GTX 1650 SUPER And RX 5500 XT Vs The $200 Used Market

[Mark-x]

Recently we published a review of the SAPPHIRE Pulse Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB review and in it, we compared it to the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER as well as the last generation cards that they were both replacing. The catch there was those older cards are now dirt cheap if you can find them on the market, but what about those sitting on about $200 cash for a new graphics card? The new features and efficiencies of the new cards are great, but what if you're trying to maximize the amount of power you're getting for the money you spend?

In new launch card reviews, I typically don't discuss the used market, not because I'm trying to pay favors to the new cards but it's because the used market is volatile as can be. And, when you're spending $400 or more on a graphics card knowing there is a standing warranty behind it and you know where it's been can go a long way in easing that purchase. But, when you're trying to squeeze the dollars as hard as possible in this price range what does the used market have to offer

 

At the end are we really surprised to see the performance uplift for the money spent? There are some net wins with the last generation upper mid-tier powerhouses; extremely strong 1080p performance that will last you quite some time, 8GB for certain without worrying which model you get, and the ability to double up with SLI or Crossfire (if you're brave enough to fight those battles).

 

But, there are some downsides too. The biggest being warranty, with new cards you get that sweet sweet warranty and for anyone out there who has ever had to RMA a graphics card will tell you it is worth its weight in gold (or at least the cost of the card). The newer cards run much cooler and consume a lot less power, that's an undeniable long term saving on your wallet and ears. Game bundles, yes that's a plus on new graphics cards, especially if you can buy a card and get a couple of AAA titles to fire up without shelling out extra.

 

It is a tough predicament for sure and with the worry of the market becoming strained over current viral outbreaks and the apparent resurgence of crypto mining these used cards might dry up quickly and completely destroy any value proposition leaving the new cards as the only viable option until they too run out. So with the numbers laid out on the table, I'm interested in hearing where our readers would place their cold hard pair of Benjamins.