I currently have an i9-10900, 32GB of DDR4 memory, and a GTX 1660. I mainly play at 1080p and have been considering a GPU upgrade. I found an EVGA RTX 3070 Ti XC3 Ultra listed as Amazon Renewed in excellent condition for $370, while newer RTX 4070 Super cards are outside my budget. My CPU may limit performance somewhat at 1080p, but would this still be a significant upgrade, and what risks come with buying a refurbished card at this price?
4 Answers
It should work well, but “renewed” does not necessarily mean the card was comprehensively tested or rebuilt. Check the return policy and warranty carefully, and test temperatures, fan behavior, stability, and performance as soon as it arrives. A used card from a reputable local seller could offer better value, but it also comes with its own risks.
I would be cautious at that price. Look at used RTX 3070 Ti and RTX 3080 listings before buying, since both may be available below $370. Make sure the listing shows the actual model, includes a clear return option, and is not a generic product page with an uncertain seller or unknown card condition.
As an upgrade from the GTX 1660, the 3070 Ti is absolutely worthwhile for 1080p gaming. You may be CPU-limited in esports titles or when chasing very high refresh rates, but in demanding games the GPU upgrade should be obvious. Just remember that the 3070 Ti has relatively high power consumption, so your power supply and case airflow should be adequate.
The 3070 Ti would be a major performance jump over a GTX 1660, even if your i9-10900 limits the maximum frame rate in some 1080p games. The bigger concern is the price, not performance. Around $370 seems high when used RTX 3080 cards can sometimes be found for less, depending on your local market.
The listing I found specifically says the seller is Amazon Renewed, not just an unrelated third-party listing.