Buying Used Graphics Cards in 2021 — Does it Make Sense?

Are used graphics cards a viable option now that there’s a global shortage of brand-new GPUs? Well, that’s a good albeit somewhat complex question. According to both Nvidia and AMD, the current situation regarding their RTX 3000 and RX 6000 series graphics cards won’t improve any time soon. This means that, if you’re looking to buy a, say, RTX 3060 Ti, you either won’t be able to find one, or you’ll have to pay an obscene premium on top of the regular MSRP. And the same goes for AMD’s offerings as well.

By this point, everyone knows that graphics cards have been in remarkably short supply over the last couple of months. There are multiple reasons as to why that’s the case. The first one, of course, is the pandemic and the many ways it has affected production and logistics. Secondly, next-gen consoles, laptops, processors, and even mobile phones (their SoCs, rather) all require somewhat similar manufacturing processes. And, well, companies like TSMC can only produce so much — especially given today’s pandemic-ridden climate.

The third reason, which no one could’ve predicted, is cryptocurrency mining. With the value of Bitcoin and Ethererum skyrocketing, it feels like everyone and their mother started mining. And, well, you can’t blame them. Miners all over the globe are buying out graphics cards like their lives depend on it. This, in turn, means you’d have to be pretty darn lucky to find a current-gen GPU at any price whatsoever. And let’s not even begin talking about the many scalpers who are making a pretty penny off of this whole situation.

So what are your options right now? Well, that’s a layered question which, by proxy, requires a layered answer. You can: (a) find a brand-new GPU and overpay it (should your wallet go deep enough); (b) buy a used GPU and wait for the market to stabilize, or (c) wait things out and not make any kind of investment.

We’re talking about three entirely different methods here. Which one you’ll end up going for will heavily depend on your patience and budget. Do you have enough money to spare and don’t mind paying a premium? Then sure, by all means, buy a brand-new graphics card (if you can even find one in stock). If, however, you’re a budget-conscious gamer, then you’ll have to find an alternative.

So, let’s talk used graphics cards. 

Used Graphics Cards | What Are Your Options?

First of all, one thing needs to be mentioned: used graphics cards are also selling for more than they’re worth these days — regardless of your region. This is because even old GPUs like a GTX 1060 or RX 580 can still mine far better than you’d expect.

If you already have a graphics card that’s even remotely good, then the wisest option would be to just wait things out. The market will stabilize. That is a fact, although, to be fair, no one can give out any concrete dates or predictions. Still, if we had to make a wild stab in the dark, we’d say that things will probably settle down in the next six or so months.

Find A Good Second-Hand Deal

If, on the other hand, you don’t have a good enough graphics card and are itching to upgrade, then try to find a good deal on the second-hand market. These GPUs won’t be nearly as strong as brand-new RTX 3000 or RX 6000 series graphics cards, but they’ll still get the job done until you can find a bit of that cutting-edge tech for a reasonable price. As for what you should look for, that’ll heavily depend on what you need a graphics card for. Is it purely gaming? Then something like an RX 570 or RX 480 would probably be your best bet. These GPUs are noticeably stronger than, say, a GTX 1050/1050 Ti but are only moderately more expensive. So you get a whole lot of bang for your buck, even if you have to pay a bit of a premium on top.

The thing is, they’re just not as good for mining as the aforementioned GTX 1060/RX 580. Some folks still use them, of course, but they’re just not the kind of GPU anyone who’s serious about mining will use these days.

Plus, these older models from AMD are still perfectly sufficient for 1080p gaming. Take a look for yourself:

Closing Remarks

The situation we now find ourselves in is quite disheartening, but it won’t last forever. So, in that sense, there’s definitely a reason for optimism. AMD and NVIDIA are announcing new GPUs by the hour it feels like, and sooner or later, the whole mining craze will subdue. So you just need to be patient and wait for a good opening to spend your hard-earned money!

In the meantime, try your best to find a good second-hand deal; these four-year-old graphics cards still pack a punch, in spite of their age!