Same, my first pc build was mostly salvaged parts and my second has re-used pieces from my first. Just be gentle with it, make sure you push it in firmly then use the tabs to take it out. Graphics cards are usually pretty sturdy as far as computer components go, and messing with one of those (and alternatively, the ram) is a good place to start for a beginner.
Still have my GTX 580 from when it was released fall of 2010. The one before that was a 295. I usually try to skip a generation or two with videocards to save money.
My 580 has been in 3 different configs since.
All of my PC builds are from salvaged parts, or I upgrade gradually: Mobo, ram, PSU (if needed), CPU, then after a few months to a couple years, videocard...
I always like slowly upgrading what you need, it's smarter and cheaper than spending a ton of money trying to future proof, and generally, parts can be useful for quite a while, the first i7s that came out in 2007 and are still great, comparable with an i5 from this year.
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My 580 has been in 3 different configs since.
All of my PC builds are from salvaged parts, or I upgrade gradually: Mobo, ram, PSU (if needed), CPU, then after a few months to a couple years, videocard...