Abstract
- Shopping for a used graphics card saves 30-70% off the unique MSRP, making it definitely worth the small threat.
- Analysis the GPU market to search out one of the best playing cards and set a finances earlier than procuring.
- Be cautious when shopping for; examine visually, examine historical past, and take a look at in individual.
We’re dwelling in an period the place a brand new graphics card prices as a lot as a used automobile—I am taking a look at you, NVIDIA RTX 5090. However what if I advised you that you possibly can rating a lot of the efficiency at a fraction of the value by choosing a used card as an alternative?
Why Ought to You Purchase a Used Graphics Card, and Is It Protected?
Graphics playing cards are an important part for gaming, rendering, mining, and machine studying, which is why they’re usually the costliest a part of a pc. Nevertheless, additionally they are likely to depreciate probably the most, that means it can save you a reasonably penny just by getting a used one. In my expertise, shopping for a two-year-old GPU can save anyplace from 30–70% off the unique MSRP.
For those who’ve by no means purchased used computer hardware earlier than, I would not blame you for considering {that a} used graphics card could be much less dependable and will die at any second. Nevertheless, if the cardboard works if you purchase it, the probabilities of it dying aren’t considerably greater than if it was new, as illustrated by the “bathtub curve” graph. Bodily and electrical defects (often from manufacturing issues) imply that units that may fail have a tendency to take action early, since important issues are more likely to present up rapidly. As soon as units with these issues have been weeded out, nevertheless, most electronics will fortunately run for years with out situation, till mechanical put on turns into an issue. On a graphics card, mechanical put on mainly solely applies to the followers, which may often get replaced with out an excessive amount of bother.
By the point a GPU stops working, there is a good probability it will already be out of date. Over the previous 20 years, I’ve bought quite a few used graphics playing cards, and never a single one failed whereas I used to be utilizing them. Nevertheless, your expertise would possibly differ, which is why you have to be cautious when shopping for—and that is precisely why this information is right here.
One caveat with used playing cards is that you will in all probability should buy a last-gen mannequin—few individuals promote playing cards that got here out only a 12 months earlier. Even after they do, the value is commonly near MSRP. Nevertheless, that does not matter as a result of you may go for a higher-tier mannequin from a era or two in the past and nonetheless get glorious efficiency.
Set a Funds and Analysis the Market
For those who’ve determined to purchase a used graphics card, it is time to set a finances and analysis the present market. Your objective is to search out one of the best worth graphics card for the least cash attainable. GPU benchmarks are your greatest pal right here, however do not overlook options like DLSS and ray tracing, both.
When you’ve got a finances of $200, it is smart to have a look at a number of generations of AMD, NVIDIA, and Intel graphics playing cards to establish your greatest choices earlier than you begin procuring. Familiarize your self with how GPU naming conventions work and examine their efficiency. For instance, here is a listing of playing cards with comparable efficiency regardless of being from totally different manufacturers and generations:
Additionally, do not get fooled into paying additional for a fancier version of the same card—efficiency hardly ever differs, and also you’re higher off saving your cash for more RAM or a better motherboard.
The place to Purchase a Used Graphics Card
If you understand a pal or a pal of a pal who’s planning to improve their graphics card, ask them to promote you the previous one. Whilst you won’t get the very best deal, it is the most secure manner to purchase a card as a result of you may belief them greater than an nameless vendor, they usually’re extra more likely to be trustworthy concerning the card’s situation.
If that is not an possibility, one other comparatively protected possibility is pc shops that carry used {hardware}. Shops usually promote refurbished or used graphics playing cards at an affordable worth, and a few even take a look at the playing cards earlier than promoting and supply a restricted guarantee. Good locations to examine are Newegg and Amazon.
For the most important financial savings, albeit with probably the most threat, on-line marketplaces are your only option. eBay and Facebook Marketplace (which you’ll be able to browse without an account) are among the many high platforms for purchasing used GPUs. Small tech communities devoted to promoting {hardware}, resembling boards, Reddit, and Discord, require extra effort however can nonetheless be price it.
Analysis the Vendor and Graphics Card’s Historical past
As soon as you’ve got discovered a card, it is time to examine the finer particulars. Search for frequent purple flags like inventory pictures (as an alternative of actual pictures of the cardboard), an unrealistically low worth, imprecise merchandise description, lack of proof that the cardboard is working, not answering questions, and different evasive conduct.
