How to Spot a Fake or Used GPU Being Sold as New in Uganda

Checks you can do before handing over money

• Ask to see it running under load, not just powered on. Use a free tool like FurMark or simply run a game for 10-15 minutes and check the temperatures reported in software like MSI Afterburner or HWiNFO -- suspiciously high temps at low load are a red flag.
• Check the serial number against the manufacturer's site where possible -- some brands (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte) let you verify warranty status online, which also reveals if the card has already been registered by a previous owner.
• Look at the fans and heatsink for dust and wear -- a "new" card with dusty fan blades or scuffed screws has clearly been used.
• Check GPU-Z (free software) -- it reports the actual chip, memory type and BIOS version, which can catch cards that have been rebranded or have mismatched specs from what's advertised.

Signs of mining wear specifically

Cards previously used for cryptocurrency mining ran at high, sustained load for months or years. Thermal paste that's dried out, unusually worn fan bearings (listen for grinding or rattling), and inconsistent performance under load are all warning signs -- even if the card looks physically clean.

Price is a signal too

If a "new" card is priced meaningfully below what every other Kampala seller is charging for the same model, treat that as a reason to ask more questions, not less.

Where we stand on this

Every GPU we sell is tested under load before it goes out, and we're transparent about condition. If you've bought elsewhere and want a second opinion on a card you already have, bring it in and we'll test it for you.