Outrageous graphics card market!

[AusWolf]

I just want to share my thoughts..more like vent! lol

I wonder what the future holds for system builders like me? Over the past 20 years system building has been a hobby for me. The cryptocurrency boom has put a stop to my budget builds pretty much. Last year at this time I bought 3 GTX 1650s for under $500 now im lucky if I can buy just 1 for that price, and IF its in stock. I never thought I would have any use for some old video cards I have in storage like AMD RX 550 and 560s. Now they are selling on Ebay for $100+. I know some are still better than integrated graphics but they lack storage and features to match up with todays technology. I dont like what cryptocurrency mining has done to the tech industry. I just read about CHIA which uses storage space and wonder how it will effect the HDD and SSD industry if it starts to take off... I just wonder if anyone else out there has any thoughts? I know im not alone in this thinking!

I've recently downgraded from a R9 5950X and RX 5700 XT to a R3 3100 and GTX 1650 and moved the whole system into a slim HTPC case. Believe it or not, I'm happy with it.

Lessons to be learned (at least what I've learned):
1. you don't need the latest and greatest to play games,
2. know what you need the PC for, and build accordingly.

Of course, it's fun to play with shiny new tech, but if you really like building PCs the way I do, then consider building some low-end gaming rigs just for the sake of it. It's a highly rewarding hobby - more rewarding than putting a high-end system together and playing on 200+ fps without any tweaking.

 

[Splinterdog]

My upgrade from RX580 to Rx5700XT in December was more by whim/accident than by design. I could afford it, having saved up the money, not realising the future mess the market would be in now.
To go from AR$70,000 to AR$500,000 and above for the 5700 in the space of five months is barely believable. That's actually more than our Honda Fit (Jazz) is worth

 

[AusWolf]

My upgrade from RX580 to Rx5700XT in December was more by whim/accident than by design. I could afford it, having saved up the money, not realising the future mess the market would be in now.
To go from AR$70,000 to AR$500,000 and above for the 5700 in the space of five months is barely believable. That's actually more than our Honda Fit (Jazz) is worth

That's exactly why I sold mine (5700XT). Now I'm a happy owner of a low profile GTX 1650.

 

[maxfly]

But men say nothing when the missus wants a Gucci bag... double standards much?

Sadly GPUs have become our Gucci bags! So it has all come full circle lol.

 

[Frank_100]

I've recently downgraded from a R9 5950X and RX 5700 XT to a R3 3100 and GTX 1650 and moved the whole system into a slim HTPC case. Believe it or not, I'm happy with it.

Lessons to be learned (at least what I've learned):
1. you don't need the latest and greatest to play games,
2. know what you need the PC for, and build accordingly.

Of course, it's fun to play with shiny new tech, but if you really like building PCs the way I do, then consider building some low-end gaming rigs just for the sake of it. It's a highly rewarding hobby - more rewarding than putting a high-end system together and playing on 200+ fps without any tweaking.

Even the GTX 1650 are selling for three to four times what they were a year ago.

 

[AusWolf]

Even the GTX 1650 are selling for three to four times what they were a year ago.

True, though 3x £100 is more affordable and realistic than 3x £800 for an RTX 3080 that many gamers want, but few actually need. I've noticed that most gamers find the situation unbearable because they confuse wants with needs.

Unfortunately, we don't have the option to buy graphics cards on yesteryear's prices, so we have to make do with what we have.