Should I buy a used Graphics card?

NoRainNoRainbow · 05-10-2011, 05:32 PM

I was browsing through the classifieds when I noticed that someone was selling a GTX 460 768mb for $70, the card regularly retails for $140. Supposedly it comes with all the necesary accesories and everything (of course, I wont buy if it doesn't).

I'm in the middle of my build so I can't pop it in my computer to test it out. So what should I do?

This may be a stupid question, but:
Would a regular PC store or maybe the Geek Squad guys in Best Buy be able to let me test it to see if it works?

I'd really apreciate a response, I don't want to miss out on the price.

imeem · 05-10-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoRainNoRainbow

Would a regular PC store or maybe the Geek Squad guys in Best Buy be able to let me test it to see if it works?

very likely no Best Buy, regular pc store maybe. How old is that particular GTX 460? does it have transferable warranty?

NoRainNoRainbow · 05-10-2011, 05:45 PM

According to the seller, he bought it a few months ago and the warranty is still good. If I remember correctly, the card itself came out almost a year ago.

Here's the link to the newegg page if you're interested:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814162058

Akuthia · 05-10-2011, 05:47 PM

I would insist on seeing the receipt first and formost, before you even consider it.

Xebec · 05-10-2011, 06:04 PM

Avoid it unless your sure it's still under warranty.

NoRainNoRainbow · 05-10-2011, 06:07 PM

How can I find out?

imeem · 05-10-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoRainNoRainbow

How can I find out?

ask the seller for the original receipt

dosbox · 05-10-2011, 06:18 PM

Avoid unless you're OK risking losing the $70. You won't be able to tell just by looking at the card whether it has been overclocked a little too far.

And the likes of Best Buy aren't interested in helping you test out something you bought from somewhere else - unless they can convince you to buy a replacement from them. Their labour rate would also be as much as you'd save on the card.

imeem · 05-10-2011, 06:21 PM

btw if the warranty is still valid, make sure Galaxy doesn't found out that you are not the original purchaser because the warranty is not transferable.

(but seriously, how does a company know if you are not the original purchaser and what if u have the original receipt?)

05-10-2011, 06:37 PM

Avoid buying used graphics cards. A few months back I bought an 8800 GTX just for the sake of it being better than my current graphics card, which is aimed at media boxes. Anyway, what I got was a bad card held together by glue and caked up thermal compound. Needless to say it was sent back.

NoRainNoRainbow · 05-10-2011, 06:42 PM

I've called around my town's computer stores and they say they'll allow me to do a hardware diagnostics test on it for $20 to $49, that's absolutely insane!

So, two last questions:
If I have the receipt, will I be able to get a replacement from Galaxy if it turns out the card didn't work? (with just the receipt)
AND
What are the chances of the card not working, considering the price point?

Quote:

Originally Posted by eriktherandom

Avoid buying used graphics cards. A few months back I bought an 8800 GTX just for the sake of it being better than my current graphics card, which is aimed at media boxes. Anyway, what I got was a bad card held together by glue and caked up thermal compound. Needless to say it was sent back.

I'm going to meet the guy somewhere, so I'll be able to inspect it for those sorts of things.

DOE_JOHN88 · 05-10-2011, 07:02 PM

I would be hesitant about buying used gpu's, if you do buy it make sure you have the seller give you the receipt and make sure it is still under warranty

dosbox · 05-10-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoRainNoRainbow

I've called around my town's computer stores and they say they'll allow me to do a hardware diagnostics test on it for $20 to $49, that's absolutely insane!

Do you work for free?

Quote:

What are the chances of the card not working, considering the price point?

There's more chance of the card displaying artifacts under load due to abuse.

NoRainNoRainbow · 05-10-2011, 07:36 PM

I'd say $5 to $10 is reasonable considering all they have to do is put the card in the PCI-E slot and boot up the system, then maybe run a quick benchmark test or something. That will take what? 5 minutes?

I'll just have to take it to a friend's house to check if it works.

lazy6pyro · 05-10-2011, 07:38 PM

I've bought a number of used GPUs no problem. My only condition is that I need to see it working...in either my system or theirs. I rarely buy anything second-hand electronic unless I see it working (Ebay is an exception because I'm able to ship it back or only buy from sellers that offer warranties), which is tough to do sometimes.

