Red flags when buying 2nd hand GPU???

[rnhbs]

Hey all so I might purchase a new GPU second hand and what are some steps to test if the GPU is good to go and hasnt been mined on?

[AlTech]

1 minute ago, rnhbs said:

Hey all so I might purchase a new GPU second hand and what are some steps to test if the GPU is good to go and hasnt been mined on?

Even if a GPU has been mined on, so long as it's not been stressed too hard then it should be fine.

 

Just make sure to run VRAM stress tests and also GPU stress tests like the ones in 3DMark. Not talking about 3DMark's benchmarks.

[alatron978]

If a gpu has been mined by someone who knows what they are doing, it wouldnt matter because when people mine on gpu's they push the voltage and clocks way down to lower power consumption. All i would be worried about is if the fans are in good condition.

[xAcid9]

Check the PCB for rust. 

[rnhbs]

4 minutes ago, AluminiumTech said:

Even if a GPU has been mined on, so long as it's not been stressed too hard then it should be fine.

 

Just make sure to run VRAM stress tests and also GPU stress tests like the ones in 3DMark. Not talking about 3DMark's benchmarks.

Wait what do you mean “not talking about 3DMark’s benchmarks”? Do i test the GPU on 3DMark or not?

[AlTech]

2 minutes ago, rnhbs said:

Wait what do you mean “not talking about 3DMark’s benchmarks”? Do i test the GPU on 3DMark or not?

3DMark has stress testing facilities which are separate from benchmarking. Just open the 3DMark program and you'll be able to run the GPU stress tests.

[TamerOfCarps]

Look at capacitors and test fans

 

[Blze001]

7 minutes ago, alatron978 said:

If a gpu has been mined by someone who knows what they are doing, it wouldnt matter because when people mine on gpu's they push the voltage and clocks way down to lower power consumption. All i would be worried about is if the fans are in good condition.

If it was used by a coin miner with common sense, I'd argue it's a better option than one used for gaming. 24/7 at low voltage and temps is way less rough on a card than sporadic bouts of intense heat and utilization, not to mention overclocking and benchmark runs.

[TamerOfCarps]

Just now, Blze001 said:

If it was used by a coin miner with common sense, I'd arguably be a better option than one used for gaming.

I'm extremely happy with the used rx 580 i got for my little brother's PC. Got it from a miner for 125 eur.

[Blze001]

2 minutes ago, TamerOfCarps said:

I'm extremely happy with the used rx 580 i got for my little brother's PC. Got it from a miner for 125 eur.

Hooked two friends up with Vega 56 cards off Ebay from the same miner getting out of the game, they were mint. He even kept the original boxes and accessories.

 

Not to say regular use cards can't be good. I got my 1080ti a year ago off Ebay (jumped when the prices were suppressed by people rushing to get those RTX preorders in) and it's been flawless. Again, the owner kept the original box/cables. Even had the red plugs for the ports.

[TamerOfCarps]

Just now, Blze001 said:

Hooked two friends up with Vega 56 cards off Ebay from the same miner getting out of the game, they were mint. He even kept the original boxes and accessories.

 

Not to say regular use cards can't be good. I got my 1080ti a year ago off Ebay (jumped when the prices were suppressed by people rushing to get those RTX preorders in) and it's been flawless. Again, the owner kept the original box/cables. Even had the red plugs for the ports.

I wouldn't ever get a gaming gpu used unless it has some remaining warranty. Gamerboys really love abusing their components most of the time. Also YES, extras included like plugs for ports are a big green light if you wanna know that the guy kept his card's stuff and cared for it. 

[GrockleTD]

Just now, TamerOfCarps said:

I wouldn't ever get a gaming gpu used unless it has some remaining warranty. Gamerboys really love abusing their components most of the time. Also YES, extras included like plugs for ports are a big green light if you wanna know that the guy kept his card's stuff and cared for it. 

Being an epic gamer man who currently has been recently overclocking the lint off my pc hardware, I concur with this point

[TamerOfCarps]

1 minute ago, GrockleTD said:

Being an epic gamer man who currently has been recently overclocking the lint off my pc hardware, I concur with this point

I get squeamish when my gpu crosses the 75 degree mark. IDK how you tolerate it.

[GrockleTD]

Just now, TamerOfCarps said:

I get squeamish when my gpu crosses the 75 degree mark. IDK how you tolerate it.

Lol my GPU has never gone above 60. And my CPU even at 1.44V topped out at 50

[TamerOfCarps]

Just now, GrockleTD said:

Lol my GPU has never gone above 60. And my CPU even at 1.44V topped out at 50

Well I got my 1080 from my little brother's pc cause it was overheating on his. MSI armor is the most shit cooler you could find. My fans on 240 aio run at about 1200 rpm and cpu doesn't cross 47 degrees. Ryzen running at boost clock and sometimes going to 4ghz.

[GrockleTD]

Just now, TamerOfCarps said:

Well I got my 1080 from my little brother's pc cause it was overheating on his. MSI armor is the most shit cooler you could find. My fans on 240 aio run at about 1200 rpm and cpu doesn't cross 47 degrees. Ryzen running at boost clock and sometimes going to 4ghz.

To be fair, I can’t even OC enough to get my GPU to use more than 100W

[TamerOfCarps]

I wish i had taken the rx580, it was a nice card too, a nitro+.

[SupaKomputa]

Great condition miners GPU is always better than gamer gpu.

Gamer GPU OC the heck out of the card to get extra fps.

Long term stable load is better than short term burst.

 

Look for :
- Working fans and working variable speed.

- Cleanliness, no burning traces.

- Normal temperature (not above 90c)