Avoid ATI/AMD at all costs

[envy me]

Purchased an x1900xtx few years ago and since then it has always been running very hot. Since few months ago playing WoW in max settings at 1920x1080 temperatures have reached upwards of 110 degrees celcius (at which point the pc would freeze)

I have been in touch with ATI (now AMD) regarding the issue, and have gotten the worst support I've ever had to deal with from any hardware manufacturer.

I paid about $700 when the card came out as it was the top of the line card at one point, and the CSR dealing with my case refused to offer any assistance stating that the warranty period had expired (even though that particular card was said to have 3 year instead of 1 year)

So after running through hoops for this guy getting nowhere he had asked me if I took off the heatsink to clean it, I said no because I beleive this voided the warranty (he said it did). So not only did he recommend that I do something to void my warranty, but I ended getting no help.

Purchasing something this expensive and having to deal with such ignorance was it for me. I would much rather spend my money on a company such as EVGA which provides lifetime warranties and no hassles.

In the end I ended up purchasing an aftermarket cooler S1 Accelero I think its called with the fan attachment and my temperatures are now in the high 40's instead of 100+.


Be cautious when purchasing expensive video cards, it might be a better idea to get a card which is not currently top of the line but has a lifetime warranty than crap that can't be returned.


I learned my lesson and will never purchase or endorse any peice of ATI/AMD hardware.

 

[Bradtechonline]

I don't think it's AMD or ATI directly. What OEM did you buy it from? HIS, Sapphire etc??

I've never cared a great deal for ATI cards or the companies that sell them. I always liked AMD CPU's though.

 

[Quiksilver]

Soo... lemme get this straight, you had a card that was running super hot and never bothered to get an RMA or have it fixed way back then and your just now making a fuss about it because its starting to cause problems for you? You also refused to try and clean and re-apply thermal grease to the card because your were worried your expired warranty would be void? On top of all this most ATI vendors are either 1 year or 2 years; their never was a 3 year warranty(to my knowledge), of course the best warranty now it through visiontek with the lifetime warranty. ugh... this thread makes my head hurt.

 

[Keysplayr]

Their first priority (tech support that is) is to try to get (trick) you to confess that you voided your warranty. This way, they don't have to do anything further for you. "Oh I'm sorry, but that voids your warranty. There is nothing we can do for you."

Get it?

 

[envy me]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Soo... lemme get this straight, you had a card that was running super hot and never bothered to get an RMA or have it fixed way back then and your just now making a fuss about it because its starting to cause problems for you? You also refused to try and clean and re-apply thermal grease to the card because your were worried your expired warranty would be void? On top of all this most ATI vendors are either 1 year or 2 years; their never was a 3 year warranty(to my knowledge), of course the best warranty now it through visiontek with the lifetime warranty. ugh... this thread makes my head hurt.

1. I had a card that was running hotter than average, and recently began running superhot.

2. I refused to clean it because it would void a warranty in which the website said I was still eligible for.

I'm just trying to express my complete dissastisfaction with my purchase in hopes that someone else doesn't make the mistake I made in purchasing a high end video card with a shitty warranty that will not get honored.

To Bradtechonline, this was directly an ATI, it wasn't Sapphire.

 

[apoppin]

You paid $700 for it

:Q

he had asked me if I took off the heatsink to clean it

standard procedure

the CSR dealing with my case refused to offer any assistance stating that the warranty period had expired (even though that particular card was said to have 3 year instead of 1 year)

Was "said to have"? Where? by whom?


Is it 1 year or is it 3 years - which one?
... if it is 3 years then you will have your RMA.

What is on your box, receipt, or their web site about the warranty?
... and if it is in fact ONE year, you are 100% at fault and the CSR is quite right ... NO company gives you a warranty after it expires
...i'd recommend you buy a nvidia product ... we'll probably hear you b!tch about it in a few years ... "no more nvidia"
--better hope intel has a GPU by then
:roll:

Be cautious when purchasing expensive video cards, it might be a better idea to get a card which is not currently top of the line but has a lifetime warranty than crap that can't be returned.

