ATi...Talk about service

[Tweakin]

My 9600XT just died due to a cracked core. I can only assume that there was excessive pressure from the Artic Cooler as this was installed just 2 weeks ago, and I have been having intermittent problems since then after playing games for extended periods of time.

Live and learn.

 

[PrayForDeath]

Ouch!
Why would you need an arctic cooler for a 9600XT? I think it's not worth it.

 

[Randolphjo]

I had a problem with my 9700 Pro after installing an Arctic Cooler. I pulled the working 9700 Pro from my old system, installed the Arctic Cooler and inserted it into my new rig. I couldn't get an image no matter what I tried. I kept getting beeps that indicated no video card was installed/or malfunctioning.

I ended up installing an old TNT 2 Ultra AGP card to get my new rig up and running. I got an RMA number from ATI and shipped the card off to them last week. It'll be interesting to hear what they find wrong with the card. Interesting that the card apparently died after the installation of the Arctic Cooler.

BTW, I've built several systems, used anti-static precautions and have a 380W Antec power supply in this rig. I have to suspect that installing the Arctic Cooler somehow damaged the 9700 Pro card. I'll post again after ATI examines the card.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Randolphjo, you're going to get flamed to hell and back for saying you RMA'ed a card after it broke because of you installing an aftermarket cooler on it.

 

[Randolphjo]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
Randolphjo, you're going to get flamed to hell and back for saying you RMA'ed a card after it broke because of you installing an aftermarket cooler on it.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that. When I had the problem with the card, I emailed ATI support and told them all about what I explained above (including that I had installed the Arctic cooler on it). They issued me an RMA and said to send the card to them. I removed the cooler, reinstalled the stock heatsink/fan and included a detailed description of what I did and mailed the card to them.

I wasn't trying to hide from ATI that I had installed the after market cooler. I don't really expect them to warranty the card, but they did issue an RMA, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

BTW, I ordered a PNY 6600GT AGP card already because I'm doubtful ATI will repair/replace my 9700 Pro.

Thanks again for the heads-up. I?ll break out my fire-retardant gear now.

 

[Tweakin]

That's the same road I'm going down...I'm waiting on a response from ATi. I have hid nothing from them and looking forward to seeing what they say.

But for now I have to figure out what new card to buy...was thinking about the leadtek 6600gt or the ATi 9800 Pro.

Not sure yet.

Forgot...the reason I went with the Artic Cooler was to keep the noise down...the stock fan was dying and really starting to squeel.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Well thats a whole nother thing then

Its good of you guys to do that. To be truthful, I think that ATi might be lenient towards something like the Arctic Cooling ones, as they're easy to install and are without a doubt better than what ATi puts on the cards. I think if people were more honest about what they've done with the card, that companies would have less of a problem RMA'ing them. There's so many that do stuff and then claim they never did anything.

:thumbsup: kudos to both of you for being honest.

 

[Randolphjo]

Just a follow-up on my ATI RMA. I just received an email from ATI that they have shipped me a replacement card! WOW! Great company, great products.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Thats very cool of them.

Kudos to both parties.

 

[Randolphjo]

Thank you.

Not only did they warranty my 9700 Pro, ATI replaced my card with a 9800 Pro - shipped overnight (card is now in hand). I'm speechless...

 

[DJQuanta]

Man....... ATI rocks!!!

And they would rock even more if they sent you a 9800 PRO with R360 core and Samsung 2.8ns chips.....so you can flash it to an XT :laugh:

BTW...... what are you doing now with the 6600gt you ordered ???......I could give great use to either one you decide to spare :evil:

 

[Patrick Wolf]

I'm really thinking about installing an Arctic Cooler on my X800, this thing gets DAMN LOUD! I've never done anything like it before, so I'm kinda scared to try.

 

[Randolphjo]

Originally posted by: DJQuanta
Man....... ATI rocks!!!

And they would rock even more if they sent you a 9800 PRO with R360 core and Samsung 2.8ns chips.....so you can flash it to an XT :laugh:

BTW...... what are you doing now with the 6600gt you ordered ???......I could give great use to either one you decide to spare :evil:

The card does have Samsung memory chips, but I'm not sure how to tell their speed. I looked up the memory part number on the Samsung website, and it appears these are the fast chips. Any way to tell for sure? I have read on other forums that some of the 9800 Pros come with the 360 core, but that the only way to tell for sure is to remove the heatsink/fan. I'm kind of reluctant to do that after my recent experience of installing the Arctic Cooler.

I currently have the 6600GT installed in my rig, and don't see the wisdom of replacing it with the 9800 Pro. I'm probably going to sell the 9800 Pro. I'm toying with the idea of selling both cards, and upgrading to an 800 series or 6800 series card. With the great service provided by ATI, loyalty is pulling me towards buying another of their products.

