I'm planning to build my first PC, but with the ongoing GPU shortages, I might buy the GPU now and wait until later in the year to get the rest of the parts. If I purchase a GPU around February/March and then leave it in the box until December, will that harm it in any way? What should I do to ensure it's safe during that time?
5 Answers
I still have an old GPU from the late '90s that works perfectly fine, so you don't need to worry too much about age. Just avoid extreme storage conditions, and you'll be fine!
The main thing to consider is that time in the box counts against your warranty, but nothing harmful will happen just sitting there. Just be careful with potential scams and testing, and you should be fine waiting it out.
It's generally safe to leave it boxed up, but remember that your warranty starts when you buy it. So, if it ends up being dead on arrival, it might be tougher to get support later on. Try to find a friend who can help you test it shortly after buying, then you can put it back in the box until you're ready to use it.
That's a good point! Testing it right away can save you a lot of hassle.
Modern GPUs are pretty sturdy, and just sitting there won't let them expire or anything. The only real risk is if your room is super humid or you let dust build up. Just keep it in its box or the anti-static bag, and you should be good.
You can definitely keep the GPU in the box for a while without any issues. Those cards can sit on shelves for years without a problem, as long as you're not exposing them to dust or extreme conditions. Just store it somewhere cool and safe!
Wow, that's a classic! Those old cards were built to last!