Last updated: 7 August 2026
Looking for current scrap CPU and IC recycling prices in the UK? RepairPrice helps individuals, repair businesses, IT departments, data centres and electronics traders understand the potential recycling value of old computer processors, integrated circuits, EPROM chips and other processor-based electronic components. Different CPU grades can vary considerably in value, so identifying and separating your material correctly before recycling is important.
Older ceramic processors, gold-cap CPUs, gold-pin chips and selected integrated circuits can contain higher concentrations of recoverable precious metals than many newer processor types. Modern fibre CPUs, server processors, plastic ICs and mixed chips can also have recycling value, although their grading and price per kilogram will depend on construction, precious-metal content, attachments, condition and quantity.
CPU and integrated circuit recycling prices depend on processor construction, precious-metal content, attached materials and overall grade. The table below provides current guide prices for common scrap CPU and IC categories. Prices can change with market conditions, so request a current valuation before sending larger quantities.
| CPU or IC Type | Description / Grade | Guide Price |
|---|---|---|
| Intel i286, i386 & i486 CPU Chips | Ceramic processors with gold-plated cap and gold pins | £1420.50 per kg |
| Ceramic CPU Chips | Ceramic processors with gold pins but without a gold-plated cap | £300.15 per kg |
| Ceramic CPU with Aluminium Heatsink | Ceramic processors with gold pins and an attached aluminium heatsink | £210.75 per kg |
| Black Plastic CPU Chips | Plastic processor packages on black fibre support with gold pins | £450.10 per kg |
| Green or Brown Fibre CPUs | Modern-style processors using green or brown fibre substrates | £40.75 per kg |
| CPU Slot Processors | Slot-style processor assemblies containing gold-plated contact edges | £120.00 per kg |
| Plastic CPU with Aluminium Heatsink | Fibre CPU assemblies with aluminium heatsinks and processor contacts | £30.40 per kg |
| Server Slot Processors | Server processor assemblies with gold contact edges | £90.15 per kg |
| Ceramic Gold EPROM | Ceramic EPROM integrated circuits containing gold-plated pins | £120.15 per kg |
| Ceramic Silver EPROM | Ceramic EPROM chips fitted with silver-coloured pins | £40.15 per kg |
| Plastic DIP IC Chips | Standard plastic integrated circuits with silver-coloured pins | £20.15 per kg |
Important: The prices above are indicative scrap CPU and IC recycling rates and are not guaranteed purchase prices. Final valuations can depend on processor grade, weight, contamination, attached heatsinks, batch composition and current precious-metal market conditions.
Not every processor contains the same quantity of valuable recoverable material. CPU design changed considerably between early ceramic processors and modern fibre-based chips. Older processor generations can contain gold-plated pins, internal bonding wires, ceramic substrates and, on some grades, gold-plated lids. This can make particular vintage CPU categories especially interesting for precious-metal recovery.
Newer processors generally use different construction methods and much lower amounts of precious metal per unit. They can still be recyclable, but the processor normally needs to be graded separately from older ceramic material to obtain a meaningful price.
Sorting is one of the simplest ways to improve the accuracy of a processor recycling quote. Mixing high-grade ceramic CPUs with low-grade fibre processors can make valuation more difficult because each type may need a different recovery process and pricing category.
Where practical, separate ceramic gold-cap CPUs, ceramic processors without gold caps, green or brown fibre CPUs, black fibre processors, server CPUs, slot processors, EPROM chips and standard plastic ICs into individual containers. Clear photographs of each separated category can also make preliminary identification easier.
Processor batches are often recovered during the dismantling of desktop computers, servers and other IT equipment. If you also have boards or memory modules available, compare our latest scrap motherboard processor and board recycling prices rather than combining every component into one mixed electronic load.
Computer memory should also normally be graded independently. Gold-finger memory modules, server RAM and different generations of computer memory can have their own recycling classifications. See the UK scrap RAM and memory recycling value guide for the related memory price categories.
RepairPrice also connects the national processor recycling price guide with regional CPU recycling pages. These location pages are useful when searching for collection or recycling information closer to where your processors, server components or electronic scrap are stored.
