These 7 graphics cards you should not buy new in the shop in 2021

The demand for graphics cards is currently high and many are also willing to pay high prices. However, there are also some graphics cards you should avoid unless you can get them at a great price. MeinMMO explains why you should avoid the purchase and what alternatives there are for urgent users.

The most important things at a glance:

• You should not buy new GeForce RTX 2000 or Radeon RX 5700 (XT) cards right now, as prices are at the same level as current models but with less performance potential. In the long run, prices for all graphics cards will drop again.
• Patient people should wait until 2021 to buy new hardware until prices and offers stabilize or wait for good deals.
• People looking for alternatives urgently can consider pre-built PCs and gaming laptops with RTX 3000. The mobile variant offers less performance than the desktop GPUs.
• Those who pay attention can also find good deals on older graphics cards in the used market. Here, patience is worthwhile.

Many gamers currently want to upgrade their gaming PCs and are willing to invest a substantial amount of money. Especially with old graphics cards, good money can be made right now, as they are currently in high demand. The latest graphics cards, like the GeForce RTX 3080, are currently hardly available or only available at very high prices.

However, you should take a few things into account when buying a graphics card and refrain from buying a number of specific graphics cards new in the shop – unless you get them at a very good price. On paper, the GPUs offer high performance and top titles run smoothly on them, but we advise against investing money in so-called “last-gen hardware.”

Finally, we give you a tip on what you can do if you absolutely need new hardware.

These graphics cards you should not buy new in the shop:

• GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
• GeForce RTX 2080 Super
• GeForce RTX 2080
• GeForce RTX 2070 Super
• GeForce RTX 2070
• GeForce RTX 2060 Super
• Radeon RX 5700 XT

In the following section, we will go into detail about the graphics cards and explain what speaks against buying them and why you should be patient.

Nvidia’s RTX 2000 series

These graphics cards are at stake: The RTX 2000 series had a Super refresh back in 2019. This increased the performance a little more. Currently, the RTX 2080 Super has been replaced by the GeForce RTX 3080.

The RTX 3000 series is significantly more efficient and powerful than the previous generation. The recommended retail price is also below that of earlier models from the 2000 series.

The RTX 2000 cards are powerful cards, but at their current prices, they are definitely not recommended, as the new generation is already available. You should either wait for a substantial price drop or opt for the latest series when available.

What you should consider when making a purchase: In general, with the RTX 3080 for 699 euros, you get significantly more performance than with the RTX 2080 Ti at a lower price. However, this is only theoretical, as prices are currently very high. Since some people do not have enough patience, scalpers make several million dollars from RTX 3080 sales. If you still want to buy one, you should pay attention to:

• You should pay less for the RTX 2080 Ti than for an RTX 3080, as it offers more performance. Currently, prices for the RTX 2080 Ti are between 1300 and 1400 euros (via Geizhals.de), for various custom models of the RTX 3080, you currently pay between 1150 and 1300 euros (via Geizhals.de).
• The RTX 3070 is a better deal compared to the RTX 2070 Super, especially since the prices for the RTX 3070 are about 100 euros lower than the Super card (700 vs 800 euros, via Geizhals.de).
• You should pay less for the GeForce RTX 2080 Super than for the RTX 3080. Currently, prices for an RTX 2080 Super start at 1100 euros (via Geizhals.de), you can get an RTX 3080 in the best case already for 1150 euros.
• Also pay attention to the used market: Here you can often find good deals on last-gen graphics cards and pay significantly less than for new models and save several hundred euros. The RTX 2000 models still offer sufficient performance in 2021, and a RTX 3000 graphics card is not necessarily required.

Compared to the RTX 2000 generation, you get more performance than the top model RTX 2080 Ti at a significantly lower price – at least theoretically. Some testers like GameStar assure that the RTX 3080 has 60 – 80 % more performance than the RTX 2080.

In the following table, we compare the current prices of old graphics cards with Nvidia’s recommended retail price. Here you can see that the prices of the old models with less performance currently cost significantly more.

Graphics cards	Price
GeForce RTX 2080 Super	from 915 euros
GeForce RTX 3080 FE	719 euros (RRP)
GeForce RTX 2070 Super	from 819 euros
GeForce RTX 3070 FE	499 euros (RRP)
GeForce RTX 2060	from 399 euros
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti	319 euros (RRP)

So if you are patient, you can generally get significantly more powerful GPUs for less money.

For Nvidia’s last high-end model, the RTX 2080 Ti, you currently pay over 1200 euros (via Geizhals.de) and even the RTX 2080 (Super) models currently cost around 1000 euros (via Geizhals.de).

It is therefore only worthwhile to opt for the “last generation” if they currently fall below the new models. Currently (as of February 5, 2021), the old models sometimes cost more than the new cards.

