I'm contemplating buying a used graphics card since I'm due for an upgrade. I found a used RTX 4080 (ROG Strix OC, 16GB) for $500, and the seller claims he just upgraded to a 5090 and doesn't need it anymore. On the other hand, there's an MSI 3080 for $280 that was supposedly only used for a month. Both prices seem low compared to what I'm seeing online—around $900+ for the 4080 and about $350+ for the 3080.
I'm currently running a GTX 1660 Super with a Ryzen 7 2700x, 16GB RAM, and a B450M motherboard, and I have a 650W Corsair PSU, but I know a 750W is recommended for either of these cards. Can I even test these cards with my current setup?
I'm not working with a strict budget but want to keep the GPU under $1000 and the total spend around $1750. I plan to use it for games like Apex Legends and Helldivers 2, and I'd love to dabble in some AI projects too. Should I buy one of these used cards, or wait for new models to drop in price?
4 Answers
The 3080 is still a decent card for 1080p gaming. It's older now and might not be a powerhouse, but it's good for your needs without being over the top on power. Just remember that undervolting can help with noise and power consumption if you go that route.
If you can verify the 4080 works, it could be a steal. However, your PSU might not cut it for both cards since they’re both power-hungry. Make sure to check that before you buy!
Thanks for the advice! I wouldn’t want to assume I can just plug it in. I’ll ask the seller if I can see it running in their setup.
For in-person buys, always see the card running yourself. Photos and videos aren't enough. If you can use PayPal for buyer protection, that's a plus, but make sure you see it working first.
Got it! I’ll stick to seeing it in person. Thanks for the reassurance!
That $500 for the 4080 sounds too good to be true. Scammers often use lines like 'just upgraded' to lure buyers. If you can see it running in person, that would be ideal. But if they want to ship it, definitely avoid that!
Haha, yeah, I'm suspicious too! My inexperience combined with the chance for a deal is concerning. Gotta be careful!
Looks like my 16GB RAM might need an upgrade soon! Thanks for the heads up on the undervolting!