Unlock the Power of Used Graphics Cards: Top Value Picks for Every Budget
The Thrifty Gamer’s Guide to Buying a Used Graphics Card
Are you tired of breaking the bank on a new graphics card? Look no further! The used market is a treasure trove of affordable options that can satisfy your gaming needs without draining your wallet. In this article, we’ll dive into the world of used graphics cards, exploring the best options for buyers and what to avoid.
Where to Find Used Graphics Cards
The used market is vast, with numerous platforms to choose from. eBay is a great starting point, offering a wealth of listings with detailed price history. We’ve taken the average price for the last 100 completed sales of each used graphics card model on eBay to determine the "typical" price.
High-End GPUs Used? Not a Great Deal
You can currently buy premium current-generation graphics cards on the used market, but they’re not exactly a bargain. Models like the GeForce RTX 4090 and Radeon RX 7900 XTX are available, but they’re hardly a "deal." For example, the RTX 4090’s current average used price is $1,578, which is actually above the MSRP.
A Discrete GPU for $70? Here are Your Options
At the bottom of the market, we have the 4GB GPUs: the GeForce GTX 1650 Super at $77, the GeForce GTX 1650 at $72, the Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB at $75, and the Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB at $69 – nice. Buyers are pretty much saying at this point that 4GB of VRAM is not enough outside of basic titles and aren’t willing to spend much more than $80 for that level of capability.
What We Learned
Overall, the used market remains a vibrant and healthy place to purchase a graphics card, with many options available at sensible prices. Generally, models are priced according to their performance and obvious features like VRAM capacity. However, as always, there are some outliers that should be avoided.
Conclusion
The used market is especially strong in the lower price ranges, where there’s more competition and greater discounts compared to new GPUs at the same performance level. Around $250 or lower is the sweet spot, where you can often get a card that’s upwards of 30% faster for the same price as a new GPU. Even at $150, you can find graphics cards that are quite capable in today’s games, albeit with reduced quality settings. And at around $100, there’s no point in even considering a new GPU – the second-hand market is simply that much better.
Table: Used Graphics Card Prices
| Model | MSRP | Average Used Price | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| GeForce RTX 4090 | $1,600 | $1,579 | 7% |
| GeForce RTX 4080 Super | $1,000 | $929 | 3% |
| GeForce RTX 4080 | $1,200 | $860 | – |
| GeForce RTX 3090 Ti | $2,000 | $852 | – |
| Radeon 7900 XTX | $1,000 | $767 | 18% |
| GeForce GTX 1650 Super | $160 | $77 | 52% |
| GeForce GTX 1650 | $150 | $72 | 52% |
| Radeon RX 6500 XT 4GB | $200 | $75 | 62% |
| Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB | $200 | $69 | 65% |
Best Value Choices
- Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB
- GeForce GTX 1650 Super
What to Avoid
- High-end GPUs with prices above MSRP
- GPUs with broken or damaged components
- Scam-like listings with unusually low prices
By following these guidelines, you can find a used graphics card that meets your gaming needs without breaking the bank. Happy hunting!
