I'm in a bit of a bind because my GTX 1660 Super just gave out after six years of service, and I need to get a new graphics card. I'm thinking about a used RTX 3070 for around $211.5, but it's been used for four years. Given its age, I'm worried it might fail after just a year or two. Newer GPUs in the 40 or 50 series are out of my budget, so I'm hoping to get some advice on whether I should go for the used card or save a bit more for something new.
5 Answers
That price for the used 3070 sounds fair. I would definitely want to test it in person, though. Check for good temps and listen for any loud fan noise. If it benchmarks well, old age shouldn't be a massive issue.
If that 3070 was well cared for, you should be fine. My old AMD cards from 2013 are still running happily! Look around—you might even find a 3080 for just a bit more than what you were planning.
It's worth considering! Used GPUs definitely carry some risk, but at that price, if it goes out, it’s just $200. Keep in mind, new cards lose value quickly, so you’re kind of balancing the upfront cost with potential depreciation.
Just a thought: is your budget really stuck around $200, or could you stretch it a bit to $300? You might find a 3070 Ti or even a 3080. Prices can sometimes come down if you negotiate a bit!
$230 is my max, but I don't want to go over that since it's my parents' money.
If you're comfortable with handling some maintenance, I say go for the used GPU. Replace the thermal paste and pads, especially if you can find good products like PTM7950. I've opened every used GPU I've ever owned to refresh them. You'd be surprised how much better they perform with some TLC!
The seller seems reliable, so I feel a bit more assured about the purchase.