IT budget
Starting to save on your IT budget doesn’t mean compromising on performance. You will quickly realise the cost benefits of going second-hand and why it is so popular amongst industry veterans.
If you’re looking to optimise your IT further, be sure to check out our blog on building a web server or read the rest of our blogs.