Do you have to purchase a used graphics card? Each few years, cryptocurrencies appear to go nuts and the greatest graphics playing cards all disappear into the keen arms of miners. The previous two years proved to be a very tough time, as element shortages and provide chain points mixed with the pandemic and cryptocurrency miners to make it practically not possible to discover a respectable value on a GPU. That home of playing cards has lastly collapsed, and GPU costs are dropping rapidly, particularly on used playing cards. Which raised the query: Do you have to contemplate shopping for a used graphics card:?
We’re not alone in warning of the hazards of secondhand GPUs. Lately, graphics card maker Palit warned (opens in new tab) that 24/7 GPU mining may scale back a GPU’s efficiency by round 10% per yr. After all, Palit additionally sells Galax and KFA2 branded GPUs, and it has a vested curiosity in players shopping for new playing cards moderately than used playing cards. That goes for each add-in card (AIC) accomplice of AMD and Nvidia, and in the event that they’re attempting to clear stock on present era GPUs earlier than the subsequent era stuff launches later this yr, used playing cards merely signify extra competitors.
With cryptocurrency mining profitability now in the bathroom — an RTX 3090 solely nets about $1 per day, an RTX 3080 is all the way down to round $0.80 per day, and the Radeon RX 6900 XT/6800 XT/6800 will do about $0.60 per day — lots of the massive mining farms are able to pocket their present positive aspects or lower their losses, promoting off used {hardware} in bulk. You possibly can lastly purchase an upgraded GPU for lower than MSRP, in different phrases, typically rather a lot much less whenever you purchase used.
However even in the event you can purchase a used card, ought to you? Listed here are the issues it’s best to know whenever you’re contemplating shopping for a used graphics card.
Value and Efficiency: Trying to find a Deal
There is a course of to figuring out what GPU you should purchase, and it begins with understanding your funds and setting lifelike efficiency expectations. No matter funds you are contemplating, maintain our GPU benchmarks hierarchy useful. That is one of the best ways to see how the varied GPUs from totally different generations stack up.
There’s mainly nothing from the prior generations that may match the efficiency of a present era RTX 3080 or RX 6800 XT, however an RTX 2070 Tremendous for example will nonetheless typically outperform the newer RTX 3060. For funds playing cards, there are much more choices. The RX 6500 XT is perhaps comparatively new, nevertheless it provides much less efficiency than the GTX 1060 6GB from 2016.
We’re beginning to see much more used GPUs hitting locations like eBay now. The sage recommendation is that it’s best to skip shopping for a used card, as you do not wish to inherit another person’s issues simply to save lots of a couple of dollars. Besides, we’re probably not speaking about saving only a few bucks.
The GeForce RTX 3060 is meant to begin at $330, in line with Nvidia’s MSRP, however the most cost-effective new playing cards at the moment promote for $400 on the retail market. Turning to eBay, the typical bought value over the previous week was $377. Saving $23 by shopping for used? No thanks! Nonetheless, some auctions have gone for below $300, and that is sufficient to probably sway some patrons. Alternatively, the RTX 2070 is simply barely slower and had a mean eBay value of $326, with some auctions going for as little as $260. Would you be prepared to go along with a used card of comparable efficiency in the event you may save $140, or about one third of the value? That is the conundrum we face.
Principally, it is advisable decide whether or not a used card represents a deal or not. For a current-generation card, that in all probability means 10–20% beneath the official MSRP for a used card that is speculated to price below $700, however you would possibly be capable to discover a GeForce RTX 3090 (opens in new tab) for example for lower than half the unique MSRP.
Additionally be aware that common eBay costs for the most recent era GPUs (Nvidia Ampere and AMD RDNA2) have dropped 10–15% each month for the previous a number of months. Older era playing cards have typically dropped much more in costs since these are much less fascinating (see beneath). The RX 6600 for example is a bit quicker than a GTX 1080 Ti and makes use of 45% much less energy. By these metrics, a used GTX 1080 Ti would solely make sense if the value was fairly a bit lower than the price of an RX 6600, notably since you may get the latter new.
Assume the Worst and Put together for it
There isn’t any technique to inform what the earlier proprietor(s) might need achieved with a graphics card whenever you’re procuring on-line, so our recommendation is to imagine the worst. Do not belief the vendor to provide truthful info. Any itemizing that claims it was “by no means used for mining” at this level might be a lie. Some sellers will truly inform you {that a} card was used for mining, however even then we would assume most overclocks and redlining, with playing cards probably pushed past secure limits. We might even be cautious of “like new,” “open field,” and even “manufacturing unit sealed” listings, as all might be faked.