As far as the Arctic Cooler goes, I'm going to hold off on reinstalling it until I get more info on the problems some others and I have had. YMMV.

 

[Tweakin]

Originally posted by: Randolphjo
Thank you.

Not only did they warranty my 9700 Pro, ATI replaced my card with a 9800 Pro - shipped overnight (card is now in hand). I'm speechless...

I also got an RMA and shipped it off. As for a replacement, that would be sweet...and to get a 9800 pro, kudos to customer service. I just ordered an Evga 6600gt as I didn't expect them to do a thing, now if they do...I will have a big decision to make. I have always been an ATi guy, but the 6600GT really kicks A$$.

 

[DJQuanta]

If ATI sent you that card and the chips are Samsung brand I think they are for sure 2.8ns chips, anyway you can check them by the code because they have a long number and after that there's a dash "-" and a combination of letters and numbers. One of those numbers must be "2".

My 9800 PRO (arrives today but my sister sent me the code a couple of days ago) has samsung chips with the code "K4D263238E-GC2A" ...... the 2A means 2.8ns chips.

You can check the following link to check your memory chips:

What memory speed?

I do believe that since is a new card and is built by ATI it must have an R360 core, from what I've gather by reading other threads most newer ATI 9800 Pros comes with the R360 core, it's true that the only way to know for sure is to remove the HSF.

Anyway I think you should keep the 6600 GT, AFAIK is a superior card specially with recent games. Put the 9800 PRO up for auction on eBay, I got mine on ebay and paid $160 (used), most brand new ATI 9800 pro get sell for around $200. I would've get a 6600 GT, but since I'm outside the US the Newegg guys won't accept my local credit card ( and my sister who lives in the US didn't have enuff money right to spare on a vid card for her beloved brother :laugh: ), so I had to settle for anything I could get on eBay, and the 6600 GT are currently too expensive there (around $230 shipped).

Cheers

 

[Tweakin]

Just received notificaton that ATi is shiping me a new R360 chip overnight...Da#$ thing will be here tomorrow...Can you believe it, I told them the truth and they ship out a new card.

 

[CHiN0]

So what will I get if I send them a broken Radeon 7500?

 

[Tweakin]

A thank you letter.....?

 

[Tweakin]

Turns out it's a 9600xt. Not that I'm complaining, it's a great card. I just thought all the R360 chips were the 9800 pro's or xt's...my bad

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: Tweakin
Turns out it's a 9600xt. Not that I'm complaining, it's a great card. I just thought all the R360 chips were the 9800 pro's or xt's...my bad

R360 = 9800XT
RV360 = 9600XT

 

[dds14u]

Originally posted by: rbV5

Originally posted by: Tweakin
Turns out it's a 9600xt. Not that I'm complaining, it's a great card. I just thought all the R360 chips were the 9800 pro's or xt's...my bad

R360 = 9800XT
RV360 = 9600XT

Never realized that difference before.

 

[SickBeast]

From what I've heard from other forum members over the years (combined with my own experience), ATI tends to try to send you a slightly lower model when you RMA. A 9700NP instead of a Pro for example.

Their service is indeed excellent though. I tend to go with ATI for the following reasons:

-2D image quality
-consistent high build quality
-5 year warranty on retail cards, and I think 3 years on built-by ATI OEM cards

There's always price/performance, but 2D image quality is a huge concern for me. I find the research involved in finding an nVidia w/ good 2D output too time consuming. Even after the research is done, you have to find a store with availability.

 

[Spike]

This give me hope for my brothers 9600pro that has the broken capacitor. Hopefully they will repair/replace it. Either that or I have to help him buy a 6600GT (I am kinda the one who broke it...).

dunno about the IQ quality claim, I thought nVidia has greatly improved their IQ to where it about matches ATI's now? Either way my 6800GT looks as good as the 9600 pro, 8500, and old Radeon LE ever did.

-spike

 

[ZimZum]

Originally posted by: Spike
This give me hope for my brothers 9600pro that has the broken capacitor. Hopefully they will repair/replace it. Either that or I have to help him buy a 6600GT (I am kinda the one who broke it...).

dunno about the IQ quality claim, I thought nVidia has greatly improved their IQ to where it about matches ATI's now? Either way my 6800GT looks as good as the 9600 pro, 8500, and old Radeon LE ever did.

-spike

The majority of the IQ issues weren't the product of nVidias reference designs. But of the board makers using substandard components. Which is still somewhat of an issue, though not to the extent that it used to be.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: CHiN0
So what will I get if I send them a broken Radeon 7500?

Maybe a 9000 or 9200.