GPU miners trickery: Watch out for painted memory on used graphics cards

PSA: Discolored reminiscence chips are a typical signal indicating closely used graphics playing cards, probably former mining playing cards. Current proof suggests some resellers try to deceive prospects by portray over the reminiscence. The paint comes off comparatively simply for these inspecting the used GPUs.

Two Brazilian YouTube channels have uncovered indicators that crypto miners try to promote used graphics playing cards by passing them off as extra calmly used than they’re. A stunning new tactic is to disguise indicators of damage on the GDDR reminiscence.

When a GPU has been below heavy load for prolonged intervals, resembling for mining cryptocurrency, the warmth may give the reminiscence chips a yellow tint. Iskandar Souza (under) and TecLab lately posted movies analyzing playing cards showing to have paint on these chips. Scraping off the paint revealed discoloration. Souza’s report compares a recent GPU with one that includes disguised put on and tear.

The previous few years have set the stage for such schemes within the graphics card market. Miners try to dump the GPUs from their rigs that misplaced profitability after the crypto winter and Ethereum Merge final yr. Though the mining drop-off has improved costs in latest months, many playing cards nonetheless struggle to reach their MSRP.

On this atmosphere, offers on used GPUs are possible nonetheless engaging to many potential prospects. These patrons possible wish to keep away from playing cards from crypto mines that are extra worn than most.

Heavy use and restore efforts additionally depart marks on different components of GPUs, as Souza’s video reveals. Discoloration round and scratches on the cardboard’s central processor could point out the vendor tried to resolder it, for example. Lacking screws may counsel somebody opened a graphics card to cowl up traces of mining use.

Final yr, we reported on a video showing a miner attempting to organize GPUs for resale by blasting a rack of them with a stress washer — a extremely unadvisable technique. Not solely can untreated water injury graphics card parts, however so can the power of the stress washer.

All refurbished GPUs aren’t dangerous, nonetheless. Patrons simply have to be cautious when shopping for from third-party sellers on main websites like Newegg and Amazon. The most secure method to get refurbs might be straight from the shops of board companions like PNY and EVGA (pictured above).