Reddit user finds 12 RTX 3070 GPUs from abandoned mining rigs, likely still usable
A Reddit user discovered two old cryptocurrency mining rigs containing 12 Zotac RTX 3070 graphics cards, which had been stored in a basement for years. The cards show minor silicone bleeding from thermal pads but are likely salvageable with cleaning and new thermal paste, according to commenters.
The rigs came with supporting hardware including an MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Plus motherboard, a 1000W Rosewill power supply, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, and two 120GB SSDs. The RTX 3070, launched in 2020, features 5,888 CUDA cores and 8GB of GDDR6 memory, designed for strong 1440p gaming performance.
Mining operations typically ran these cards at reduced core voltages and power limits to lower temperatures and electricity costs, which may have reduced stress on the silicon compared to standard gaming use. The user plans to test each card individually, then sell most of the haul while keeping at least one for personal use.
This discovery could offer budget-conscious gamers and PC builders access to capable 1440p hardware at a time when newer GPU prices remain elevated. A successful refurbishment of these cards may also reinforce the idea that well-maintained mining hardware can serve as a viable secondhand option, potentially easing pressure on the used market. However, buyers should weigh the risks of degraded thermal pads and unknown operational history before purchasing such units.