It MEANS do your research before you blow unnecessary dollars for anything. i usually buy VisionTek which has a lifetime warranty and if i get Sapphire, i know what to expect if it ever goes bad within a year [preferring to exchange it thru NewEgg for that year rather than deal with Sapphire's ripoff RMA scam and $15 for a "processing fee"]

it looks like you just got lucky this time with your HS although you can probably expect it to go out sooner than later ... learn a real lesson from this ... and it is not to avoid ATI/AMD at all costs

 

[lopri]

AMD and AMD partners' warranty is something that needs to be addressed, though. Every time I wanted to buy something from ATI's offerings, their warranty policies were something that I couldn't ignore. Especially when competition offers superior warranties. (EVGA, BFG, XFX come to mind) So I was very glad that VisionTek finally stepped up and started offering lifetime warranties for AMD GPUs. AMD should work harder with board partners so their customers have a better experience with their products. It is definitely a consideration for consumers when making a purchase decision, and it will only do good for AMD in the long run.

 

[Binky]

Maybe you should revise your post to say "Avoid Sapphire" and not avoid ATI. ATI made the chip, not the card and not the cooler. Your comments are really blaming the wrong company.

It's also a bit overboard to blame a card that is "several years" old when the cooler failed or just got weak.

:thumbsdown:

 

[Blacklash]

Someone on the ATi side needs to step up with a lifetime warranty that isn't voiding by end user overclocking and HSF replacement.

XFX and Evga are excellent for folks that like to do what I have noted on the nVidia side. In addition XFX has the double lifetime warranty, and Evga has StepUp.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: lopri
AMD and AMD partners' warranty is something that needs to be addressed, though. Every time I wanted to buy something from ATI's offerings, their warranty policies were something that I couldn't ignore. Especially when competition offers superior warranties. (EVGA, BFG, XFX come to mind) So I was very glad that VisionTek finally stepped up and started offering lifetime warranties for AMD GPUs. AMD should work harder with board partners so their customers have a better experience with their products. It is definitely a consideration for consumers when making a purchase decision, and it will only do good for AMD in the long run.

Warranties cost money ... lifetime warranties cost the most

i'd rather get a cheaper card - one i can exchange thru NewEgg - and just sell it after a year. Did you notice that AMD's partners generally charge less for 'equivalent' GPU's than nvidia's partners? You can often buy an "extended warranty" if you think you will be keeping your card for a long time

=========

Originally posted by: Blacklash
Someone on the ATi side needs to step up with a lifetime warranty that isn't voiding by end user overclocking and HSF replacement.

XFX and Evga are excellent for folks that like to do what I have noted on the nVidia side. In addition XFX has the double lifetime warranty, and Evga has StepUp.

someone has ... VisionTek
:heart:

'Step up' is an EVGA "ripoff" ... it "works" mostly for them

... and buy the cheapest Brand from NewEgg ... 1 year EXCHANGE .. then sell it

 

[Syntax Error]

This thread fails.

:thumbsdown:

 

[bryanW1995]

so we've seen "nvidia sucks" and "ati/amd sucks" threads tonight. Whom to believe? Maybe voodoo will come out with the new voodoo 7000 next week to give us an alternative...

 

[Avalon]

I'll still be buying ATI/AMD provided they offer the best product in my price range, thanks.

 

[NinjaJedi]

Originally posted by: envy me

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Soo... lemme get this straight, you had a card that was running super hot and never bothered to get an RMA or have it fixed way back then and your just now making a fuss about it because its starting to cause problems for you? You also refused to try and clean and re-apply thermal grease to the card because your were worried your expired warranty would be void? On top of all this most ATI vendors are either 1 year or 2 years; their never was a 3 year warranty(to my knowledge), of course the best warranty now it through visiontek with the lifetime warranty. ugh... this thread makes my head hurt.

1. I had a card that was running hotter than average, and recently began running superhot.

2. I refused to clean it because it would void a warranty in which the website said I was still eligible for.

I'm just trying to express my complete dissastisfaction with my purchase in hopes that someone else doesn't make the mistake I made in purchasing a high end video card with a shitty warranty that will not get honored.

To Bradtechonline, this was directly an ATI, it wasn't Sapphire.

To answer #1 the first part you said was your first clue something was wrong and you should have called them right then and asked for an RMA. Waiting until the problem compounds itself was not a bright idea.