Murphy’s Legislation is in full impact right here. If one thing may have been achieved with a GPU, it in all probability was. However that does not imply a card cannot be salvaged. Thermal pads and thermal paste can deteriorate over time, and dirt can construct up within the fan blades and heatsink fins. It is potential a little bit of cleansing and TLC will make a card that was struggling run like new. Consider the price of new pads and even new followers, in addition to the time required to wash a card.
There’s an exception to this, nevertheless: For those who can meet up in particular person for a purchase order, you’ll be able to inform rather a lot a couple of card simply by it. Test for mud, and test to see if the screws holding the cardboard collectively have been eliminated. (These “guarantee void” stickers do even have some profit.) If somebody has a card in hand and it seems clear, particularly within the nooks and crevices, there is a good probability it wasn’t mining flat out for a few years. That is the place locations like Fb Market or Craigslist might be much better than shopping for from eBay.
Graphics Card Age Issues
Like every product, age could make an enormous distinction. We’re not coping with antiques, the place older means higher. It is extra like shopping for a used automotive. If one thing is simply a yr previous, even when it was pushed exhausting, it ought to nonetheless have a guaranty and is much less more likely to have critical issues. A automotive that is ten years previous with over 150,000 miles alternatively may simply be asking for bother.
For those who discover a cheap deal on an RTX 3050, worst-case, it has been used 24/7 for mining since late January 2022 — and it wasn’t ever a very nice mining GPU to start with. Whereas 24/7 mining will put extra put on and tear on a card than gaming 4 or 5 hours a day, we would nonetheless count on a card that is lower than a yr previous to run video games with none points. A GTX 1070 Ti in the meantime may have been used on and off for mining for greater than 4 years, and even with out mining, it is perhaps a unclean mess.
Briefly, shopping for a used GPU that is from the most recent era tends to be safer than shopping for a earlier top-tier GPU from a number of years again. You would possibly get fortunate with a pristine GTX 1080 Ti, or you might find yourself with a 1080 Ti on its final legs, with VRMs or different parts on the board which might be beginning to go dangerous. Plan accordingly.
Associated considerably to age, sure graphics playing cards have not been good for mining — notably Ethereum mining — for some time. Proper now, you want a GPU with over 4GB VRAM to even attempt to mine Ethereum, and that is been the case for over a yr. So in the event you’re out there for a GTX 1060 3GB for no matter motive, for example, you in all probability will not get a card that was within the mines since beginning. Not that we would suggest a 3GB card today.
Additionally, in the event you’re digging deep within the discount bins, do be aware that AMD has now formally retired all R9 300-series and earlier GPUs, together with the R9 Fury / Nano playing cards. Solely RX sequence playing cards nonetheless have energetic driver help. Nvidia has additionally retired driver help for GTX 700-series and earlier GPUs. That won’t matter an excessive amount of within the quick time period, however Home windows 11 and future video games could not run nicely or in any respect on older playing cards. If you wish to play the most recent releases, you may need a minimum of an RX 400-series AMD GPU or a GTX 900-series Nvidia GPU.
Pay Shut Consideration to Return Stipulations
Typically talking, in the event you purchase one thing off eBay, even when the vendor says “no returns accepted,” you’ll be able to nonetheless ask for a refund if the product would not work. However it’s higher to take care of somebody that has a traditional 30-day return coverage.
Associated to this, you may be higher off shopping for one thing from inside your nation of residence. Whereas returning a defective product to China is perhaps potential, it takes rather a lot longer, and delivery will in all probability price extra. Plus, it’d take per week or extra to get to you within the first place, which is not enjoyable in the event you simply desire a working graphics card.
You must also have a look at the vendor’s historical past. Do not buy something from a brand-new vendor, notably if the deal seems too good to be true — it in all probability is! Somebody with lots of or hundreds of previous transactions will not wish to injury their fame. Many graphics card firms even have eBay shops, which needs to be safer than different choices (assuming they’ve any stock in inventory).
