Been looking around for a RTX 3060 graphics card but with the lack of deals they don't seem worth the price, hence a used GPU seems the most optimal. Many sellers have offered to show that the GPU is in fact working.
What are some red flags or signs that GPU may become faulty in the future.
Will really appreciate any tips.
Anything is a smoke machine if you operate it wrong enough.
Have a look at the fans, make sure they're not wobbling or anything like that. Fans are the biggest issue, particularly on ex-mining GPUs and it's a pain in the butt to fix. Also ask them to run a 3DMarks benchmark, if it crashes then walk away as there is a memory or chip issue. Also ask them to run GPUz to make sure it's the GPU they say it is. That'll cover everything possible.
If those things are fine, it'll probably run fine for years. But always try get a copy of the receipt for warranty anyway.
I've seen a couple of sites selling ex-mining GPUs at gumtree prices too, like this one - https://rlgtech.square.site/shop/graphics-cards/2 - cannot vouch for them though.
21 minute video by Gamers' Nexus titled "Warning Signs When Buying Used GPUs: How to Detect Defective Video Cards"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2VkkEHDG5E
my old comment https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/12055294/redir
I recently picked up a $70 RX 580 8GB from AliExpress and it was very obviously a refurb with a new cooler and everything else. The thermal paste wasn't optimal so once I fixed that it's been perfect.
Worth nothing it's the Chinese version of the RX 580 so the performance is less than a normal RX 580 but more than a 570. In the middle basically and came with DP/HDMI/DVI, though you can get others without DVI and a mix of 3 or 4 HDMI/DP ports. I bought it purely out of curiosity.
Other than artifacts on the screen and the temps are super high
I have bought over a dozen GPUs in the last 10 years 2nd 3rd, or even 4th hand (you will never know ) and I've never had a gpu fail on me. I must be lucky I guess.
What are some red flags or signs that GPU may become faulty in the future.
The fact it's a GPU. It could die tomorrow, or in twenty years. By choosing used, you're making the bet you won't need the warranty.
(all 2nd hand) Many many years ago I bought a 1060 3GB, that worked for 3yrs flawlessly until I sold it to get a 1060 6GB, which died in a few weeks, proceeded to replace that with another 1060 6GB and that ran flawlessly for 2.5yrs until I replaced it in December with a 2080Ti, only time will tell on that one.
You just have to know what you're getting into, you can't expect quality/longevity of new without paying for it.
Mining doesn't 100% mean it's gonna jump off the cliff soon, having said that, I bought my 2080Ti off someone who was selling it along with CPU/gaming motherboard, so it's relatively safe to assume it was used as a normal rig.
If you do go 2nd hand, spend 10mins taking it apart to clean the fans/cooling fins/etc of dust, and reapply the thermal compound, if you're comfortable.
Just ask to see it working ? And If it has any warranty or receipt provided..
Personally have never had an issue buying second hand pc parts, just these days I notice GPU's can still be overpriced on the second hand markets.
In terms of a new GPU, are you not interested in a AMD 6600XT? I purchased a gigabyte 6600XT and it outperforms a 3060ti and even match a 3070, uses less power and have seen it overclock to 2.7ghz. Benchmarks are skewed and real world performance is entirely decided by what games you play, if it's a variety of games I recommend AMD, if it's a specific game sponsored by nVidia then maybe enjoy the higher energy usage (or if doing 3D animation as well).
i ended up getting a 6650xt brand new
If smoke is coming out would be one.