You would possibly sometimes come throughout an outline that claims “solely used for gaming.” This suggests that the cardboard wasn’t used for crypto mining. Now, whether or not you need to buy a GPU that’s been used for mining is a subject of its personal.
Most crypto miners take excellent care of their playing cards by offering ample airflow and undervolting to forestall overheating, so it is not as dangerous as it’d sound. My final two playing cards got here from a mining rig, and I believe my present one did too, and I’ve had no points. That stated, your expertise is likely to be totally different from mine.
The vendor’s repute is extra essential than what the cardboard was used for. Search for suggestions concerning the vendor, and all the time prioritize these with constructive critiques and verified purchases.
Think about asking the vendor if they’re going to help you return the cardboard inside every week when you encounter any points. My pal and I purchased the identical RX 6800 XT mannequin from the identical vendor, and whereas my card labored flawlessly, my pal’s card would not boot and solely ran in protected mode. Thankfully, the vendor changed it with none trouble, making it a really constructive expertise total.
Visually Examine the Graphics Card
No matter whether or not you are having the cardboard shipped or shopping for in individual, all the time ask the vendor for pictures of the cardboard. If it is coated in mud, it may point out that the cardboard wasn’t well-maintained.
Examine the cardboard totally for damaged fan blades, broken connectors, and lacking screws. Moreover, examine the screws on the again for guarantee seals. In the event that they’re damaged or lacking, it means the cardboard was opened sooner or later. Even when it was only for a routine thermal paste change, ask the vendor about it.
Most significantly, request close-ups of either side of the gold contact pins on the underside, as this space is an efficient indicator of bodily put on and tear. Whereas put on does not essentially imply that the cardboard does not work, a card that is been ceaselessly inserted and faraway from a slot may have seen scuffs on the contact pins.
The non-working card I discussed earlier had considerably extra scratches than mine. For those who discover that some pins appear to be lacking items, don’t be concerned—that is in all probability a part of the design. Nonetheless, it is a good suggestion to check it in opposition to a photograph of the identical card on-line to make certain.
Along with the gold pins, pay shut consideration to the tiny SMD capacitors on either side, simply above them. These are extraordinarily fragile and might be knocked off by careless dealing with. Whereas some capacitors are there for redundancy, others are important, and the cardboard will not work with out them or may have decreased efficiency. You may must lookup close-up photos of the particular mannequin you are shopping for, as every card has a barely totally different structure.
Take a look at the Graphics Card in Individual
I all the time suggest shopping for used {hardware} in individual if attainable. This permits you not solely to examine the bodily situation of the cardboard however to additionally take a look at its efficiency. Ask the vendor to satisfy you at your home and take a look at it in your PC.
Earlier than you do, double-check that your energy provide is powerful enough to run the card and that it has all the mandatory connectors. Set up a couple of demanding video games and stress assessments or benchmark tools in an effort to take a look at the GPU’s stability and efficiency. One other good thought is to put in GPU-Z and examine if the GPU’s BIOS is the right one. You’ll find a listing of GPU BIOSes on TechPowerUp.
When operating the benchmark, pay shut consideration to the GPU’s temperatures—particularly the hotspot temperature, energy draw, and total efficiency. Are all of them inside the regular specs you discovered on-line? If the hotspot temperature continually approaches or exceeds 95°C, it suggests the GPU has been frequently uncovered to such temps. Whereas 95°C is likely to be thought-about regular underneath heavy load, I would be happier to see ~85°C.
Nonetheless, demanding video games present one of the best take a look at, as they’re going to rapidly reveal any odd artifacts or stability issues. Simply ensure to install the GPU drivers correctly first, as points brought on by the driving force can mimic {hardware} issues.
As for followers, it is regular for them to be considerably loud. Test if all the followers are spinning under load. Additionally, they should not be making any grinding or rattling noise. GPU coil whine might be horrifying to listen to, but it surely’s not one thing to be involved about. Highly effective GPUs are likely to have a extra pronounced coil whine, and it is typically unavoidable with such playing cards.
Shopping for a used graphics card is not a nasty thought in any respect; it is an effective way to economize. Now that you have learn our information, you are ready to snag a superb deal with out getting scammed. Good luck procuring!