The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Used Graphics Card

[Julio Franco]

There are many reasons why you would buy a used graphics card. First and foremost, the savings, of course. With the mining madness now over, we've been given the opportunity of buying graphics cards on the cheap. Also this past generation of GPUs also received a much longer than expected life cycle, meaning you are not getting overly old GPUs, but fairly serviceable gaming hardware.

Read the full article here.

https://www.techspot.com/article/1775-guide-buying-used-graphics-card/

 

[JRMBelgium]

What I don't lik is that he is using a Tombraider game from three years ago, a shooter from two and a half years ago and a racegame from a year and a half ago for a benchmark that will advice gamers in 2019. For example, AMD performs much better in Battlefield V vs Nvidia then it does in Battlefield 1. And in 2019 more people will buy Battlefield 5 instead of Battlefield 1. And since Battlefield 1 is 33% of his performance conclusion, his entire advice is useless for gamers in 2019.

 

[noel24]

What I don't lik is that he is using a Tombraider game from three years ago, a shooter from two and a half years ago and a racegame from a year and a half ago for a benchmark that will advice gamers in 2019. For example, AMD performs much better in Battlefield V vs Nvidia then it does in Battlefield 1. And in 2019 more people will buy Battlefield 5 instead of Battlefield 1. And since Battlefield 1 is 33% of his performance conclusion, his entire advice is useless for gamers in 2019.

Apparently You're not aware of recent Battlefield V controversy. People are not buying this game out of spite for EA for rewriting history, looking down at fans That critisized It, and finally calling Them uneducated.
On a technical note, both games are created mainly for current gen consoles. Should perform on par, after patched and optimised.
And It's really sad state of affairs with nGreedia monopoly that major tech outlet as Techspot must advice readers what used card to buy to upgrade over their 4 year old GTX960 or 970 to feel that They upgraded.
Right now I'm bent on keeping my 970 as long as possible. It's in the middle of the first chart (one might call it mid-tier card). Don't play that much anymore anyway.

 

[Cycloid Torus]

Nice article, Steve!

eBay offers "eBay Money Back Guarantee". Amazon offers a slightly more complicated "A to Z Guarantee" to cover 3rd party sales. Amazon also has a 'Renewed' store which includes 3rd party vendors which might deliver a more comprehensive support if there is a product issue. Depending on which you prefer, it is essential that you read and fully understand whatever warranties or guarantees are offered.

Best advice - do not buy any off-brand or generic items (too many of these are fakes), be aware of from where the item ships, store screenshots/hardcopies in a folder and keep packaging until you are fully satisfied. If bidding, set your maximum price beforehand (I write it on a printout of the item details) and stick to it.

Another bargain will be available tomorrow.

 

[darkzelda]

Great article, I recently bought a GTX 1080TI, I hope to use it at least 4 years.

 

[poohbear]

Upgraded from my GTX 970 to a used Asus Strix GTX 1070 (highest-end 1070 model) for only $230 used. Can't complain at all. Seller had 10 of them for mining but he only used them for 2 months before crypto plummeted. It still has a 2 year warranty left on it, and with the Strix cooler having kept it ice cool during the mining, I'm quite confident this card will last me 4 years like my GTX 970 did. Plays all the games I throw at it @ 1440p with ease.

I just can't fathom how anyone would pay $500+ tax & shipping for a GTX 2070 when there are so many incredible deals on the used market.

 

[Drago89]

I recently bought a GTX 1070TI, I was playing (for 8 years) with a GTX 570.
From 39 FPS to 151 FPS. Unbelievable I'm so happy.

 

[toooooot]

I really need a 1080ti. I just need it to be slightly cheaper than I can find. People buy it for 500 on Offerup. I really wanna get one for this price, but with eBay protection...

 

[JRMBelgium]

What I don't lik is that he is using a Tombraider game from three years ago, a shooter from two and a half years ago and a racegame from a year and a half ago for a benchmark that will advice gamers in 2019. For example, AMD performs much better in Battlefield V vs Nvidia then it does in Battlefield 1. And in 2019 more people will buy Battlefield 5 instead of Battlefield 1. And since Battlefield 1 is 33% of his performance conclusion, his entire advice is useless for gamers in 2019.

Apparently You're not aware of recent Battlefield V controversy. People are not buying this game out of spite for EA for rewriting history, looking down at fans That critisized It, and finally calling Them uneducated.
On a technical note, both games are created mainly for current gen consoles. Should perform on par, after patched and optimised.
And It's really sad state of affairs with nGreedia monopoly that major tech outlet as Techspot must advice readers what used card to buy to upgrade over their 4 year old GTX960 or 970 to feel that They upgraded.
Right now I'm bent on keeping my 970 as long as possible. It's in the middle of the first chart (one might call it mid-tier card). Don't play that much anymore anyway.

Battlefield V population is 3 tims larger then BF1 population. People might not be buying it as much, but that doesn't change the fact that the playerbase on BF1 is not big anymore.

 

[noel24]

What...2019.

Apparently...anyway.

Battlefield V population is 3 tims larger then BF1 population. People might not be buying it as much, but that doesn't change the fact that the playerbase on BF1 is not big anymore.

