Buy new or used graphics cards

[jpk]

My current rig had 2 EVGA GTX 260 SC'ed in sli. It seems one of the cards which I bought new a few years ago has died. Some things I'm considering. First sell my working GTX 260. I'd get maybe $75.00 for it and then buy a new GC. Or, buy a second 260 SC'ed off ebay to keep the setup that I have. That would be cheaper than a new card in the performance range that I'm looking at. Third, buy two 260's used off ebay and 3 way sli. Still cheaper than a new card.

A couple of months back I was thinking of getting a new card. The consensus here seemed to be to stay with what I had until the newer cards come out in a few months hoping for a drop in current card prices. Some also said since I was sli, the performance gains of a new card in the $250.00 range would not be that great over what I had. Would opting for a 3 way sli offer any performance advantage over a newer card? Any opinions?

 

[Lepton87]

You would need at least 6950/560Ti just to have similar performance you had, but I still think it's worth it if you can sell your current card for 75$. 3-way SLI would really push your PSU, and I don't think it's worth it with outdated hardware.

 

[dajeepster]

If you're going to buy AMD 57xx or higher... BUY NEW...

 

[nanaki333]

If you're going to buy AMD 57xx or higher... BUY NEW...

yeah... don't even bother trying to get a 58xx card. there's a good chance they've been run ragged and on their last leg with expired/nontransferable warranty.

 

[jpk]

Then a new card it may be. While I'm not exactly a Nvidia fan boy I do seem to favor the GTX series cards over the Radeons, especially the EVGA cards. Is there any advantage of the 560Ti vs a 6950 or should I consider a Radeon? I haven't been imersing myself deeply into the performance of the various cards that are available.

What card in the $250-$300 range, GF or Rad, would deliver the best performance?

Currently looking at the MSI N560 GTX Ti Twin Frozr w/2gb DDR5. Also looking at the EVGA GTX 480 2win. It might be worth it to spend a few more bucks.

 

[Lepton87]

Radeon 6950 is a better card overall, but 560ti has it's advantages (physX, CUDA)



See those performance charts

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/grafikkarten/2011/test-amd-radeon-hd-7970/9/


Radeon 6950 is basically in between 560ti and 570, if you want nV equivalent you should consider 560ti 448, which is a bit better than 6950.

 

[mosox]

You can get a stopgap card like the HD 6870 -very good bang for the buck- and in a few months when the new 28nm series from both manufacturers are out, sell it and get a new one. The 6870 will cost you some $150 AR, can run any game on ultra or high and you will get to use it for a few months and sell it for $100+. Then you will buy a new 28nm card that will last you for 2-3 years.

 

[Fallengod]

Now is the worst time to buy a new video card with the new 7 series coming out. Most likely those cards will force prices to drop on older models. There is nothing wrong with buying used, id just make sure it was a brand with either a transferable warranty(XFX), or a company that goes by serial number.

 

[nanaki333]

Radeon 6950 is a better card overall, but 560ti has it's advantages (physX, CUDA)



See those performance charts

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/grafikkarten/2011/test-amd-radeon-hd-7970/9/


Radeon 6950 is basically in between 560ti and 570, if you want nV equivalent you should consider 560ti 448, which is a bit better than 6950.

i don't think i would list CUDA as an advantage now that opencl has matured on radeon cards.

 

[Wizlem]

If you can get by with the single 260 I'd stick with that until the new 28nm stuff in your price range is out.

 

[IAteYourMother]

With the ridiculous prices people try to sell their old video cards at, I'd buy new.

 

[tweakboy]

Always buy new, not worth taking a chance.. gl

 

[dakU7]

Always buy new, not worth taking a chance.. gl

What chance?

If you're buying used, stick to MSI / Asus. They have a serial-based warranty, so if any problems occur with the card, they're not going to ask you for an invoice.

 

[nanaki333]

What chance?

If you're buying used, stick to MSI / Asus. They have a serial-based warranty, so if any problems occur with the card, they're not going to ask you for an invoice.

neither of which have lifetime warranty.

