Nowadays, getting graphics cards are pretty difficult, and now graphics card merchants have come up with a new scam. These merchants have posed as AMD and XFX to issue a fake recall in order to get owners of the Radeon RX 580 to return them for the GeForce equivalent. The GeForce equivalent is equally powerful in gaming but does not offer nearly as good mining performance which is reflecting in the resale value.
Chinese Graphics Cards Dealers Want To Buy Users AMD Radeon RX 580s At A Low Price To Sell To Miners
These Chinese dealers used a fake letter that looked as if it had come from AMD and XFX to get users to return their cards because of instability issues that arose from a manufacturing defect. These issues don't exist and most informed people know that the Radeon RX 580 was discontinued some time ago, but the casual customer may not know that. These dealers are exchanging the AMD Radeon RX 580 4GB and Radeon RX 580 8GB with a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti and GeForce GTX 1060 3GB, respectively. The recall also went as far as to offer double the street value of the card if the victim didn't want to exchange it for a GeForce equivalent.
For someone who does fall victim to this, the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB isn't a bad card for gaming and stacks up well compared to the AMD RX 580. The major difference between the two cards is that the RX 580 is much better at mining cryptocurrencies and the vendors know that. The RX 580 has managed to rise in value with cards selling around $500 while the GTX 1060 3GB has stagnated in value at $225. The RX 580 can make you upwards of $3 per day in Ethereum mining while the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB can make around $1.20 per day. These vendors want to buy or trade these cards back to sell them to miners at a much higher price point.
As spotted by Expreview, both AMD and XFX have come and made statements saying that these recalls are completely fake and should be ignored. AMD has said it will take legal action against these merchants for spreading misinformation and illegally using AMD's branding.
As an enthusiast with extensive knowledge in the realm of graphics cards, it's disheartening to witness the emergence of unscrupulous practices within the market. The current scarcity of graphics cards has led to opportunistic individuals taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers through a deceitful scheme involving fake recalls and fraudulent activities.
The Radeon RX 580, a card known for its gaming prowess and significant mining capabilities, has become the focal point of a disturbing scam orchestrated by purported Chinese graphics card dealers. These individuals, posing as representatives of AMD and XFX, have fabricated a recall under the guise of instability issues arising from a non-existent manufacturing defect. This orchestrated ploy targets owners of the Radeon RX 580, persuading them to return their cards for a purported GeForce equivalent.
The deception doesn't end there. The scammers employ a fake letter resembling official communication from AMD and XFX to lend credibility to their scheme. Their goal is to exploit the casual consumer's lack of awareness regarding the Radeon RX 580's discontinued status, coaxing them into exchanging their cards for a GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or a GeForce GTX 1060 3GB. To add a further layer of manipulation, the scammers offer double the street value of the card to those who may be hesitant to swap for the purported equivalent.
This fraudulent recall has prompted responses from both AMD and XFX, with both companies vehemently denouncing the scam. They have issued statements clarifying that the recalls are entirely fabricated, going so far as to threaten legal action against the merchants responsible for spreading misinformation and illicitly using their branding.
For those unfortunate enough to fall victim to this deceptive ploy, the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offered in exchange is not a subpar card for gaming. In fact, it stands up well against the AMD RX 580 in gaming performance. However, the crucial disparity lies in cryptocurrency mining capabilities, where the RX 580 outshines the GTX 1060 3GB. Vendors behind this scam are well aware of this discrepancy, exploiting it to their advantage. The RX 580's increased value, particularly in cryptocurrency mining, has led to cards selling for around $500, whereas the GTX 1060 3GB has stagnated at $225.
This situation serves as a stark reminder for consumers to remain vigilant and informed. Authentic communication from manufacturers, coupled with an awareness of the market dynamics, can help thwart such scams. As the graphics card landscape continues to be fraught with challenges, it becomes imperative for users to stay informed, exercise caution, and be aware of potential pitfalls in the pursuit of these coveted components.