AMD’s Radeon RX 5700 XT

This graphics card is at stake: The Radeon RX 5700 XT is considered by many to be one of the best graphics cards in the mid-range and WQHD sector. Websites like GameStar still list the RX 5700 XT as the best alternative for gamers looking to play in WQHD or Full-HD with more than 60 FPS. As another alternative, there was only the RTX 2060 Super from Nvidia at a similar price-performance level.

Here’s why you should avoid purchasing: The recommended retail price from AMD was 369 euros for the RX 5700 and 419 euros for the XT model at the end of 2019.

Currently, you are paying about 500 euros and more for used models (via Geizhals.de) and new devices are hardly available. Even for the RX 5700 XT, you should only buy it if you get it at a very good offer for 350 – 400 euros. Prices were at this level in mid-2020. Another interesting alternative will soon be the RTX 3060. The RTX 3060 Ti currently costs 800 euros and more (via Geizhals.de), in this case it makes more sense to look at the RTX 3070, whose price currently (as of February 5, 2021) is at a similar level.

What you should note: The next generation is expected to be released in spring 2021 with the 6700 (XT), which should be significantly more powerful and efficient. With a possible release of the RX 6700 (XT), AMD is likely to also stop production of the old generation. With the RX 6800 XT and RX 6900 XT, there are already two high-performance AMD alternatives available, but they are currently hardly available.

With the GeForce RTX 3060 announced at CES 2021, there will also soon be another graphics card targeted at the mid-range that could compete with a possible RX 6700 (XT):

More on the topic

GeForce RTX 3060: Who is Nvidia’s new mid-range interesting for?

von Benedikt Schlotmann

RTX 3080, RX 6800 (XT): Be patient when buying graphics cards

For hardware, one tip is particularly important right now: Be patient and take your time to monitor the market. Currently (as of February 3, 2021), prices are significantly above the recommended retail price and this is true for both old and new graphics cards.

Tip for the patient: If you are patient, you can occasionally find good offers. One tip from us is the availability ticker at HardwareLuxx.de. This lists shops where you can currently get an RTX graphics card. This way, you get the GPU cheaper than if you buy the cards from scalpers on eBay.

Impatient buyers may generally resort to last-gen hardware, but the high markup for graphics cards from the last generation can hardly be justified at the moment (as of February 5, 2021). Also because the modern cards offer significantly more performance than the old cards for a theoretically lower price.

When will availability improve again? Currently, it does not look like the graphics card market will improve in the coming months. There are several reasons for this:

• On one hand, availability is severely restricted due to the Corona pandemic, and less is being produced.
• On the other hand, crypto mining is becoming attractive for many users again. Graphics cards are also needed for this.

I want to buy an RTX 3080, but I have no patience

The reasons for needing new hardware quickly can vary. The old hardware is broken or causing other problems are two reasons for that.

If you urgently need current gaming hardware, you currently have two alternatives if you are not willing to pay the high prices for graphics cards or fallback on old products.

The used market occasionally offers bargains

On the used market, you can find last-gen graphics cards. Prices here are often lower than new purchases in the shop. Those who keep an eye out can find very good deals here. However, it does take some time to get an overview of the market.

Pre-built PCs with RTX 3000 graphics card

The most expensive alternative is to buy a gaming PC with the RTX 3000 series installed.

The advantage is: The advantage is that computer manufacturers are supplied significantly better and are prioritized higher than individuals who only seek a graphics card. Hardware manufacturers often install graphics cards in their own complete PCs first.

When does the purchase not pay off? Buying a pre-built PC can be worthwhile especially if you are considering upgrading your PC significantly. However, if you already have a modern system, buying new hardware is hardly worth it.

Gaming PCs like the Predator Orion 3000 currently cost €1,549.00 on Amazon and provide you with a current Intel processor and 16 GB of RAM includes a GeForce RTX 3070.

*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!

Gaming laptops with RTX 3000 graphics card

The current status: At CES 2021, gaming laptops with RTX graphics cards were introduced.

How fast is the mobile variant of the RTX 3000? In general, you should note that the mobile variants of the RTX 3000 are weaker than the desktop graphics cards. According to Notebookcheck.com, the performance of the mobile GPU is below that of the standard RTX 3000, but it still offers sufficient performance for 4K resolution and frame rates over 100 FPS.

Also, ComputerBase.de states in its test that gaming notebooks have never been faster. However, Nvidia makes it difficult for interested parties, as the graphics cards have very different names. This makes buying a notebook trickier than in 2020.

First notebooks with RTX 3000 already available: Since the end of January 2021, the first RTX 3000 laptops have been available in stores. Prices here start at just over 1,000 euros for models with a GeForce RTX 3060. Gaming laptops thus offer a significantly better price-performance ratio than in 2020.

*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!

Gaming notebooks that focus on the RTX 3000 graphics card include the Blade notebooks from Razer. Depending on the model, prices range from €1,799.99 to €3,599.99.

In our article, we present to you what the new Razer laptops can do and for whom they are worthwhile:

Razer Blade: New gaming laptop announced and yes, the new graphics card is included