If you're in the market for a second hand , pay attention to who you are buying it from. And where.
According to reports popping up on Chinese-language forums including and (Via ) some buyers are coughing up big money for Nvidia's best gaming card, only to receive it without a GPU or memory.
Scammers are gonna scam, but there's good reason to believe this particular one is linked with the . It's not a stretch to believe the AD102 GPUs of the cards in question have been removed and repurposed in order to meet some of the insatiable (and hence lucrative) demand for GPUs for AI and server applications.
A quick check over at Newegg shows the cheapest RTX 4090 is an . That makes the official RRP of $1,599 look like a bargain. And it's all down to demand for AI GPUs and the China ban. Simply put, Nvidia can make more money from L40 and RTX 6000-series cards than it can from RTX 4090s. With limited supply, prices go up.
But there's been a spike in demand too. The ban came about as a result of the US government not wanting China to get ahead in the AI arms race. You know, national security and all that. So, it's trying to restrict access to the tools China needs. Whether it's banning the chips and products themselves, or the to make them, demand for AI hardware in China is suddenly much greater than the available supply. It's [[link]] a one-two punch. A spike in demand combined with lower supply means prices go up.
: The top chips from Intel and AMD.
: The right boards.
: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.
: Get into the game ahead of the rest.
It looks like conditions are ripe for scumbag scammers. Why not take the GPU out of what is ostensibly a $1,599 graphics card and pop it into an L40 style PCB with a blower fan and make some serious money? It's easier said than done and it wouldn't be worth it for a few cards, but for a hundred thousand…
Of course, I'm [[link]] speculating heavily there, but I can't see why a small-time scammer would [[link]] go through the effort of removing a dead GPU when they could just send an intact dead card. It points to something bigger.
Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team.
And that's why these reports worry me. I'd expect there to be more victims of this particular scam out there. With this kind of activity happening, if you're in the market for an RTX 4090, you'd best pay extra attention to where you buy it from. If you spot a deal on a second
hand market that looks too good to be true—put simply—it probably is.
SpinQueen4957
I love the overall aesthetic of the platform. The animations, visual effects, and sound design make the gaming experience more dynamic and immersive. It's one of the reasons I keep coming back. I appreciate the themed slot games, especially those based on movies and TV shows. They make the gaming experience more engaging and immersive. The combination of storyline, visuals, and bonus features makes each game feel unique.
SpinQueen2596
I really enjoy playing the slot games here. The variety is amazing, from classic reels to modern video slots with interactive bonus rounds. Every spin feels like an adventure, and the graphics and sound effects are top-notch, making the experience immersive and exciting. Sometimes I wish there were more ways to earn rewards through loyalty programs or frequent player bonuses. Adding seasonal events or special challenges could enhance the excitement even further.
ReelFanatic1507
I appreciate the themed slot games, especially those based on movies and TV shows. They make the gaming experience more engaging and immersive. The combination of storyline, visuals, and bonus features makes each game feel unique. Customer support has been outstanding whenever I had any issues. They respond quickly and professionally, ensuring that any concerns with deposits, withdrawals, or gameplay are addressed immediately, which makes me trust the platform more.