Warning Signs When Buying Used GPUs: How to Detect Defective Video Cards

We're going over the most common defects with used GPUs, hopefully providing a roadmap for how to look for warning signs when buying a used card locally or online. Comment w/ your own!

We know a lot of people are eying both the second-hand and new markets right now, hoping to land whatever is available and sensible for the rest of the build. Because of this, we've had an influx of viewer emails about eBay scams and broken GPUs sold "used" to unsuspecting buyers. You should always pre-test a card before paying if buying physically in the same area as the seller, or if you're buyer protected, test it immediately on receipt from an online seller. In that process, you can use this video to help identify some of the most common used GPU failures. Those often include clock locks, overheating / dust build-up, dead fans, broken fans, physical card damage (like missing capacitors from a bad disassembly), bad GPU sag, and the like. Many of these are resolvable or, worst case, identifiable so that you can return the card or pass on the purchase. There are many more -- please sound-off with your experiences in the comments!



TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Getting Ripped Off
01:25 - Things to Look For in a Used GPU (Quick List)
03:09 - Human Factors & Judging Character
04:42 - Our Defect Pile
06:00 - Frequency Stuck Way Below Boost
07:00 - How to Validate Basics with Software & GPU-Z
11:10 - How GPU Artifacting & Bad Memory Can Look
13:23 - Identifying GPU Sag & Fixing GPU Sag
14:21 - Broken Fans, Capacitors, Warped PCBs, & Physical Problems
18:28 - Additional Thoughts & Warnings

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Host, Writing: Steve Burke
Video: Andrew Coleman, Keegan Gallick

[GamersNexus]

We'd love to hear more about our community's experiences with either buying used PC hardware components (GPUs, CPUs, etc.) or helping friends fix their own. There are probably a lot more shared experiences that can help other viewers of the comments section learn and protect themselves from bad purchases. Post them below!

[jonathan]

2020: NVIDIA/AMD New GPU Press Conference
2021: Used GPU Buyer's Guide

[NPAK]

"Looks like Linus handled it" 10/10

[Runner]

Sign number 1: guy is selling like 8 of them and claims they have only been used for gaming

[northwestrepair]

#1 Look for a PCB color on the top edge of the PCB. If its looks dark, this card ran hot and likely to be dirty inside.
#2 if PCB is dark at the bottom as well, it means it ran hot for a very long time. Almost guaranteed to be a miner card or a gamer who neglected cleaning their rig.
#3 Look for a temper proof label. If it isnt there, ask the seller why. You want to know why card was opened. Was it re-pasted or re-padded ?
If it runs little too hot, its likely done wrong. Do it the right way with proper pad thickness and paste application.
#4 Look for missing serial number or other stickers on the PCB (unless covered by back plate) that indicated previous repairs such as but not limited to removing/replacing components and/or memory and/or GPU its self.

How ever, i my own defense, just because its repaired, does not mean its bad. Often times you get brand new components installed which are likely to outlive the cards remaining life so dont hesitate to buy repaired cards.
In fact, repaired cards get more attention to testing for performance and stability before selling them then those who just sell them not knowing anything about them.

[UndeadFleshgod]

What to look for when buying new GPUs: A miracle

[LastSecBloomer]

I got my 1080Ti from someone who was mining and it was in good shape, aside from high temps. I stripped the cooler and found out the thermal paste was dried up. I repasted it and it brough down teperatures by nearly 20 degrees...working like a charm for over a year now.

[ek]

"its all social stuff. hopefully youve got some skills there."
thats asking a fair amount from a tech enthusiast audience (^:

[BogusQuacky]

Tips: If you're buying local, you have NO recourse at all. This means that you should pay 70-90% of the eBay prices if you buy locally. If they won't budge, just remind them you have a "warranty" that it wont be DOA when buying online

[Dank_Lulu]

Again, this is timed rather nicely. As far as personal experience goes, I've bought a few used PC items online and the best advice I can give is: go with your gut. If it feels off or sketchy, move on to the next guy.

[mikev]

Did I really just see a dvi to vga adapter on a gamers nexus video in 2021

[jamesmiele]

Thank you for taking time to teach people how to look out for themselves. Videos like this are very appreciated! Thank you Gamers Nexus!

[KingDodango]

Unexpected use for this video: checking my GPU before trying to sell it.

[davepianist]

I took a leap of faith once with a 680, I plugged and the fan was making a noise like turning on and off, but the seller seemed legit so I took hist word that the card was good, it ended up that I just plugged it badly and the second cable was lose, never again showed any problems

[xpyr]

Great video! I remember Linus doing a basic video like this, but you went into depths that made it easy to understand and what you should be looking. Thank you very much!

[Nostalgia_Realm]

11:27 Nice touch :) My experience with artifacting is that it usually appears either when you push a GPU memory clock too far or when your card is on the verge of dying. Had this with my MSI R9 270x that died months after warranty ran out. First it would crash GPU drivers and artifact, then my system wouldn't even complete post with the GPU inserted most of the time.

[maxbet]

Videos like this is what makes Gamers Nexus a solid group of ppl worth following 👍

[BornLegit]

Talk about perfect timing, many people are looking for GPU's in the used market so this is definitely helpful

[SparkY]

I have some important information about soldat that everybody needs to know:

You can modify the minigun bullet type in a config file so that it will shoot knives. Every game needs this, and it is the only way to play soldat. Thank you.

[Charter]

Steve already mentioned this briefly, but some broken GPUs can experience problems just after running inside the system for a while. Had a GPU that would crash in 3D-Applications after 1-2 weeks of use. Reseating the card would give another period without crashes. There was zero observable sag, but I still suspect that it had something to do with the PCIe connector loosening over time.