Buying a used graphics card?

zephyrrct

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Jul 19, 2015
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So my GTX 660 just failed, and I'm looking for an upgrade. My budget is $250>. I can buy a GTX 770 for about $230, or I can buy a used GTX 780 (maybe even a Ti) for about $250. I'd like to hear from someone who has bought a used graphics card, and suggestions for other cards would also be nice (I don't have the most up-to-date information on today's best cards..).
 
Solution
1) you'll regret getting a kepler gpu, nvidia apparently has dropped all support for them, with r9-280x/hd 7970 cards coming within spitting distance of the performance of the gtx780 (in some games trumping it); furthermore 2gb vram just won't do for modern games in 1080p and ultra settings.

2) if you buy a used gpu assume it's in the same condition as your GTX660 1 month ago. because that's the point people realize thier gpu is dying, it's time to get a new one, and OH YEAH, it still works well enough i can Sell it! in short, if you're expecting it to last more then a couple of months your expectations are way too high.

3) it sucks to be without a gpu i know, but i would almost suck it up till i had 100 more and get a brand new gtx...
1) you'll regret getting a kepler gpu, nvidia apparently has dropped all support for them, with r9-280x/hd 7970 cards coming within spitting distance of the performance of the gtx780 (in some games trumping it); furthermore 2gb vram just won't do for modern games in 1080p and ultra settings.

2) if you buy a used gpu assume it's in the same condition as your GTX660 1 month ago. because that's the point people realize thier gpu is dying, it's time to get a new one, and OH YEAH, it still works well enough i can Sell it! in short, if you're expecting it to last more then a couple of months your expectations are way too high.

3) it sucks to be without a gpu i know, but i would almost suck it up till i had 100 more and get a brand new gtx 970.

4) if you can't wait your best bet at that price is probably an r9-280x; amd is still supporting it graphic driver wise.
 
Solution


You could afford a 280x new now, but I agree that you should wait and buy an r9 390 or gtx 970. (though the 390 performs better)

Buying used will suck unless you can meet with the seller in person and can get your money back if they tried to screw you over. IE a friend.
 
I don't really game that much. Just very basic games like Cities Skylines (which is mostly cpu-based anyway), Civ 5, and BeamNG. My 660 handles those on high settings without much problem, so I don't really need the most powerful card.
 


Ok. I would just get an r9 270x or 280x then.
 


Thats true. If your psu is not rated at 550 watts or higher, then get the 960. Otherwise, the 280x is a lot better.

If you have a 500w to 550w PSU, an r9 280, 285 would make sense.

You could also run the r9 270x with a 450 watt PSU or above, but it is slightly worse than the 960.

If you do get the 960, make sure that your PSU is rated at 300w or above.
If you have a 300w or above PSU, get a 750ti, or wait for the 950ti.
 
Thanks for the help from both of you, i'd give you both Best Answer if I could. I think I'll probably get the 280x, seeing as I've had a bad experience with this 660 and some other old Nvidia cards. I have an RM550 power supply so I should be able to handle it.