Some customers have a few kilograms of processors, while businesses can generate CPUs alongside servers, desktop computers, motherboards, RAM, expansion cards and other electronics. For larger mixed loads, start with the UK electronics and component recycling service to understand the broader collection options available.
You can also compare wider material categories using the current UK e-waste recycling price guide. Keeping processors separate from low-grade electrical material can be particularly important because high-grade CPUs should not automatically be valued as ordinary mixed electronic waste.
Processors are frequently removed from computer motherboards and server boards before recycling. Once the CPUs have been separated, the remaining boards can still contain ICs, connectors, gold-plated contacts, sockets and other recyclable materials. Compare their categories through the UK scrap circuit board price and grading guide.
Businesses dismantling servers should also separate specialist backplane and rear-panel assemblies where possible. These can be assessed through the server back panel and data-centre board recycling guide, rather than being mixed automatically with ordinary desktop PC boards.
Removing processors does not mean the remaining motherboard has no value. Desktop, laptop and server boards can still contain recoverable copper and precious-metal-bearing components. For complete board recycling, visit the UK scrap motherboard recycling service to review suitable disposal and material recovery routes.
For broader board recovery, the UK circuit board and PCB recycling service covers electronic boards recovered from computers, communications equipment, consumer electronics and other electrical systems.
If you have clean bare or populated printed boards, compare them using the printed circuit board recycling and price categories. Keeping board grades separate can help prevent high-grade material from being assessed as ordinary low-grade PCB scrap.
Mobile-device dismantlers can also review the mobile phone circuit board recycling price guide for smartphone PCBs and related compact high-density electronic boards.
A wide range of obsolete or non-working processors can enter specialist electronic recycling streams. The processor does not normally need to function because recycling value is based primarily on material composition rather than computing performance.
Ceramic CPUs are one of the most recognisable processor recycling categories. Many older chips were manufactured using ceramic packages with metal pins and, depending on the processor, precious-metal-bearing internal connections. Some higher grades also use gold-plated caps or lids.
Because of these construction differences, two ceramic processors that look superficially similar may receive different recycling classifications. Photographs showing the front, rear, pins and lid can therefore be useful when requesting a valuation.
Gold-cap processors are particularly sought after within specialist processor recycling because selected older CPU packages used gold-plated lids alongside gold-bearing pins and internal connections. Their value should not be assumed solely from the visible gold surface, however, because processor type, construction and material weight still need to be considered.
A sorted batch of recognised gold-cap CPUs is generally easier to assess than processors mixed with modern fibre CPUs, aluminium heatsinks and miscellaneous computer components.
Many later-generation processors use green or brown fibre substrates rather than traditional ceramic packaging. These processors can still contain recyclable metals but are normally graded separately because their material composition differs from older ceramic CPUs.
Fibre processors should also be separated based on whether they retain aluminium heat spreaders, pins or other substantial attachments. Sorting these variations can help create a clearer price assessment.
Data-centre decommissioning and server upgrades can produce large quantities of processors, memory, server motherboards, backplanes and expansion cards. Instead of combining these materials into one IT scrap category, separating individual component streams can improve visibility over what each material is worth.
Server CPUs can vary widely by generation and design. Some older server processors use pin or slot configurations, while modern processors can use large fibre packages and heat spreaders. Batch photos, model information and approximate weight are useful when seeking a commercial recycling assessment.
Integrated circuits are found throughout computer, industrial, telecommunications and consumer electronic equipment. Their recovery value depends heavily on package construction. Ceramic EPROMs, for example, should not automatically be mixed with low-grade plastic ICs because the two materials can have different recovery characteristics.
Where IC chips have already been removed from electronic boards, divide them into obvious ceramic and plastic groups where practical. Avoid mixing processors, batteries, connectors, wire and unrelated metal pieces into the same container.
The recycling process begins by identifying the processor category and assessing whether the CPUs are clean, sorted and free from excessive attachments. Once the material is graded, a price can be based on the relevant processor category, weight and current recycling conditions.
