News Below MSRP and Only Getting Cheaper: The GPU Deluge Begins

[-Fran-]

The gacha game of buying used GPUs in eBay... I don't know... Specially when the cards are abused, having no warranty may end up costing more than a card with similar performance, but new. While re-pasting and doing the basic on them is relatively cheap, if something fails, changing that component goes up in price by a lot. Maybe buildzoid can be helpful there, lol.

Anyway, good to see prices falling. Even if next gen can potentially blow the socks out of this gen, it doesn't mean this gen will be rendered useless, otherwise we wouldn't still be praising Pascal cards to this day. If you find a card at the performance level you need for cheap-ish, go for it IMO. Just keep in mind its* "value" will be washed away in a few months like with most things in tech.

Regards.

 

[Tac 25]

in reply to the OP.

that's good news. Glad I delayed buying an RTX 2060.

would be using a GT 1030 with my i5-10600K pc for a little longer then. Maybe prices would drop even more.

all i know is there is 0% chance i will ever buy nor advise anyone else to buy a used gpu. i don't care how cheap they get, it will never be worth it to me.

same, I would only buy brand new.

gambling on buying cheap / used cards online with no warranty is throwing precious money away.

and I never buy gpu's online anyway. I only buy from physical store at the mall, where warranty is assured.

 

[Exploding PSU]

That white GPU on the thumbnail looks absolutely cute.
Any info on which model is that? I might pick it up if the price is good.

 

[JarredWaltonGPU]

All I thought after reading the article was, this is probably written by someone who wants to lay off dozens of GPUs they bought for mining and now advising others to buy those used cards for less than MSRP .... yay!

WTF? Seriously, that's what you got out of this? I even linked to an article I wrote suggesting you probably shouldn't buy used graphics cards, because they've been used hard for a couple of years. But whatever. The point is GPU prices are coming down, and I suspect we'll have most Ampere and RDNA 2 cards selling for less than their original MSRPs in the near future. That's for -new- cards, not used cards. Used cards are already well below MSRP in most cases if you're willing to deal with eBay.

 

[digitalgriffin]

Improved supply, the collapse of cryptocurrency values, and imminent next-gen GPU launches means it's a good time to upgrade your graphics card.

Below MSRP and Only Getting Cheaper: The GPU Deluge Begins : Read more

The 6900XT and 3080Ti should be no less than a premium 4K graphics card. But when done side by side, the 3080Ti comes out on top in terms of 4K and RT. Is it worth the price difference? Doubtful. I would suggest the 6900XT is really the best 1440p graphics card you can buy for the money IF RT is not important to you. But that's still a big pill to swallow for 1440p.

The wise decision if you are looking for top tier, is to wait for next gen. If the prices are unpalatable, you can still pick up last gen premium for considerably lower amount. Last gen cards price will based on how they perform against the new gen. And the new gen looks phenomenal. I doubt the $:frame ratio will change much for rasterization. But Ray Tracing should be reasonably viable on both platforms with next gen. So that will put last gen tech as a disadvantage, forcing lower pricing. To me, waiting 3-4 months to save a $100,$200. maybe $300 is a no brainer. That's how I picked up a RX580 8 Gig for $140 new.

 

[digitalgriffin]

Oh, I think there is absolutely a point at which I would consider a used GPU, even if I knew that it was mined with over and above figuring that the seller is lying to say it wasn't. The giant if in that aspect is price. If the market floods the way it's set up to (probably) do, I think we are going to be sub half price and more on some very attractive performers.

So lets say you buy a 3090 for $600 (1/2 MSRP) and it dies a year later. (I have seen many post of dead graphics cards that they bought used off eBay during the last mining Dump) Did you really make out? A good graphics card should last you 5 years if you don't abuse it. My 7970 lasted me 7 years and it was overclocked to 1.1GHz. That is <$75/year compared to your $600/year.

 

[punkncat]

So lets say you buy a 3090 for $600 (1/2 MSRP) and it dies a year later. (I have seen many post of dead graphics cards that they bought used off eBay during the last mining Dump) Did you really make out? A good graphics card should last you 5 years if you don't abuse it. My 7970 lasted me 7 years and it was overclocked to 1.1GHz. That is <$75/year compared to your $600/year.

It would absolutely stink if that happened. But, even at that purchased new electronics can fail as well. I have purchased several "refurbished" cards over the years and haven't had any of them fail. I currently have two 1080, one of which is an EVGA refurb and it performs just as well as the new MSI one I purchased. The only card failure that I can think of off the top of my head was due to a mistake I made in reference to a "printed" backplate. I had a half height 750ti bracket and wanted to use it in a full height machine for the media/TV spot. I didn't consider the thickness of the printed part and as a result the card wasn't properly making contact with the PCI slot. Beyond that, haven't had any issues.