I cannot disagree, MP game from 2016 is less popular on servers than game from 2018, severely discounted few month after release, due to despise from core fans. And BFV is a headache for EA due to share price drop caused by shareholders disillusionment with the AAA game industry.

 

[riskobo]

I don't trust second hand. Usually not worthy. On the other side I used to sell barely used HW, sometimes not used at all, for less than a half price. If I will see true offer like this iigjt consider buying second hand HW. Still not for my primary PC.

 

[i3kingwizardop]

Just bought a 1080 Ti off ebay for $500 shipped. Yes, it was a mining card but it was used underclocked and is in perfect pristine condition. Before that I got a 1060 3gb for $150 after selling my old 960 for $175. Got an upgrade and $25 cash back!

 

[Draconian]

In August, I bought a used GTX 1080 Founder's Edition on eBay for $300. Its been a great card. I'm glad I got it to replace my GTX 670.

 

[torchyear]

Hats off to you again @Steve for a great article. Any suggestions for what I should do with the GTX560ti and GTX460 cards on my shelf? Door stop? Cheese grater? Space heater?

 

[cliffordcooley]

Perhaps your old cards can be used as wheel chocks.

 

[Dennis O]

Thanks for taking the time to share some solid info. I was about to do a Win 10 reinstall - I'll try this method and can hopefully save some progs and data.
Woops, wrong article. Looks like a newbie mistake. Sorry

However, I've been considering a used GPU since reading this one. All around sweet site and techs.

 

[Right side bob]

Should I upgrade my GTX 745 or keep it till I play more modern games?

 

[Nobina]

The hardest thing about buying a used product is avoiding experienced scammers. I usually look for used stuff that has some warranty left.

 

[StupidPeopleSuk]

Can someone please explain why gaming frame rates are the only standards by which GPU performance is judged ?

Just in case anyone is wondering, SOME people use GPU's for stuff OTHER than playing video games. Shocking I know, but it's the truth

 

[Steve]

Can someone please explain why gaming frame rates are the only standards by which GPU performance is judged ?

Just in case anyone is wondering, SOME people use GPU's for stuff OTHER than playing video games. Shocking I know, but it's the truth

It's complex and difficult to explain, but if I could boil it all down into simple terms it would be something like, because the content was focused on gamers and intended only for gaming. I know that's an oversimplification, but like I said it's a complex topic

 

[CaptainTom]

What I don't lik is that he is using a Tombraider game from three years ago, a shooter from two and a half years ago and a racegame from a year and a half ago for a benchmark that will advice gamers in 2019. For example, AMD performs much better in Battlefield V vs Nvidia then it does in Battlefield 1. And in 2019 more people will buy Battlefield 5 instead of Battlefield 1. And since Battlefield 1 is 33% of his performance conclusion, his entire advice is useless for gamers in 2019.

Yeah, I was very curious about this article... but it seems useless. What a massive waste of time and money benchmarking this lol.

 

[audioman83]

Thanks for the article. Lot's of work and appreciated.

 

[OutlawCecil]

Upgraded from my GTX 970 to a used Asus Strix GTX 1070 (highest-end 1070 model) for only $230 used. Can't complain at all. Seller had 10 of them for mining but he only used them for 2 months before crypto plummeted. It still has a 2 year warranty left on it, and with the Strix cooler having kept it ice cool during the mining, I'm quite confident this card will last me 4 years like my GTX 970 did. Plays all the games I throw at it @ 1440p with ease.

I just can't fathom how anyone would pay $500+ tax & shipping for a GTX 2070 when there are so many incredible deals on the used market.

I keep trying to upgrade from my GTX 970 too but can never find decent deals for the performance increase. You helped with that. thanks!

 

[ShagnWagn]

Thanks for the article, but as others state the games referenced are old. You are also comparing settings at medium quality. If I am buying a "new" (new to me anyway), I am not wanting graphics at medium. You are also referencing 1080p, which again if I am upgrading it will be for 1440p or higher. I assume most others feel the same way.

It is also sad that some are scraping the barrel for video cards that should have been obsolete a while ago. If this were a normal refresh cycle, we wouldn't even be considering these old cards. The mining stupidity has destroyed the gaming scene. Mining has zero productive value, which makes the sting even worse. You would think the sudden influx of vast amounts of money would have advanced graphics cards significantly. We lose on both sides.

Computer hardware does not degrade with use - even overclocked 24/7. I have been overclocking mine and others' for over two decades and my computers last 8+ years and still ticking. If hardware fails, it is nearly always because of a power issue or someone doesn't clean the dust off their CPU/vcard (overheating, which I do not do when overclocking). I also do not turn my computers off as the initial shock of powering on hardware is also the most prone time for failure. So, there you have my personal experience.

 

[lordraptor1]

My advice is DONT buy a used gpu at all, let the miners lose their shirts for driving the prices sky high. problem now is this thanks to the miners driving the prices through the roof, now that gpu mining isn't profitable for these people the manufacturers and retailers see how much some people were willing to pay and the prices of gpu's have been changed forever and I don't know about all of you but If I am lucky I could get a mid level gpu of course it would require a few months of saving in order to do so and this lends me to believe pc gaming is dead and buried when a console costs about the same as a mid level gpu and all you need is a console and a tv ( cheaper than even a low end gaming pc)