Now to the part it took me about 2 minutes to figure out. The x1900xtx card was released after August 31, 2005 (actually January 24, 2006) and all products with a release date after that carry a 1 year warranty. Go to the link I provided and then click "get warranty service" (under graphics support) select "I need help getting warranty service for my product" and click next. Its right there in bold.

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Suppo...0,,15218_15219,00.html

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: NinjaJedi

Originally posted by: envy me

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Soo... lemme get this straight, you had a card that was running super hot and never bothered to get an RMA or have it fixed way back then and your just now making a fuss about it because its starting to cause problems for you? You also refused to try and clean and re-apply thermal grease to the card because your were worried your expired warranty would be void? On top of all this most ATI vendors are either 1 year or 2 years; their never was a 3 year warranty(to my knowledge), of course the best warranty now it through visiontek with the lifetime warranty. ugh... this thread makes my head hurt.

1. I had a card that was running hotter than average, and recently began running superhot.

2. I refused to clean it because it would void a warranty in which the website said I was still eligible for.

I'm just trying to express my complete dissastisfaction with my purchase in hopes that someone else doesn't make the mistake I made in purchasing a high end video card with a shitty warranty that will not get honored.

To Bradtechonline, this was directly an ATI, it wasn't Sapphire.

To answer #1 the first part you said was your first clue something was wrong and you should have called them right then and asked for an RMA. Waiting until the problem compounds itself was not a bright idea.

Now to the part it took me about 2 minutes to figure out. The x1900xtx card was released after August 31, 2005 (actually January 24, 2006) and all products with a release date after that carry a 1 year warranty. Go to the link I provided and then click "get warranty service" (under graphics support) select "I need help getting warranty service for my product" and click next. Its right there in bold.

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Suppo...0,,15218_15219,00.html

i think he should have done this simple research BEFORE he overpaid $700 for a x1900xtx

-or maybe you think he would have checked the website he bought it from ... or even looked at the box before he tore it open
:roll:

now that is a REAL testimonial and a great reason to "avoid AMD"
... they don't honor warranties after they *expire*
:laugh:

 

[Blacklash]

Not according to VisionTek,

They told me overclocking a card would void their lifetime warranty as would replacing the HSF. XFX and Evga allow you to do both. XFX allows you to transfer your lifetime warranty to another. I find that more useful than StepUp because I resell my cards when I get bored with them. Being able to offer an intact lifetime warranty to my buyer builds value.

If you doubt me, ask VisionTek yourself-

http://www.visiontek.com/corporate/contact.html

Originally posted by: apoppin

someone has ... VisionTek
:heart:

'Step up' is an EVGA "ripoff" ... it "works" mostly for them

... and buy the cheapest Brand from NewEgg ... 1 year EXCHANGE .. then sell it

 

[apoppin]

*you* ask them ... i am already quite sure

they are no longer as strict as before and when i "unlock" CCC's built-in OC'ing utility, Overdrive - there is nothing about voiding any warranty ... i believe they changed their policies on O/C'ing with 2900 series .. maybe before

here ... for you ... find Overclocking :

http://www.visiontek.com/teksu.../limited_warranty.html

Products Covered:


ATI Based Retail Packaged ?VisionTek? or ?VisionTek Xtasy? Brand 3D Graphics Accelerators except those covered under other VisionTek Warranty Policies

VisionTek Products LLC, (?VisionTek?) is pleased to warrant to the original purchaser (?Warrantee?) of the graphics card (?Product?), that the product will be free from manufacturing defects in material or workmanship for the lifetime of ownership of the product when given normal and proper usage. The provisions of this warranty shall not apply if, in VisionTek's sole judgment, the product has been subjected to incidental damage including but not limited to the following:

* Damaged while being installed
* Damaged by software or hardware by someone other than VisionTek or by motherboard incompatibility/design
* Damaged by tampering, user error, disaster, misuse, neglect, abuse, power supply, power application, alteration, repair, modification, a fix or replacement by an unauthorized technician that in any way affects its performance or reliability.

