Should You Buy a Used Graphics Card for Gaming?
The prices of new graphics cards make it really hard to get one that will satisfy your gaming needs. Brand-new chips are disappearing from the market like never before due to the high demand for crypto mining. Buying a secondhand or used graphics card is the only option left. Is it worth buying a used graphics card to play games?
The answer depends on what sort of scenarios the graphics card has previously been through. You should think twice before buying a GPU that has been used in a mining rig. Here are some reasons why you need to be cautious.
During the lifespan of a GPU, mining crypto 24/7 can reduce its functionality by up to 10% per year, according to a recent study. Due to a worldwide GPU shortage, the prices of lower-end cards have surged to an unpredicted level, and consumers are left with no option but to buy used chips. A GTX 1060 card can be purchased for more than $275, up from $175 in 2019.
Gaming with a used graphics card
You would be better off opting for a second-hand graphics card until the prices of graphics cards return to their MSRP level. Almost half of the cost of a new graphics card can be saved by purchasing a used one.
When buying a used GPU, it is important to set a budget and performance expectations. You can get powerful graphics cards that last for years and perform just as well as brand-new one if you leave your budget aside.
Used graphics cards are available on eBay at the moment. Due to China’s crypto mining ban, new graphics cards have become available more readily because of the room left. There has been a significant drop in prices for RTX chips by 15%, which suggests prices for old-generation cards will also fall in the future.
Buying used GPUs: Things to consider
You might be thinking about buying a second-hand video card, but here are a few factors you should consider:
Make sure not to buy mining cards
A graphics card’s physical condition can tell you about its condition, but it cannot tell you how intensively the previous owner used it. It’s especially important to be careful if you want to buy used RTX chips that say “Never mind.”. Crypto mining rigs are only equipped with RTX graphics cards that are the true diamonds.
There’s no point in buying a listing if it’s claimed to be unopened, “out of the box”, or “factory sealed”, as these things aren’t genuine.
It is likely that a GPU designed for gaming will have dirt on the fan blades and heatsink after being pushed too far. Cleaning a GPU isn’t that difficult. A physical test of the graphics card is recommended before buying it in this case, so you can check it yourself before buying. Make sure the edges of the screws are clean and look for warranty stickers. The GPU is not part of a mining rig, so its performance speaks for itself.
Age
Taking a look at a graphics card’s age is a simple formula. The age of a GPU is determined by its release date. It is more likely that the Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti, for example, could have been used for mining since it is more than five years old.
As a result, secondhand video cards from the latest generation are safer than chips from previous generations. Taking the RTX 3080 as an example, this card still has much more life left before it gets retired, even if it has been part of a mining rig.
If you decide to buy an old generation GTX 1050 Ti, you will probably get one that is nearing its end of life. GPUs of older generations have a higher incidence of capacitors and VRMs failing sooner or later.
Physical Condition
Taking a look at how a graphics card looks in order to determine its usage history is an excellent way to determine how it has been used. You should check the VRMs and capacitors on the board, making sure that they are not broken or blown. Ensure that the cooling fan, video ports, and brackets are connected to the mainboard by checking extensively.
The seller of a used GPU you are considering buying from an online marketplace should send you additional photos from all sides of the card. It’s fine to accept signs of normal wear and tear on a used graphics card. A card in poor physical condition, means that it has been overused and shouldn’t be bought.
Nvidia or AMD
We’ve compared AMD and Nvidia in-depth, but using video cards provides a slightly different experience. The brand you choose doesn’t matter unless the chip performs in a particular way.
for example, A GPU from the Nvidia RTX series or AMD RX 6000 series allows you to:
Make use of ray tracing when playing games. Nvidia RTX cards support DLSS 2.0, but AMD lacks this functionality.
VRAM is important since most games require more for smooth gameplay. 4GB is the minimum requirement. In comparison with Nvidia’s comparable graphics cards, AMD offers more VRAM.
Everyone looks for a used graphics card with the best price-to-performance ratio, so the brand is irrelevant.
Price
Suppose you find a listing that shows an RTX 3060 for $500. That might be a red flag. If a price is lower than expected, always find out why and proceed if you receive a satisfactory response. If you and the seller are able to agree on a sweet spot, you can negotiate for a higher price.
Stress Testing GPU
The vendor should stress test the GPU as soon as possible if you are buying a used GPU from a local computer shop, Facebook Marketplace, or Craiglist. The real power and performance of a GPU can be revealed by stress testing or benchmarking it. To test your GPU’s capabilities, there are many benchmarking applications like 3D Mark, FurMark, and Unigine Heaven.
For the graphics card’s temperature range, fan speed, and power consumption, you can install third-party software like GPU-Z or HWInfo64. Anything over 80 degrees is a problem on a GPU. A GPU can reach a temperature of up to 80 degrees, but anything over 80 degrees is a problem.
It is possible to request screenshots of the GPU benchmark results from a seller when you are shopping on an online marketplace so that you can better determine the GPU’s stability and performance.
Warranty
Used graphics cards under warranty are hard to find these days. If you were successful in getting under warranty, you would have essentially purchased a new card. Getting a GPU repaired or replaced if anything goes wrong is as easy as getting a warranty of few months.
Legit Marketplace
It’s worth looking for used hardware on a reputable platform whenever you’re buying used hardware, whether it’s graphics or something else. Used video cards can be found on eBay, which is the most trusted market. Before choosing a seller on eBay, you can also view their history and positive feedback.
Searching for a used GPU on Chinese markets like Alibaba or AliExpress is never a good idea. You may be tempted to book GPUs on such a market because of the low prices, but you will most probably end up with a faulty or low-quality it
Conclusion– Is it Worth Buying a Used GPU?
Lastly, if you’re considering buying a used graphics card, you’ll want to ensure that it hasn’t been used in a mining rig. Go for the used GPU if your favorite GPU is out of reach and there is no other way to get it.
In addition to getting peace of mind, you are able to test the graphics card yourself if you buy it from a local shop or Facebook Marketplace. The refund policy won’t apply once you’ve paid for the card, so if something goes wrong with it later, you won’t be able to get a refund.
Online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon take more care of their buyers than their sellers. Due to their buyers’ protection policy, you are better protected. The final point to remember is that purchasing a used GPU is still far better than buying a brand-new GPU that is inflated in price.
You can also read Are Refurbished Graphics Cards Worth Buying?