Thrift Store Find: $4.99 Radeon RX 5700 XT Highlights Secondary GPU Market Opportunities

A recent discovery at a Goodwill thrift store underscores an emerging trend in secondary hardware markets: a functional AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT graphics card sold for $4.99. This transaction occurred against a backdrop where new AI-accelerator demand has strained GPU supply chains, driving prices for current-generation gaming GPUs upward. The ASRock Phantom Gaming model acquired represents a notable value, considering identical units currently command $150-$200 on used marketplaces according to aggregate price tracking data.

The RX 5700 XT, launched in 2019 using TSMC's 7nm process node, features AMD's inaugural RDNA architecture with 2,560 stream processors and 8GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus. Originally positioned as a 1440p gaming solution with a $399 MSRP, its performance profile remains relevant today, delivering 60+ fps in modern titles at 1080p high settings. The thrift-store specimen exhibited prior modifications including replaced thermal interface materials with copper cooling blocks, requiring the new owner to salvage thermal pads from another GPU and reapply thermal paste before achieving stable operation.

This incident reflects a broader pattern in hardware redistribution channels. Thrift stores frequently receive functional but untested components donated by users unaware of residual value or lacking technical assessment capabilities. Recent examples include Nvidia RTX 3060 GPUs similarly priced under $5. With AI-centric compute demand redirecting wafer allocation toward datacenter products, mid-tier gaming GPUs face manufacturing constraints. This scarcity elevates prices for new inventory while creating secondary-market opportunities where undervalued hardware appears.

For budget-conscious builders, thrift stores represent high-risk/high-reward sourcing options. While untested components carry failure risks, this RX 5700 XT demonstrates how basic technical skills—thermal paste application, component testing—can transform perceived e-waste into viable hardware. As semiconductor supply chains prioritize AIB (AI accelerator) production through 2025, similar opportunities may persist in unconventional retail channels where older architectures retain substantial gaming utility at minimal cost.