Servers

Servers in South Africa: prices, warranty and what to write

Updated 3 November 2026

In South Africa an older-generation rack server costs about R 6,500 to R 27,300, and a current-generation entry model about R 51,500 and up. The price depends on processor, memory, drives and warranty. For current replies, describe the workload on BlaBlaPrice.

Warranty and consumer rights

The Consumer Protection Act gives buyers an implied warranty of quality, so a faulty server can be repaired, replaced or refunded even after a manufacturer's warranty ends. A snippet from the listings says businesses under the Consumer Goods and Services Industry Code must honour a 6-month refund, repair or replace warranty, so check that it applies to your purchase. Ask for the warranty terms in writing. Note that a warranty can exclude damage from misuse, accidents or unauthorised changes after delivery.

Heat and cooling in summer

Summer runs from December to February, and that is the hot season for equipment rooms. Plan airflow and cooling before it starts, because a server running hot in a small room can shorten its life. November is a sensible time to choose a model, so the server is in place before the summer heat. Winter (June to August) is cooler and gives a steadier room temperature.

Size, delivery and what the price includes

Rack servers are measured in rack units (U), so a 1U or 2U server has to fit your cabinet. A 42U free-standing cabinet appears in the listings at about R 10,000, which is a useful reference when budgeting. Check whether drives, memory and an operating system are included, because some listings sell the bare chassis. Ask about delivery to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria or Gqeberha, and confirm who handles returns.

What to write in your request

Say what the server will run, such as file storage, virtual machines, a database or a website. Then give the processor, RAM and drives you need, and whether you want new or used equipment. Add the warranty length, the delivery city and your budget. Mention whether the server is for a small office or a server room, because that decides between tower and rack form.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the workload in a chat, and the AI asks for the model, memory or budget if they are missing. It then looks through sellers' websites and price lists in South Africa and shows the prices and businesses it finds. Sellers registered on BlaBlaPrice reply in the chat with their own offer, price and warranty terms, and your contact details stay hidden until you choose to share them. Buying is free. For related items, see desktop computers or external storage, or start on the home page.