Buying GPU: New or Second-Hand?

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In this thread: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-2165581/problems-computer-hdd-gpu.html I described a problem I am encountering with my Nvidia 8800 GT. A friend of mine and I will put our heads together tomorrow and test the computer out to see if the GPU itself is faulty, but if worst comes to worst and it's a goner, I thought I should start searching for a replacement online.
I found this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B007D60PKE/ref=olp_tab_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used on Amazon, there is also a refurbished one that costs more with shipping, but I was wondering if it's good to get a second-hand card like this or if I should go for a cheap newer one? I don't have much money to spend on it, but I also don't need an incredibly high-performance card either. I do game occasionally, but nothing to graphics-intensive yet. I did get Skyrim recently though, so I would like it to be capable of playing that.
Thanks for your help.
Tomshardware is a fantastic place. :)
 
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hang-the-9
I would not buy a used video card without testing it. Plus replacing the 8800 with another 8800 is silly as the card is several generations old. You can get a NEW card for $60-80 that is much faster.

8800 GT is ranked 246th. GT 640 is ranked 143 and is about 80. The Radeon R7 240 can be found for $60 after rebates http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103252&cm_re=r7_240-_-14-103-252-_-Product and is still faster than the 8800 GT. Although I'd stick with the GT 640 since it's quite a bit faster and is not much more.
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BleedingEdgeTek

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What kind of money are you looking to spend? Second hand computer parts are always iffy by nature, but without being heavily stressed I wouldn't see a problem. If you're wanting to play Skyrim though, I would get new/refurb over used if possible.
 
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I don't know. It wasn't really in my budget plan to buy a new GPU and I'm still hoping I won't need it, but anything I spend on the GPU I'll probably have to take out of my HDD. Maybe I won't be able to get an SSD after all for now. :/
The GPU would almost certainly have to be under $100 though, unless some money pops up out of nowhere :D. I would prefer if it were less than $80 though, but I know that's a bit pitiful.
 
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hang-the-9

hang-the-9

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I would not buy a used video card without testing it. Plus replacing the 8800 with another 8800 is silly as the card is several generations old. You can get a NEW card for $60-80 that is much faster.

8800 GT is ranked 246th. GT 640 is ranked 143 and is about 80. The Radeon R7 240 can be found for $60 after rebates http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103252&cm_re=r7_240-_-14-103-252-_-Product and is still faster than the 8800 GT. Although I'd stick with the GT 640 since it's quite a bit faster and is not much more.
 
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Thanks, hang-the-9. I was just wondering where I can see the ranking list. The one I see here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html shows the 8800 GT and the GT 640 to be at the same level.
I looked at the R7 240 and it looks really good, however this Sapphire one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202056&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= has 2 GB RAM and is $10 cheaper than the 1 GB version. Is there a difference?
Also, are there some brands to avoid in the GPU department? Or is it basically all the same since NVidia and ATI are the ones behind it anyway?
I also found this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131564&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= which according to the Graphic Hierarchy chart I linked to is a very good GPU and quite a bit better than the GT 640 for a cheaper price than I've found a GT 640 for.
Sorry, I'm a noob to graphics cards, so I'm not sure if I'm completely wrong, just trying to understand so I make a good purchase. Thanks again for your help.

PS: I just noticed that the Sapphire has DDR3 whilst the Diamond has GDDR5. I suppose GDDR5 is quite significantly faster than DDR3? It probably makes more sense to go for GDDR5 than the extra GB of RAM even if it's $10 more, right?
 
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Thanks for your help, guys!
It turns out that my GPU is faulty. However, my friend who had the same problem, pretty much, discovered that his wasn't faulty, but it was just the adapter (strange, huh?).
The good news is that since he was ordering a GPU already, he'll give it to me. Yay!
Thanks for your help all the same.
 
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