Actually, through the classifieds, I've gotten to know some of the upgrade-aholics in my area. If you're willing to stay with second-hand stuff, those guys are cash because they're going to upgrade anyway, so you can get a pretty steady supply of cheap components.

05-10-2011, 05:32 PM	#1
NoRainNoRainbow Join Date: Jan 2011 Reputation: 0 Posts: 30	Should I buy a used Graphics card? I was browsing through the classifieds when I noticed that someone was selling a GTX 460 768mb for $70, the card regularly retails for $140. Supposedly it comes with all the necesary accesories and everything (of course, I wont buy if it doesn't). I'm in the middle of my build so I can't pop it in my computer to test it out. So what should I do? This may be a stupid question, but: Would a regular PC store or maybe the Geek Squad guys in Best Buy be able to let me test it to see if it works? I'd really apreciate a response, I don't want to miss out on the price.

05-10-2011, 07:38 PM	#15
lazy6pyro Join Date: Jan 2011 Reputation: 894 Posts: 1,316	I've bought a number of used GPUs no problem. My only condition is that I need to see it working...in either my system or theirs. I rarely buy anything second-hand electronic unless I see it working (Ebay is an exception because I'm able to ship it back or only buy from sellers that offer warranties), which is tough to do sometimes. Actually, through the classifieds, I've gotten to know some of the upgrade-aholics in my area. If you're willing to stay with second-hand stuff, those guys are cash because they're going to upgrade anyway, so you can get a pretty steady supply of cheap components. Last edited by lazy6pyro: 05-10-2011 at 07:42 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-10-2011, 05:45 PM	#3
NoRainNoRainbow Join Date: Jan 2011 Reputation: 0 Posts: 30	According to the seller, he bought it a few months ago and the warranty is still good. If I remember correctly, the card itself came out almost a year ago. Here's the link to the newegg page if you're interested: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814162058

05-10-2011, 05:47 PM	#4
Akuthia Join Date: Mar 2011 Reputation: 32 Posts: 439	I would insist on seeing the receipt first and formost, before you even consider it.

05-10-2011, 06:04 PM	#5
Xebec Join Date: Jan 2011 Reputation: 387 Posts: 1,355	Avoid it unless your sure it's still under warranty.

05-10-2011, 06:07 PM	#6
NoRainNoRainbow Join Date: Jan 2011 Reputation: 0 Posts: 30	How can I find out?

05-10-2011, 06:18 PM	#8
dosbox Join Date: Mar 2005 Reputation: 2309 Posts: 8,460	Avoid unless you're OK risking losing the $70. You won't be able to tell just by looking at the card whether it has been overclocked a little too far. And the likes of Best Buy aren't interested in helping you test out something you bought from somewhere else - unless they can convince you to buy a replacement from them. Their labour rate would also be as much as you'd save on the card.

05-10-2011, 06:21 PM	#9
imeem Join Date: Aug 2008 Reputation: 779 Posts: 2,768	btw if the warranty is still valid, make sure Galaxy doesn't found out that you are not the original purchaser because the warranty is not transferable. (but seriously, how does a company know if you are not the original purchaser and what if u have the original receipt?)

05-10-2011, 06:37 PM	#10
eriktherandom Guest Posts: n/a	Avoid buying used graphics cards. A few months back I bought an 8800 GTX just for the sake of it being better than my current graphics card, which is aimed at media boxes. Anyway, what I got was a bad card held together by glue and caked up thermal compound. Needless to say it was sent back.

05-10-2011, 07:02 PM	#12
DOE_JOHN88 Join Date: Mar 2010 Reputation: 132 Posts: 861	I would be hesitant about buying used gpu's, if you do buy it make sure you have the seller give you the receipt and make sure it is still under warranty

05-10-2011, 07:36 PM	#14
NoRainNoRainbow Join Date: Jan 2011 Reputation: 0 Posts: 30	I'd say $5 to $10 is reasonable considering all they have to do is put the card in the PCI-E slot and boot up the system, then maybe run a quick benchmark test or something. That will take what? 5 minutes? I'll just have to take it to a friend's house to check if it works.