The severe GPU shortage might be ending now that cryptocurrency prices are falling. Bitcoin miners are dumping a ton of used GPUs on the market in an effort to recoup some of that expense. But is it safe to purchase these cards after they have spent months, or perhaps even years, sitting in a crypto-miner operating round-the-clock?
In general, the response is “yes.” Although purchasing used graphics cards from Bitcoin miners has some inherent hazards, these risks aren’t actually any higher than those associated with purchasing used parts in the first place. Let’s dissect it.
GPUs are not vehicles
It can be tempting to believe that electrical parts have a limited lifespan and should be replaced after a certain amount of use. But that’s not really the case; provided they don’t have moving components and aren’t subjected to harsh conditions that go against their design parameters, outdated devices can function without a hitch for decades. For instance, I once operated digital logging systems on trains that had been running nonstop for fifty years.
It is true that computer parts gradually deteriorate. Hard drives are a prime example here; if you don’t prepare for your drive to fail, you’ll eventually be caught off guard. However, graphics cards are a little unique. While they occasionally malfunction, this is more often due to a flaw in the very intricate chip creation process than to “wear out” from constant use. This is an example of the “lemon” phenomenon in action: a GPU or CPU that continues to function properly after its warranty has expired is likely to last for at least a few years. Here, the phrase “bathtub curve” from engineering is appropriate.
As a result, you might consider graphics cards that have been used in mining rigs for a while to have reached the end of their usable technological life. It’s probably reliable as long as it hasn’t been unnecessarily overclocked, overheated, or physically harmed.
Miners don’t abuse their equipment as much as you may believe
It is true that the purpose of a cryptocurrency mining rig is to continuously crunch numbers, day in and day out, in search of the illusive sweet, sweet hash. Let me save you some reading and just say this if that sentence doesn’t make any sense to you: Bitcoin miners use graphics cards to perform the mathematical calculations that convert electricity into digital currency.
However, that condensed explanation is sufficient to highlight a crucial point. Processing power is obviously a factor in cryptocurrency mining, which is why GPUs have distributed chip designs that generally outperform CPUs for the majority of mining techniques.
There are always risks when buying used, so proceed with caution
So we’ve established that used graphics cards from mining rigs aren’t especially bad picks, at least in terms of used hardware. However, you know, they’re still used hardware. Although purchasing used is a great way to save money.
When purchasing used, you typically want a guarantee of your purchase. eBay/PayPal with its built-in buyer protection is a good example, and Amazon is generally an excellent site to pick up used goods, since suppliers don’t want to risk endangering accounts with repeated reports from disgruntled buyers.
User-to-user markets tend to be cheaper than both these possibilities, but they’re also riskier: if you spend $250 on a lousy graphics card on Craigslist or Facebook, there’s no possibility for restitution. Caveat emptor, as always. It might also be worth checking for newer cards: in addition to higher power and efficiency at all price levels, several manufacturers like EVGA, Gigabyte, and MSI enable warranties to transfer between owners. They’ll replace bad cards based on serial numbers so long as the purchase date is within the warranty term.
