Would you buy a used GPU?

[praeter]

Hello,

Wondering if saving $100 on an EVGA GTX 680 signature 2 would be worth taking the risk of buying used via Craigslist. If its a good deal I am considering buying it and banking until Haswell comes out. I'm running an old E8500/GTX 460 so don't think I would bother to put it in the current machine.

Any good or bad stories of buying used out there?

Thanks.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Can you get in touch with this person and ask them to prove that it'll run fine? Since 680s are mostly voltage-locked, I don't think there's much of a chance of it being dead, but asking for proof can't hurt too much.

 

[Zorander]

Why not wait until you are ready to assemble? I also used to purchase components earlier than a planned build but often either they would go down in price by then or my planned build has changed.

That said, I have had good success buying used PC components in the past, even with RAMs. I normally buy from sellers who sell a lot of used components (as opposed to the occasional seller).

 

[Sohaltang]

If its Craigslist ask them to demo it. I was more than happy to demo a couple cards sold on CL. If they wont demo it for you then stay away

 

[Sohaltang]

Just noticed its eVGA. They allow ownership transfer of the warranty. You should be good as long as its not physically damaged.

http://www.evga.com/Support/guestregister.asp

 

[Wall Street]

I have bought and sold used components in the past and have yet to have someone try to rip me off.

That being said, from best to worst places to buy used:
Forums>EBAY>Craigslist

Most buy/sell forums have rep lists, EBAY has feedback but Craigslist you are really flying blind.

 

[praeter]

Thanks for the quick replies. I will test the seller out and put up a build post in the next few days. Awesom forum.

 

[nitromullet]

Just make sure the serial number ends in one of the following suffixes:

Limited 3 Year Suffixes: -KR, -K1, -K2, -KB, -KA, -KF, -KM
Limited 5 Year Suffixes: -GR, -SR, -VR
Limited 10 Year Suffix: -XR

http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/

If it does, you are covered by EVGA for that number of years from the date of manufacture.

 

[wand3r3r]

Absolutely no worries about CL if you use a little basic caution (in general, not only for PC parts).

Just a few basics.

* See it in action.
* Ensure the right part is in the box (e.g. not a 660 and 680 box).
* If possible, see if you can get a copy of the receipt for warranty (even if unnecessary) it can help show goodwill or something.

If it's a 680 and EVGA / MSI / Asus it is tied to the serial number. You can even throw the serial number in EVGA's RMA checker thing iirc and verify the warranty.

* Check for physical damage! They can be extremely picky and have rejected RMAs for slight marks on the screws.

* Meet in a public place, or possibly bring a friend with. Use your judgement at the sellers house if it looks shady.

 

[Kenmitch]

Others advice seems reasonable about checking the gpu, warranty, etc.

It's craigslist....Most of the time when a person lists something they will inflate the price somewhat knowing that potential buyers will try to haggle out a deal. If it was me and I was interested in the card I'd figure out what I'd be willing to pay then offer less. Example I'd pay $350 buyer wants $400 I'd offer $300. It's just a matter of what the seller really wants to get for the card in the end....Unknown variable unless it's stated as Firm, I will not take less, etc.

 

[gammaray]

usually, you're best of buying it from a friend, or someone you know. Otherwise, i'd double check, ask for proof it's working, and buy it half or close to half price of original worth.

It's like a used car, would you buy it at 10-20% discount without seeing and trying it?

never.

 

[SpicyTime]

Like most have said, it's very important to have them demo it for you. Specifically, I feel at ease after they've done the following:

1) Run GPU-Z to confirm the proper GPU is being sold
2) Play a popular game (where you are familiar with the bench numbers) to see how it actually performs. A couple years ago, my friend was buying a used GTX260, wanting to play Starcraft 2. I went with him, fired up the game, put on high settings, used cheats to load up a 200/200 army, and gauged how fluid it was. Everything went as expected, and purchased the card for peanuts.

 

[praeter]

After reading all of this and thinking it over, I'm no longer thinking saving $100 is worth the uncertainty/hassle factor of driving an hour each way to test out a card.

Once I decide whether to wait for Haswell or not I'll put up a build question. For now the E8500/GTX 460 will have to keep slugging away.

Thank you all.

 

[wand3r3r]

Make an offer that would be worth the drive. That's the beauty of second hand, you can make an offer and they can say no. Or possibly yes.

 

[tential]

Like Kenmitch said, just because someone lists something at a price doesn't mean that's the price they're willing to sell at. It's bargaining. Make an offer, like wanderer said, if it works it works, if not they say no.

 

[Shakabutt]

No, maybe a cheap home cinema card but i would never buy a used top end card or even a mid range card for gaming.

 

[flexy]

I already bought plenty of used components, incl. my latest two boards and my current GTX 660 TI.

Preferably I buy from HW forums where I know the people who sell have already rep with many posts - not so much from ebay/craigslist-type sites although the 660 TI I got from an ebay sister site where people sell used stuff.

It comes down the the impression I have from a seller. I stay away from people where what they offer just sounds too good to be true or where they use stock images and copy/paste just vendor information in their sales pages. Looks shady to me.

Some sellers you can see they might be genuine, for example if people post gpuz shots (graphics cards) and report how the card runs in certain games, reporting temps etc. so you can assume these people really own those cards and are enthusiasts like yourself. Ebay itself I *try* to stay away from, most of the time for people ebay is the last resort to sell something if they cannot sell on forums or other places. Then again, I bought my wife a laptop last year which was a steal off ebay (open box).

Thinking about it, the majority of my HW is "used", router,laptop, graphic cards, boards, mouse, gaming keyboards etc.

 

[spaceman]

for years all i ran were used
still would

 

[steviaintheraw]

I'd buy a used EVGA

 

[Arkaign]

Agree with all of this, though 6xx prices might drop more as 7xx hits.

 

[jacktesterson]

Yes - I've only had one I bought on ebay that was dead on arrival (a 5870) - and I returned it and got my money back via a paypal dispute.


Think the seller was being honest that it worked when shipped - but it was shipped in a Shoe Box wrapped in very static plastic - so I assume that's what caused it to fail.

 

[toyota]

I would not touch any thing used or open box unless I know the person who used it. so many people do stupid things that I dont even want to worry about it.

 

[spaceman]

of the 30-40 open box cards i ordered
exactly 1 was bad

 

[Sohaltang]

After reading all of this and thinking it over, I'm no longer thinking saving $100 is worth the uncertainty/hassle factor of driving an hour each way to test out a card.

Once I decide whether to wait for Haswell or not I'll put up a build question. For now the E8500/GTX 460 will have to keep slugging away.

Thank you all.

2 hours of driving I would be out. That's not worth my time and 6 gallons of gas @4$.

 

[moonbogg]

I wouldn't do it, but many do without issue. I'd rather buy a new card that's in my price range.