I'm on a tight budget (maximum of $750) and looking to build a PC capable of playing games like Spider-Man and Overwatch, with the possibility of Ghost of Tsushima if I'm lucky. There's an offer for an RX 6800XT at $160, but the seller mentioned it experiences crashes and needs to be underclocked slightly. Is this a smart investment or a risky move?
5 Answers
Buying that 6800XT for $160 sounds risky, especially since it's crashing. It might be overheating and need some repasting and re-padding, which could be a sign of deeper issues, so definitely proceed with caution. It could genuinely be a steal if that's all it needs, but if there are more significant problems, you're looking at a bad deal. Just be careful about that!
Exactly! If it runs at all, there might be a way to make it work, but it's still a gamble. I'd weigh the risks carefully!
$160 sounds awesome if it were working without issues. However, since it's not, it could turn out to be a gamble. It might need some minor fixes or could have deeper issues. Definitely something to think about before buying!
The seller assured me it works fine when underclocked, so I think it’s a manageable risk.
Still, you never know if there's a more significant fault. Just keep that in mind!
I've been using a 6800XT, and it still holds up well for 1440p gaming in 2025. If you're not streaming or doing ray tracing, it can still perform well, especially at that price point. Just ensure you can handle issues that may come up, like cooling problems.
If it was working perfectly, then yeah, $160 would be a steal. But since it’s not functioning at full capacity, I see it more as a gamble. It could just be a simple thermal paste issue, but there could also be other hidden problems, so be careful!
Honestly, for just a bit more money, like $100 over your budget, you might find a decent bundle at MicroCenter that includes a new CPU, motherboard, and a more current GPU like the 9060XT. I'd recommend looking into that instead since it sounds like safer investment over an older card with issues.
What about second-hand deals? Are there better options on the used market?
Definitely! Just be sure to check for solid working conditions and maybe even test them if you can.

But if it runs fine when it's underclocked, isn't that just a minor fix? Maybe you could get it working without spending too much.