There’s Money in That Box of Old Cables

Somewhere, maybe in your garage or attic, there’s a box containing a Gordian knot of old cables, the remnants of the electronics you’ve owned over the years.

You may think these cords are useless, but before you dispose of them, check to see if you can mine them for some cash. Fans of classic tech have created a market for missing cables. “There are cords that will only work with those old devices,” says Chris Olson, test and repair manager at Repowered, a Minnesota-based non-profit that recycles and refurbishes electronics to keep such material out of landfills.

Clint Basinger, a classic gaming expert who runs the Lazy Game Reviews channel on YouTube, says that some videogame console cables are particularly valuable, but you have to know what you’re looking for. “Big boxes of cables are worthless,” he says, “but the individual cable that has been picked out is worth money.”

Here are a few cords to untangle from that rat’s nest (prices may fluctuate):

DisplayPort cable

Looks like: Usually black and similar to an HDMI cable, but with one angled corner on the connectors on each end (versus two for HDMI).

Resale value: $5 to $150, depending on length

SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) cable

Looks like: Usually beige or black, with wide heads on both ends that have a small row of tiny holes or pin-like metal teeth. These cables can be round or flat.

Resale value: $18 to $50

DVI (Digital Virtual Interface) cable

Looks like: Cord colors vary. Each end has a wide connector with rows of pins and two screws.

Resale Value: $5 to $45

Apple 30-pin connector cable

Looks like: White, with a base on one end about an inch wide and a USB connector on the other end

Resale value: $5 to $15

Nintendo GameCube component cable

Looks like: Gray, with the words “Nintendo GameCube” on one end and three prongs (red, blue and green) on the other end

Resale value: $150 to $200

Xbox high-definition display cable

Looks like: Black, with a wide slot on one end and five prongs (green, blue, white and two red) on the other end

Resale value: $60 to $90

PlayStation 2 cable

Looks like: Black, with a 1-inch base at one end (with a few pins) and three prongs (yellow, red and white) on the other end

Resale value: Around $10 to $15

Where to sell

You can list your items for sale on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, Etsy or Mercari. Used video game stores may buy gaming cables. You can also look for a vintage computer festival in your community; many people there are looking for “outdated” parts. Or if you just want to get rid of those old cables and aren’t concerned with the cash, you can donate them to Repowered. “There’s clearly a market for cords that are vintage,” says Repowered CEO Heather Walch. “Some of these things aren’t manufactured today, so you can’t find them.”