ATI Chipmaker warranties

tailes151

Senior member
Mar 3, 2006
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I'm looking to buy an HD4850 here really soon, but with all the bad experience I've had with my video cards dying (and with me never overclocking anything) I need one with a lifetime warranty. The last card I owned was a PNY 6800gt, and it died on me 3 times, twice during the warranty period and then once more right after it ended.

Does anyone know the different warranties for the various chipmakers and have you had any experiences with their RMA process?

The only one I know for sure who has a lifetime warranty is visiontek, but apparently their customer service and RMA process sucks.

Thanks
 

Aberforth

Golden Member
Oct 12, 2006
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Products backed with lifetime and afterlife :) warranties don't usually die. In fact RMA process tell us that the product is unreliable, companies like XFX, MSI have worldwide acceptable warranties.
 

tailes151

Senior member
Mar 3, 2006
867
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Originally posted by: Aberforth
Products backed with lifetime and afterlife :) warranties don't usually die. In fact RMA process tell us that the product is unreliable, companies like XFX, MSI have worldwide acceptable warranties.

I'm not sure I understand you here.

Also, I just noticed that I could get a 9800gtx for around $180 or a gtx+ for $20 more, both with lifetime warranties. Is there any reason for me not to get one of these over the 4850? I game on a 22" usually at 1680x1050, don't usually turn AA or AF and if I do not very high.
 

Aberforth

Golden Member
Oct 12, 2006
1,707
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Originally posted by: tailes151
Originally posted by: Aberforth
Products backed with lifetime and afterlife :) warranties don't usually die. In fact RMA process tell us that the product is unreliable, companies like XFX, MSI have worldwide acceptable warranties.

I'm not sure I understand you here.

Also, I just noticed that I could get a 9800gtx for around $180 or a gtx+ for $20 more, both with lifetime warranties. Is there any reason for me not to get one of these over the 4850? I game on a 22" usually at 1680x1050, don't usually turn AA or AF and if I do not very high.

You can get either one of those, I'd go for 4850 as it is more future proof compared to GTX+
 

tailes151

Senior member
Mar 3, 2006
867
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Does anyone know the warranty PowerColor offers? Google brought up an old thread on some forum saying lifetime, but I couldn't find it on the manufacturers webiste.
 

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,726
45
91
i am currently getting all kinds of b.s. from asus for a 35day old 3850. making me jump through all types of hoops just to get an rma. i always had a high respect for asus, but the last couple hours on hold and the b.s. i have been getting like it is because you don't have a asus m/b too is really leaving a lot to be desired.

i am going to try to give newegg call tomorrow and see if they can help me out and maybe switch to a 8800gt or something similiar, hell i will even take a hit on this piece of sh!t 3850 i have.

i have used many sapphire boards and although they don't get much respect, i have never had to rma one, i am actually pissed at myself for replacing a sapphire 2yr old x1800xt for this current problem.

again, i have numerous asus products too, but i won't be buying more, and no, it has not been 1 isolated call and 1 isolated person.
 

Creig

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,170
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81
If you're looking for an ATI card with a lifetime warranty, purchase a Visiontek. They have a "for as long as you own the card" warranty, not one of the cheap "lifetime of the product cycle" gimmicks.
 

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
21,211
50
91
Originally posted by: tailes151
Originally posted by: Aberforth
Products backed with lifetime and afterlife :) warranties don't usually die. In fact RMA process tell us that the product is unreliable, companies like XFX, MSI have worldwide acceptable warranties.

I'm not sure I understand you here.

Also, I just noticed that I could get a 9800gtx for around $180 or a gtx+ for $20 more, both with lifetime warranties. Is there any reason for me not to get one of these over the 4850? I game on a 22" usually at 1680x1050, don't usually turn AA or AF and if I do not very high.

9800GTX and GTX+ are comparable in performance with the HD4850. Either would do fine on your 22" monitor at 1680x1050. But if warranty is your biggest concern here, I would mostly look into eVGA, BFG, XFX to be the manufacturer you purchase from. All three have lifetime warranties and pretty good customer service. In my experiences anyway (eVGA,BFG).
 

tailes151

Senior member
Mar 3, 2006
867
9
81
Thanks guys, I ended up splurging and getting an evga gtx 260. I think it'll do me just fine.