Buying used is always a gamble though. You never know if you are getting the true story about usage. It is a bit of a gamble, but if it pays off you are well ahead.

 

[Eximo]

That white GPU on the thumbnail looks absolutely cute.
Any info on which model is that? I might pick it up if the price is good.

I think that is a white ASUS Dual. Should be available as a GTX1060 or GTX1070.

 

[Pollopesca]

That white GPU on the thumbnail looks absolutely cute.
Any info on which model is that? I might pick it up if the price is good.

Asus GTX 1070-08G. Was a solid little pascal card, but fans a bit on the loud side.

 

[Co BIY]

I have purchased several "refurbished" cards over the years and haven't had any of them fail. I currently have two 1080, one of which is an EVGA refurb and it performs just as well as the new MSI one I purchased.

I would consider a "factory refurb" as good as new and very different from buying a used card online from a private party. Usually factory refurbs are just opened box returns with at most some superficial damage. They get a function test run on them and an inspection.

 

[g-unit1111]

Yes! It's about damn time. I've been using my 1080 in one machine for so long because I haven't been able to upgrade. Now I'm planning on getting one ASAP.

 

[Zerk2012]

I get used cards for myself ever year or so.

These are free from my brother that has to have the latest cards. Next card will be a 6900xt.

He did charge me 100 bucks for his 2080 because he needed me to install a custom loop in his new PC so I charged him 100 bucks.

 

[bigdragon]

This is great news! Finally I can acquire a new GPU at MSRP or below. This is great because I've been beating my current GPU senseless with Blender and UE work. More performance would help improve render times and general editor responsiveness! I will buy new or used, depending on the manufacturer and warranty.

Wait! Where did my funding for a new GPU go? Oh...apparently I spent it on groceries and wildly overpriced hotel reservations for an annual convention that had been cancelled the past 2 years due to covid revenge travel. Oh well. Less money available for you, Nvidia. Prices need to come down more.

 

[hannibal]

Well GPU still are above MSRP and next gen is around the corner... Not jumpin up and down yet.
Old gen at MSRP when next gen is released?

 

[Eximo]

Well GPU still are above MSRP and next gen is around the corner... Not jumpin up and down yet.
Old gen at MSRP when next gen is released?

Not likely. Rumors suggest they are starting at the top and working their way down a little more slowly this time. Going to be mid next year when the mid-range has new options available.

AMD might pull one over and launch their line-up simultaneously. What I would do in the face of Nvidia's one a month releases. But the rumors could be wrong and all the 102 class cards could launch at the same time.

 

[bigdragon]

Not likely. Rumors suggest they are starting at the top and working their way down a little more slowly this time. Going to be mid next year when the mid-range has new options available.

I don't think so. During the beginning of the GPU supply crisis we were told that Nvidia and AMD book their fab capacity years in advance. Higher production is likely baked in at this point. The rapid collapse of crypto and surging inflation destroyed demand far faster than expected. Only so much inventory can be held up by the OEMs and AIBs.

The current generation and new generation will probably sell side by side much longer than normal. Current gen prices will need to keep falling to get those new generation units to move too. I would expect the mid-tier cards to show up on time later this year, about 2-years after the debut of the current mid-tier cards.

 

[Math Geek]

I am confident you would jump on a 3090 for $10.

yah who wouldn't. but i don't see a scenario where this would happen, unless your uncle vinny happens to find one " that fell off the back of a truck, so quit asking questions"

 

[ohio_buckeye]

As far as folks saying they wouldn’t buy used, I’ve bought and resold a few different cards over the years using eBay. The main thing is read the description and check the seller feedback. What is funny the one card I’ve had issues with in recent memory was a 6600xt I bought around launch and had to exchange it due to it crashing the system all the time. I got a working one but ended up selling during the mining.

All that said I actually just purchased a 6700xt from eBay for $430 which is currently in route. However the seller offers returns, as well I believe eBay has their money back guarantee which I think is if you have issues within 30 days or so (I’d have to look up the terms), you can file a case and say for example that your item wasn’t as described. But I’d advise when you get the card to put it through it’s paces.

In my most recent purchase, the seller has 99.6% positive feedback across a few thousand ratings. When I checked the description they described the card as manufacturer refurbished (msi mech 6700xt). Upon reading the description they stated that the card was a factory replacement from the manufacturer and not a repaired card. So I suspect that if they were mining that they had one replaced under warranty that possibly wasn’t used.

