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In ARC Raiders, the Fried Motherboard is one of those loot items that sound like scrap at first glance but ends up being surprisingly important in progression and crafting. It falls under the Recyclable category, meaning you can break it down into useful materials, but when, where, and why you recycle it matters a lot.
The game even brings up the notion of “U4N, buy arc raiders crafting materials” in relation to farming and economy discussions among players — a community shorthand for getting the materials you need, whether through recycling, direct looting, or marketplace exchange.
What Is a Fried Motherboard?
A Fried Motherboard is:
Rare and Recyclable
Found in Technological zones during raids
Valuable — sells for 2,000 Raider Coins each
Stacks up to 3 per slot
Weighs 3 kg per item
There’s no question that these are high-tier loot finds. Even on their own, 2,000 Raider Coins is a nice chunk of value for a single slot of inventory.
Recycle vs. Salvage: The Breakdown
Where advice often splits into theory and actual numbers is how you break these down: recycling at your workshop back in base versus salvaging in the field.
Recycling (Hideout Workbench)
5 × Plastic Parts
2 × Electrical Components
This is the highest yield material return from a Fried Motherboard.
When you look at what those parts are worth in crafting and sales value, that’s a significant return in actual usable components.
Field Salvaging (In-Raid)
5 × Wires
This is much lower value compared to recycling. If you salvage a Fried Motherboard while still topside, the output is minimal — basically just wiring without any of the higher-tier components needed for workshop upgrades.
The takeaway is simple: always bring Fried Motherboards back to your hideout before processing them unless you urgently need wires during a raid.
Why You Don’t Want to Recycle Immediately
Here’s the part many players overlook: Fried Motherboards are not just scrap. They are also required for a major workshop upgrade.
To upgrade the Utility Station to Level 3, you need:
3 × Fried Motherboards
5 × Advanced Electrical Components
4 × Leaper Pulse Units
If you recycle every Fried Motherboard you find, you can accidentally slow down your own progression. Many players discover they have every other required material but must return to farming because they already recycled their boards.
The safest approach is to keep at least three in storage until the Utility Station upgrade is complete.
Real Impact: Numbers and Strategy
Let’s compare the outcomes:
Selling Three Fried Motherboards
6,000 Raider Coins total
Recycling Three Fried Motherboards
15 Plastic Parts
6 Electrical Components
Depending on your current needs, the crafting materials can be far more valuable than the direct coin payout, especially if you're pushing workstation upgrades and advanced crafting.
By comparison, salvaging those same three boards during raids would only provide:
15 Wires
That’s a huge difference in overall value and utility.
Where to Find More Fried Motherboards
Because they are rare and required for progression, knowing where to farm them is important.
Good hunting locations include technological areas on maps such as:
Dam Battlegrounds
Spaceport
Stella Montis
Focus on:
Server rooms
Computer desks
Office areas
Tech containers
Breachable lockers
Electronic equipment clusters
Many players report finding one or more Fried Motherboards per successful farming run when targeting these locations specifically instead of following a general loot route.
Never field-salvage Fried Motherboards unless you desperately need wires.
Keep at least three boards for your Utility Station Level 3 upgrade.
Recycle extras in your hideout for the best material return.
Sell surplus boards if you need Raider Coins.
For players interested in efficient progression and resource management, understanding items like the Fried Motherboard is just as important as weapon upgrades or combat skill.
Whether you choose to recycle, sell, or save them for upgrades, Fried Motherboards are one of those deceptively valuable items that can have a major impact on your progression in ARC Raiders. Managing them correctly can save hours of additional farming and help you advance your hideout much more efficiently.
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