 

[pontifex]

never understood why people buy used electronics from unknown people. you have no way of knowing what they did to it or if it even works and they you're fucked if it doesn't because they'll say it worked when they shipped it.

 

[Fallengod]

never understood why people buy used electronics from unknown people. you have no way of knowing what they did to it or if it even works and they you're fucked if it doesn't because they'll say it worked when they shipped it.

Umm, thats not really how it works. People are obligated to guarantee a working product. This is part of the process when you are looking at peoples heatware etc and why you only buy from reputable people. Buy items with verified warranty then you are double protected, etc.

Ive bought and sold used goods over the internet for 8 years or more and never have problems. One time way back when a video card was doa and luckily the manufacturer had warranty and replaced it easy. Thats only thing that ever happened.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

never understood why people buy used electronics from unknown people. you have no way of knowing what they did to it or if it even works and they you're fucked if it doesn't because they'll say it worked when they shipped it.

I'll second what fallengod said. Also I'd even bet you're much more likely to receive a Doa from newegg than some of the high feedback traders here on this forum.

 

[Grooveriding]

One of my 480s was bought 2nd hand, had no issues, was the first time I bought something used.

OP as far as what you are planning, I'd strongly advise against getting two more 260s and doing Tri-SLI. It's not worth the headaches and power/heat/noise of that kind of setup when you can get single card just as fast/faster or a couple mid range cards that are faster.

Triple cards is a mess of its own and I would only recommend it if you are doing it with 3 of the best cards on the market because you need more power. Whenever there is a single card option available that can give you the performance of multiple cards, take the single card. If you want an affordable setup and good performance, get a couple used 460s or 6850s. Forget the triple sli 260 idea, not a good move.

 

[dakU7]

neither of which have lifetime warranty.

Read what I wrote, I never said they did.

 

[Leyawiin]

A GTX 560 Ti would be a nice compliment to your system and a big increase in performance over a single GTX 260. If you can sell you current card for around what your thinking you could pick something like this up for a very good net price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162074

 

[jpk]

OK....I've been looking at the EVGA GTX560ti 448 Classified w/1.2gb's DDR5. Looks like it's a performer and a deal from Newegg at $289.99 w/ free shipping. Almost 570 speed and even passing it in some instances. Sell the 260SC and maybe knock a benjie off the total cost. Any thoughts on this?

 

[jpk]

never understood why people buy used electronics from unknown people. you have no way of knowing what they did to it or if it even works and they you're fucked if it doesn't because they'll say it worked when they shipped it.

I bought my first GTX 260SC new about three years ago. I added the second for sli about a year after. I bought it used from a local guy so I could hunt him down if anything was amiss with it. A good investment for a couple years of pretty speedy gaming as the second card was half the price of the card I bought new.

 

[jpk]

Went ahead and bought the 560ti 448 Classified from Newegg for $289.99 and got a free copy of Arkham City with it. Don't know anything about the game but if I don't like it I can sell it with my 260SC. Hope to see it in a few days.

 

[MrTeal]

I was thinking the same thing as you jpk, but I found that the asking price for used cards was usually somewhere between the new price of the card and the new price of the card after rebate. To get a really good deal on a new card usually means dealing with a decent sized rebate and getting one on sale, but if you can wait it might be better to buy new, especially if you do it somewhere where you don't have to pay to ship it back if it's defective. If you can get a good deal you can often find new cheaper than buying one used, even before rebates. I got my 6870 on the Canadian equivalent of BF for $125 taxes and shipping in, before a $35 MIR. I don't think there's much chance I could have picked up a $90 6870 even used.

That being said, if you're dealing with a reputable trader, you probably aren't any more likely to get a DOA card than if you buy one right off the shelf. You're not guaranteed a working card even if you do buy new.

 

[exar333]

With the ridiculous prices people try to sell their old video cards at, I'd buy new.

Negotiate.