Pay shut consideration to the outline as nicely, notably for bogus “field solely” or “image” listings. For eBay, you’ll be able to put a minus check in entrance of phrases you want to exclude out of your search outcomes. We suggest utilizing the next phrases on any GPU searches:
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AMD or Nvidia
We have mentioned AMD vs. Nvidia elsewhere, however that is a have a look at the present state of affairs. For those who’re shopping for a used graphics card, notably one which’s greater than a few years previous, issues might be fairly totally different. You will wish to take note of options, so ray tracing for example is simply supported on Nvidia’s RTX sequence or AMD’s RX 6000-series components — not that you just want ray tracing to play most video games. DLSS additionally requires an Nvidia RTX card. Test the GPU energy consumption as nicely, and ensure your PSU can present sufficient juice for no matter card you are contemplating.
Outdoors of these elements, we haven’t any main issues with shopping for an AMD or Nvidia card. Once more, it goes again to efficiency and value as the primary concerns. For those who discover a card that delivers the efficiency you need at an appropriate value, the GPU model is not often a vital issue.
Additionally take note of VRAM, which has grow to be extra of an element with the most recent video games. GPUs with 4GB or much less VRAM could restrict the settings you’ll be able to choose in some video games, and may even battle to run some latest releases at low-quality settings. AMD tends to supply extra VRAM for the same value in comparison with Nvidia. Principally, if you wish to play the most recent video games, 6GB needs to be absolutely the minimal, and 8GB or extra is a safer selection.
Stress Testing and Benchmarking
For those who discover a used card that meets your whole standards and also you determine to purchase it, there’s nonetheless one closing step as soon as the cardboard arrives: Take a look at the hell out of it! Our graphics card opinions and benchmarks can provide you some concept of what to anticipate by way of efficiency, assuming you’ve gotten a equally quick CPU and system, however stability is simply as vital as velocity for a used half.
We suggest breaking out some strenuous benchmarks when you get the cardboard, to confirm it really works correctly. 3DMark would possibly suffice, nevertheless it’s most helpful in case you have a paid model the place you’ll be able to inform it to loop a take a look at sequence 50 occasions. FurMark is an effective torture take a look at, however any demanding 3D recreation can suffice. You will wish to have another utilities operating to test GPU temperatures, fan speeds, and energy use. The truth is, we’ve a complete article on learn how to take a look at your graphics card.
The purpose is that you just wish to throw some critical work on the GPU to make sure it runs correctly. If it would not, the earlier you’ll be able to ask for a refund and return the cardboard, the higher. You must also test clock speeds and reminiscence speeds. For those who’re solely seeing 1500MHz whereas gaming on an RTX 2070, or your reminiscence runs at a decrease velocity than it ought to, one thing is flawed. See our learn how to test your graphics card temperature for extra particulars.
For those who run HWInfo64, MSI Afterburner, or another utility and log the outcomes, search for a decline in clocks accompanied by a quick ramp in temperatures. It is commonplace to see 70–80 levels Celsius on many GPUs, however something above 80C tends to be worrisome. This does fluctuate by GPU (e.g. AMD’s RX Vega playing cards tended to get hotter than competing GPUs), so perform a little research as nicely, however we favor to maintain our GPU temperatures within the 70s or beneath.
Closing Ideas on Shopping for a Used Graphics Card
If studying this has you nervous that you’re going to spend a bunch of cash on a used graphics card solely to finish up with a non-functional lemon, we have achieved our job. Given what we have seen from cryptomining over the previous few years, we would be hesitant to purchase a used card as nicely. However determined occasions name for determined measures, and in case your primary GPU simply went stomach up otherwise you’re hoping to get into PC gaming for the primary time, you would possibly want to contemplate a used GPU.
Coping with an area vendor (e.g. by way of Fb Market or Craigslist or related) would possibly give you extra peace of thoughts in some circumstances, however when you pay money it turns into far tougher to get a refund. eBay and public sale websites aren’t essentially nice both, however eBay tends to facet with patrons much more typically than sellers. Store from a longtime eBay vendor with a protracted historical past (years of exercise) and good suggestions, and also you in all probability (hopefully) will not get burned.
Given the selection between shopping for a brand new graphics card for MSRP and saving a bit of cash by going with a earlier era card that may carry out a bit worse, we would virtually invariably advise PC players to suck it up and spend the additional cash on a brand new card. It is merely a lot safer and fewer more likely to trigger issues. But when cash is brief otherwise you’ve came across a very compelling deal — and if you understand how to wash and repair a used GPU — there’s maybe worse issues you might do than shopping for a used graphics card.
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