CPU and IC recycling is relevant to much more than individual computer owners. Processor scrap is regularly generated through repair work, IT upgrades, equipment dismantling, asset recovery and data-centre decommissioning.
If your aim is to obtain an accurate processor-specific valuation, separating CPUs from motherboards can be useful because processors and boards are frequently priced under different material categories. It also allows high-grade processors to be identified rather than disappearing inside a mixed motherboard batch.
However, dismantling should only be carried out safely and when appropriate for the equipment involved. Businesses processing large quantities should use suitable handling procedures and keep different components clearly labelled after separation.
Yes. Scrap processor recycling is based on recoverable materials, so a CPU does not need to boot a computer or function correctly to have recycling value. Bent pins, failed processors and obsolete chips can still be recyclable, although physical contamination, missing components or excessive attachments can affect the final classification.
Electronic processors can contain recoverable metals including gold, copper and other materials used for conductivity and component construction. The economic value of recovering these materials changes alongside commodity prices, refining costs and demand for recycled material.
That is why a CPU recycling rate quoted several months ago should not automatically be treated as a permanent price. For valuable or commercial quantities, check the current rate before arranging collection or delivery.
Processors are specialist electronic components and should not simply be discarded with ordinary household or commercial rubbish. Recovering reusable metals from CPUs and other electronic components helps retain useful resources within recycling streams and reduces unnecessary disposal of electronic material.
Businesses generating regular electronic waste should also consider separating processors, memory, motherboards and other high-value board categories before creating a mixed WEEE load.
If you have accumulated older processors and are unsure why some CPU generations are worth substantially more than others, read our guide to the recycling value of old CPU processors. It explains why construction, age, processor package and precious-metal content can influence the recycling category.
Scrap CPU values vary dramatically by processor construction. Lower-grade modern fibre processors may be worth only a few pounds per kilogram, while selected older ceramic and gold-cap processor categories can achieve considerably higher rates. Always identify the processor grade before comparing prices.
Selected older ceramic processors with gold-plated caps, gold pins and higher precious-metal content generally fall into stronger recycling categories than many modern fibre processors. The exact CPU model and construction still need to be assessed.
Yes. Older Intel processors including selected i286, i386, i486 and later ceramic generations can be recycled. Some vintage processor types may fall into specialist high-grade categories because of their construction.
Yes. AMD ceramic, fibre and other processor types can enter electronic component recycling streams. As with Intel processors, pricing depends on package type, pins, attachments, generation and material composition.
Yes. Server processors can be recycled separately from server motherboards, RAM and backplanes. Commercial server dismantling can generate enough material to justify sorting processors into their own recycling category.
Many ICs can be recycled, including ceramic EPROMs and various plastic integrated circuits. Different packages should be separated where possible because ceramic and plastic IC grades can have significantly different material characteristics.
No. Non-working, obsolete and damaged processors can still contain recoverable material. Recycling value is generally based on physical construction and grade rather than whether the CPU remains operational.
Attached aluminium heatsinks can change the way a processor is classified and can reduce the processor-only weight within a batch. If you are unsure whether attachments should be removed, provide photographs before dismantling the material.
It is normally better to separate processors from memory modules because CPUs and RAM are graded using different recycling categories. Separating them makes valuation clearer and helps avoid high-grade material being treated as mixed electronic scrap.
Yes. Repair shops, IT departments, data centres, recyclers and other organisations can request valuations for commercial quantities of CPUs, ICs, motherboards, RAM and associated electronic components.
Use the links below to continue through the RepairPrice CPU, motherboard, PCB and electronic recycling silo. Each page focuses on a related material category or UK recycling location.
Before sending processors for recycling, separate the different CPU and IC grades, record an approximate weight and take clear photographs of representative items. This gives the recycling team more information to distinguish high-grade ceramic processors from modern fibre CPUs, server processors, EPROMs and lower-grade integrated circuits.
RepairPrice provides a central route for comparing CPU, motherboard, RAM, circuit board and wider electronic recycling information across the UK. Whether you have a small collection of obsolete processors or a commercial batch generated through IT equipment dismantling, accurate sorting is the best starting point for obtaining a meaningful recycling valuation.