VisionTek?s liability under this warranty, or in connection with any other claim relating to the Product, is limited to the repair or replacement, at VisionTek?s option, of the product or portion of the product which is defective in manufacturing material or workmanship. Warrantee assumes all risk of loss in transit. The returned products shall be the sole property of VisionTek. VisionTek warrants the repaired or replaced Products will be free from manufacturing defects in material or workmanship for the remainder of the warranty period.

VisionTek reserves the right to impose a reasonable charge for the repair of products returned with defects resulting from any of the above causes and for returns where the product is found to be in good working condition.

VisionTek reserves the right to replace any defective VisionTek product with an equivalent or superior product at VisionTek?s sole discretion. Such replacement product may be a remanufactured product or manufactured using remanufactured components at VisionTek?s option. The repaired or replaced product will be covered by the same warranty as the original product.

To receive warranty service, contact VisionTek?s Technical Support department. Before returning any product for service, you must have first communicated with one of our service representatives. The service representative will issue a Return Material Authorization (RMA) request and additional instructions for receiving the RMA number. No VisionTek product will be accepted for warranty service without valid proof of purchase and an RMA number. Your sales receipt or invoice from a retail store is your proof of purchase. The warrantee shall pay the cost of returning the defective product to and from VisionTek?s service center.

No other warranties are expressed or implied, including but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall VisionTek be liable for any consequential or incidental damages resulting from the use or installation of any VisionTek product, or the breach of any express or implied warranties. VisionTek?s liability to any warrantee with respect to any claim or loss arising out of this transaction or alleged to have resulted from an act or omission of VisionTek shall be limited to warrantee?s cost of the VisionTek product.

Some states do not allow the exclusion of consequential or incidental damages, so the above exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty provides you with specific legal rights. You may have other rights, which vary, from state to state.

VisionTek reserves the right to inspect and verify the defectiveness of any products or portion of product returned. This warranty does not apply to any software component.

EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED ABOVE, VISIONTEK MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WHETHER OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, OR OTHERWISE ON THE PRODUCTS, OR ANY PARTS OR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OR OTHER LABOR FURNISHED.

VisionTek reserves the right to change the terms of this warranty without notice.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
so we've seen "nvidia sucks" and "ati/amd sucks" threads tonight. Whom to believe? Maybe voodoo will come out with the new voodoo 7000 next week to give us an alternative...

Let's flip a coin and see who sucks, or I hear S3 have a new GPU in the works...

 

[IlllI]

your first mistake was paying 700 dollars for that lol

 

[reots]

Originally posted by: clandren
your first mistake was paying 700 dollars for that lol

The second mistake was bein a cheapskate with the case he put it in

 

[LOUISSSSS]

this thread is so stupid lol

first of all you're not supposed to contact ATI if they aren't the maker of your card. if they're not, you need to contact the cardmaker, not the GPU maker. you're complaining about someone not helping you because you called the wrong person and a person that does not care what u do with your card. (this also goes for nvidia.) if i were to call nvidia saying my 8800gt they'd tell me to contact my card maker, which is BFG. then BFG will either tell me to send it in for warranty or if it is not in warranty anymore they will tell me to take off the heatsink and reapply thermal paste and reattach the heatsink.

and you're dumb if u paid $700 haha.


ANYWAY. if your warranty is over, do what i said and reattach the heatsink or get a new better one. if its under warranty contact ur cardmaker, don't bother ATi with your problems

 

[ronnn]

I agree don't buy high end. That way the agony is less when it is time to upgrade. A used x1900xt must be worth next to nothing these days.

 

[Blacklash]

Originally posted by: apoppin
*you* ask them ... i am already quite sure

I did.

Here's a cap from my personal mail files. I got back a reply from VisionTek support Feb 11 of this year-

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6741/vtquestad3.jpg


As of Feb 11 of this year they still do not officially support end user overclocking. I didn't ask them about end users replacing their HSF and could if you like.

 

[lopri]

A company voiding warranty for overclocking is perfectly reasonable and expected. You cannot fault that.

 

[Blacklash]

I'll stick with XFX. Right now I get better performance with nVidia products, better AF, end user overclocking support, and support of removing my HSF without voiding my warranty. As I said before, I like the double lifetime warranty too because I resell my cards and being able to give your buyer an intact lifetime warranty builds value, aka you can ask for more cash.