August 17, 2026, 11:31 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The idea sounds tempting: Use discarded computers as a personal gold source and maybe even get rich. Many electronic components do contain small amounts of the precious metal. But how realistic is it to profitably extract gold from them?
Gold is indeed in old computers
Gold is found in many electronic devices–such as on circuit boards, connectors, and in certain processors. The reason: The precious metal conducts electricity reliably and is extremely resistant to corrosion. However, the amount of gold depends heavily on the device and components. Studies cite values of about 39 to over 300 grams of gold per ton of material for circuit boards.
This makes electronic waste a kind of “urban gold mine.” This was also the thought of a hobbyist who allegedly spent six years sifting through computer scrap for the precious metal and, with the help of two chemists, cast several bars–hoping to strike it rich. But the venture ended in disappointment: A gold buyer analyzed the handmade “gold bars” and found various metals, but no gold. The moment was captured in a video currently making the rounds on Instagram:
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Gold extraction is not for hobbyists
The video makes it clear: Anyone wanting to extract gold from computer scrap cannot simply melt down the devices. Professional recycling companies first dismantle the electronics and sort out the valuable circuit boards and components. The materials are then mechanically and chemically processed to separate the contained metals and recover the gold.
The processes are complex and can involve hazardous substances and procedures. Toxic fumes and problematic waste make gold extraction from electronic waste a task for specialized recycling facilities–not for the home garage. Anyone finding instructions online should be extremely cautious.
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A gold bar requires massive amounts of scrap
How much electronic waste is needed for a gold bar depends significantly on its gold content. If a ton of circuit boards contains, for example, 39 grams of gold, theoretically more than 25 tons of circuit boards would be needed to obtain one kilogram of gold. This is already an ideal calculation, as some of the precious metal is lost during processing.
The calculation becomes even more sobering with ordinary computer scrap: Studies show that around 50 tons of desktop computer scrap may be required for one kilogram of gold. The core truth of the viral video remains: Gold can indeed be recovered from electronic waste. However, it is certainly not the quick path to homeownership.