Given the ever-present GPU hype, you might have wondered if paying the retail price is worth it or if you should simply buy a second-hand graphics card.
This is a wholly rational way of thinking, especially considering that almost every other piece of technology can be bought second-hand and used perfectly well.
That is the crux of the issue; it could be fine, but it might not be. This guide will break down some of the potential dangers when buying a used graphics card, but we will also consider the beneficial aspects.
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The Key Reason To Buy A Used Graphics Card
As with any other used item, not only technology but also cars or kitchen appliances, the primary advantage of buying a used product is a far more affordable price, and that same logic applies to graphics cards. The truth is that you can easily find a much cheaper used GPU from a previous generation but is it worth it?
In most cases, a used graphics card will be safe to buy, and you will have nothing to worry about. Due to the price drop, it may even be more prudent to buy a used graphics card than a new one. It’s certainly far more cost-effective, and it’s usually better to buy the last generation’s flagship than the current generation’s mid-range card.
Before buying, you should first contemplate the benchmarks and supplementary specifications. For example, if you consider buying NVIDIA’s GTX 1080 Ti over an RTX 2070, it would be a better option to choose the newer card, mainly due to its groundbreaking ray-tracing capabilities.
However, buying a used RTX 2080 Ti might be a better option than an RTX 3060 Ti. Yes, the RTX 3060 Ti is technically considered a budget card, and their performances are relatively similar.
However, with the hype of this new generation, the RTX 2080 Ti is rapidly losing popularity, and its price will only lower as time goes by, while the cost of the RTX 3060 Ti will likely remain steady until the next generation arrives, presumably around the end of 2022.
This applies not only to generational leaps, since you can attain a similar outcome through the mid-generation upgrade.
This was particularly clear in NVIDIA’s RTX 2000 series card. An RTX 2060 dropped by around $100-120 when the RTX 2060 Super was released.
In short, the performance-to-price ratio makes buying an older, secondhand card a better choice, especially if you are buying on a tighter budget.
The Cons Of Buying A Used GPU
As with any other secondhand item, there are inherent risks and some things that you might need to wager on. A crucial note here is that there is a difference between fixable and irreparable problems.
Saggy PCB
Today, a sagging PCB is rarely a significant issue, but it is still something that can happen, so you should pay attention to it.
If you experience this problem, we can’t in good conscience recommend acquiring the card. Another concern that could affect the PCB is that it simply isn’t functional, which is why you should ensure the card works before buying.
Overheating/Broken Fans
The most common issue that you’ll run into with used graphics cards is extreme heating. Fortunately, this is usually just an issue with excessive dust and is a solvable problem. Sometimes, this will cause the GPU fans to stop spinning, but that is also something that can be fixed relatively effortlessly.
You should also note that it’s possible that sometimes the fans won’t work at all, but the remainder of the card functions flawlessly, so you might be able to knock a few dollars off that card.
However, you will need to invest some time, and likely additional funds, to replace the fans and bring the card back to functional condition.
Crypto Mining Wear And Tear
The biggest drawback of getting a used card is that you can never be truly certain what the card was previously used for. It’s possible that the card was used for ordinary, everyday gaming and is perfectly fine to use. However, it’s also possible that it was used for crypto mining.
If the card was used as a part of a mining setup, it could certainly have some inherent flaws. These cards have to be turned on and working at their full capacity for extended periods of time. This could be weeks, months, or even years.
This excessive workload means the circuitry is exposed to substantial amounts of power running through it, which can reduce its lifespan. Other things that could cause harm to the card include the conditions in which it was employed.
Miners often look to use as many GPUs as they can in as small an area as possible, which means the card will be tightly packed inside a rig and is warmed not only by itself but also by its adjacent cards.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to tell if a GPU was used for mining. The best thing you can do to notice any heat damage is to look very carefully at the PCB and try to spot any discoloration.
This is usually the clearest indicator that a graphics card won’t last long.
Another way to check how much the GPU can handle is to run a stress test on it with software designed for the task, such as Furmark. That way, you can see how the card responds under extreme load and if it can maintain a steady temperature.
So, Should You Get A Used GPU?
We hope that we have clearly presented arguments for and against buying a used graphics card and that you can now make an informed decision on your own. Our best advice would be to consider your budget first and primarily but also to do some research to find the optimal price-to-performance ratio.
If possible, you should be tolerant and wait for the appropriate time to buy a new graphics card. We hope that you will consider choosing to buy a used one.