Anyway I’ve bought and sold gpus quite a bit, the big thing is read the description, look at feedback, be cautious, then benchmark or prove the card when you first get it. I don’t know about anyone else but my experience has been in the past when you put a system together if you put a pc together, usually within the first 30 days at some point is when parts will act up if they are going to. Not to say you won’t have trouble, but check EVERYTHING when buying and try to keep it cool with plenty of airflow in your system and it will usually be fine. But if aren’t sure about a certain card then find a card you are comfortable with before buying.

 

[magbarn]

So can everyone now admit that crypto was the main driver on why we’ve had 2 years of gpu hell? If crypto weren’t a thing, the shortage would’ve been 1 year max and we would’ve never seen 3090’s going for $3000.

 

[JarredWaltonGPU]

So can everyone now admit that crypto was the main driver on why we’ve had 2 years of gpu hell? If crypto weren’t a thing, the shortage would’ve been 1 year max and we would’ve never seen 3090’s going for $3000.

Oh, I don't think anyone other than Nvidia and AMD were trying to pretend crypto-mining wasn't the primary factory in insane GPU prices. Scalping at the RTX 30-series launch drove prices on the RTX 3080 up to maybe $1000-$1200, but that would have faded away much more quickly. It was only when crypto suddenly went haywire in late 2020 that the GPU shortages became truly catastrophic, and miners were going out and buying every GPU possible, often at triple the MSRP.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Another thing to note, just because crypto crashed doesn't mean scalping will go away. I remember needing to wait a few months to get a GTX 1080 because it kept selling out and being resold for like +$100-$150.

 

[JarredWaltonGPU]

Another thing to note, just because crypto crashed doesn't mean scalping will go away. I remember needing to wait a few months to get a GTX 1080 because it kept selling out and being resold for like +$100-$150.

True, and I think scalping will definitely hit the RTX 40-series and RX 7000-series at launch. I don't think any scalpers are brave enough to try buying up all the RTX 30-series and RX 6000-series cards these days, though. Especially since eBay takes 14% of the margins. If you could buy an RTX 3080 for $700, you'd need to scalp it for at least $800 just to break even. When you can buy RTX 3080 starting at $770 without going through eBay, you'd be an idiot to pay more for potentially less in terms of warranty and support.

 

[Math Geek]

Another thing to note, just because crypto crashed doesn't mean scalping will go away. I remember needing to wait a few months to get a GTX 1080 because it kept selling out and being resold for like +$100-$150.

every major release has had shortages right at launch. that's normal. it's always been hard to get that new/latest/greatest the first couple months after launch. but it has never been like it has been the last few years. some always popped up for a premium on ebay if you were too weak to wait for the next resupply.

people always forget this and complain over and over at launch they can't get one RIGHT NOW!!! but couple months in and everyone can get one easily. that part of the whining is just not wanting to wait for their turn to buy one.

however, triple the cost and bots buying up everything as fast as it is posted and so on and so on is new. for sure it was crypto as the main catalyst. but normal gamers willing to pay the crazy high prices did not help either.

 

[Exploding PSU]

I think that is a white ASUS Dual. Should be available as a GTX1060 or GTX1070.

Asus GTX 1070-08G. Was a solid little pascal card, but fans a bit on the loud side.

Ah a Pascal card? Well, maybe I could get one for my backup PC upstairs. Would complement the white build really well.

I don't mind the loudness though, as I'm sure nothing is louder than my Yeston 6800XT. When my PC still had this habit of turning on at midnight by itself I'd think someone just pulled up on my driveway, that's how loud this 6800XT is.

 

[shady28]

So clearly we've seen part of this before, but since you mention markets I'm reminded of a stock trader rule called the rule of alternation. Basically, this time is never like last time, it might be like the time before that or the time before that, but it's never like last time. This is because the majority of people expect things to happen like last time, therefore, it cannot happen that way.

I think what may be missing right now, is an after-effect of something called pull-forward in demand. This happens normally sometimes even without a pandemic. What it basically means is, some event or circumstance pulled forward demand for a particular product that would have normally been in the future, into the present.

So for example, if 20% of the people who bought a GPU in 2020 and 2021 would not have bought a GPU until say 2023 or 2024 if the pandemic did not happen, then that future demand probably isn't going to be there in 2023 / 2024.

IMO this is pretty much observed fact. I know several people who were sitting on older hardware, like Nvidia 6XX to 9XX GPUs on old Haswell or Skylake 1 systems, that were reasonably happy until Covid. With WFH and lockdowns, they upgraded. For that matter, when I think about it, that's exactly what I did.

I think the next 24 months are going to be really telling. If I'm right the normal upgrade cycle and PC demand in general that would have naturally happened over the next 2-3 years, for a huge chunk of people, was pulled forward into 2020 and 2021.

That would mean a big drop off in demand in GPU, client, and potentially mobile compute, starting about now.