Thinking of buying a second-hand GPU? before read this
The prices of the video cards stabilize, although too good offers also appear in the second-hand market. If you are thinking of buying one of the latter, you should be careful, since it could have been used to mine cryptocurrencies.
The cryptocurrency debacle is having a positive effect on video card prices. Over the past few weeks, we have seen a steady increase in inventory and a massive supply of pre-owned GPUs at rock-bottom prices. If you are considering buying one to update your equipment, beware! While it may sound appealing, the reality is that you could end up with a headache.
Some GeForce RTX 30s used to mine cryptocurrency sells for attractive prices in Asian markets. However, they come with many problems. According to Wccftech, a user bought a GeForce RTX 3080 for around 510 euros, a bargain at that price.
The detail is that your GPU was no longer registering the original amount of VRAM because two modules stopped working. The user found that his RTX 3080 only had 8 GB, contrary to the 10 or 12 GB of the models sold in the market. The modules may have given way under use, but the card continued to operate thanks to the memory controller and ECC.
Cases like this could multiply in the coming months due to the indiscriminate offer of cards that appear on websites with second-hand products. Although some mention that a second-hand GPU from an enthusiastic gamer “wears more” than what we find in a cryptocurrency rig, the truth is that there are factors such as BIOS flashing, undervolt, constant changes of thermal paste, and other adjustments. Necessary to cope with the burden of being on 24/7 for a long time.
The components are damaged in extreme cases, and only rebelling can rescue them.
What you should know before buying a second-hand GPU
Before opening the wallet, it is necessary to follow some steps. It is almost a given that the seller would omit this information if the card were used to mine cryptocurrencies. Do not venture to pay without first reviewing its operation. The first thing you should do is perform a hardware inspection to look for specific details.
If you notice discoloration or residue on the motherboard, it has been subjected to high temperatures for a long time. Oil near the chip means the thermal compound leaks, while a lack of thermal paste means it operates without proper cooling.
After revising essential t,o analyze the BIOS. Techpowerup has an up-to-date database that you can use to compare GPU BIOS with models on the market using GPU-Z. This software also helps you to confirm if it has been overclocked. The last step is to run a benchmark with FurMark to find out if the card works as expected (it doesn’t overheat) or with 3DMark to compare the performance with other results on the internet.
These steps are necessary, although if in the first inspection of the hardware you detect bent or loose components, corrosion on the board, or if the heatsink “dances,” or something that looks strange, do not risk it. A card that doesn’t have enough ports is a model for cryptocurrency mining, even if the vendor says otherwise.
It would be best never to buy a used GPU online based on product photos unless it comes with money-back protection. On pages like eBay or MercadoLibre, there is protection for the buyer. AliExpress allows you to start a dispute, although the seller may require you to send the product to China for a full refund.
With all this, is it worth the risk?
The short answer is no. Why take a chance on hardware that has operated for months or years non-stop in conditions for which it was not designed? While a second-hand GPU sold by a keen gamer can come with similar problems due to excessive use, the best thing to do right now is to avoid those deals that seem too good to be true.
Video card prices decrease as time passes and inventory evens out. It is likely that soon you will be able to order an RTX 3080 at the recommended price without hunting for it on multiple sites.
