Choosing Used GPU: A Complete Guide
If you’re thinking about building or purchasing a high-end gaming rig, you should pay close attention to the graphics card. In a gaming PC, the graphics card is one of the most important components. However, purchasing a GPU can be a difficult task because there are so many factors to consider, such as the type of display you’re using, the size of your casing, and so on. Often when there is a complete shortage of stock of the various AMD and NVIDIA GPUs in the market, many of us consider purchasing a used graphics card. Finding one, on the other hand, is an expedition, and there are places where they basically sell junk.
But it doesn’t have to be that difficult. You’re already a step closer to having the best-used graphics card for your needs if you know your budget, PC specifications, and performance objectives. Our GPU buyer’s guide will go over the intricacies of used graphics cards and shed light on the key attributes to look for when making a purchase decision. Follow our guide to avoid any problems and mistakes when purchasing a used GPU.
Which Used Graphics Card Should You Buy?
The card you should buy is determined by your gaming needs, financial plan, and personal preferences. The steps for purchasing a used chipset are largely the same as those for purchasing a new one: check benchmark results, reviews, testimonials, and, of course, compatibility. If you’re looking for an older model, we recommend Nvidia GPUs because they tend to last longer than AMD ones.
Used Graphics Cards: How to Buy
Recognizing your budget and setting realistic performance goals are the first steps in deciding which GPU to purchase. Whatever your financial plan, remember the hierarchy system of our GPU benchmarks. That is the most efficient method of comparing GPUs from various eras. Right now, you won’t be able to find a card that accomplishes like a $700 GPU for $350; although in some cases, you might be able to easily find a $400 card that performs like a $500 card. That is, at the very least the hope. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the finest used GPU.
Only Buy from Trusted Sellers
There are several credible places to look for used GPUs. You can look for it on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, as with many other products, but make sure you’re buying from a reputable seller. No matter how appealing a price appears, if the seller’s rating is less than 95%, you should probably avoid buying from them. While there are some honest sellers out there who are just getting started, it is not your responsibility to bet hundreds of dollars on them. Stick with sellers who have constantly high ratings and good reviews.
Thoroughly Research Pricing
This may go without saying, but don’t jump at the first good deal you come across! Continue to look for alternatives, and double-check that the “great deal” you’ve found is, in fact, a great deal.
Never Buy MSRP or Full Price
To be honest, this holds true to anything used. If you’re going to pay full price, just buy it fresh from Amazon. When it is used and close to MSRP, don’t bother! Continue searching for a decent deal or find an alternative card with comparable performance. The GPU shortage has long since ended, so there’s no reason for buying used cards at MSRP any longer.
The main reason for purchasing some used graphics card is to get a good deal or, at the very slightest, to get a card that is less expensive than a brand new one. With all this in mind, if all other factors are considered, price becomes the decisive factor. In our opinion, a price that is at least 20-30% lesser than the MSRP is best suited because it enables you to save a significant amount of money. Acquiring a used graphics card is usually not worth the risk if the price is nearly equal to the MSRP, as the savings will be quite negligible.
Is It Worth Buying a Card from A Cryptocurrency Mining Rig?
Mining is a very demanding task, so the graphics card being sold is likely to have serious depreciation. Of course, some miners care about durability, so they make sure the GPU isn’t overheating, but others don’t mind revving up the clock to maximize the hash rate. Buying a used mining card, on the other hand, is a real risk. We would advise against making that choice, especially if you are spending a significant amount of money.
If you’ve found some used card that meets all of your requirements and consider buying it, there is one more step you must take once the card arrives: test it thoroughly! The point is that you want to put significant strain on the GPU to ensure that it functions efficiently. If not, the quicker you request a refund and return the card, the better. You must also check the clock and memory speeds. Something is wrong if you only see 1500MHz while playing games on an RTX 2070, or if your memory runs at a slower speed than it should.
Conclusion
We believe it’s safe to say, unequivocally, that this is the most extensive used GPU buying guide you’ll find anywhere, as purchasing used GPUs continues to slip under the radar in some ways. When putting together a new gaming PC, the graphics card is often the most expensive thing on the package.
If you buy a dud that ultimately turns out to have problems, and you have not bought it taking the precautions, it is highly unlikely you will get your money back. However, the potential savings are worthwhile for many people, it can only be achieved if you check and take the right steps before the purchase. It’s not that difficult to do it successfully. PC builders frequently purchase used GPUs. But whether it’s worth the gamble or not is a question only you can answer, and it depends on how comfy you are with the method/platform you use to purchase your card.