BFG, Evga, XFX

[DasFox]

I consider BFG, Evga & XFX the top 3 Nvidia card sellers on the market.

With their lifetime warranties, and what seems like pretty decent support, is there really anyone else that competes at the same level, with the same warranty?

How do these 3 stack up for you, and why?

If there is another great company we should also be looking at, who are they?

ALOHA

 

[nitromullet]

I've been pleased with both BFG and EVGA. From what I've heard, XFX is a bit lacking in the customer service area. I usually end up with EVGA because they tend to be a bit cheaper then BFG, and I've always had a good experience with their customer service.

 

[nyker96]

XFX > EVGA > BFG is how I see them.

 

[Synomenon]

My recent RMA experience with EVGA puts them on top for me. They even have forums on their site where people that work for EVGA assist customers. I don't think XFX or BFG even have forums for their customers.

 

[videopho]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
My recent RMA experience with EVGA puts them on top for me. They even have forums on their site where people that work for EVGA assist customers. I don't think XFX or BFG even have forums for their customers.

If you're overclockers then eVGA is a no brainer.

 

[Noema]

I like eVGA because they have the least ridiculous box art.

 

[Bradtechonline]

I've had good experiences with BFG, and EVGA both. I had one XFX 6600 GT card that I had to RMA back to newegg for a refund.
Only glitch I've had was with EVGA. They sent me a letter saying I didn't send the right information in to get my mail in rebate (which I did). Then the next day I got the rebate check, and I had not even contacted them about it yet. Friend of mine had a bad rebate experience with BFG where he bought the card a day before the newegg MIR ended. They claimed he bought it after. Said he didn't care to have to fight them over 20 bucks. I'd go with EVGA, and save a couple bucks vs BFG. They also have a step up plan.

 

[Deinonych]

I've always been completely satisfied with EVGA. Plus, they offer a step-up program which is a nice bonus.

 

[Deinonych]

[edit] double-post

 

[Sqube]

I've had nothing but great times with BFG.

I've also heard overwhelmingly positive stuff about eVGA, and something of a mixed bag for XFX (although definitely tending towards good). So I guess I'd say BFG > eVGA > XFX for me.

 

[bfdd]

I currently have a BFG 8800 GTX(refrence) and it's pretty nice but then again it was the only one I could find searching like 5 different stores! It overclocks nicely to 640mhz at the GPU and the ram is at 2080mhz. I like it, never had any problems. Also the temps with the stock cooler are 55C at these speeds.

 

[DasFox]

Originally posted by: Noema
I like eVGA because they have the least ridiculous box art.

LOL, now this is what I call an interesting reason.

Originally posted by: Deinonych
I've always been completely satisfied with EVGA. Plus, they offer a step-up program which is a nice bonus.

I wish the stepup program was a little longer then 90 days, I mean sheesh getting a new card after only 3 months, LOL.

Talk about you didn't know what you were buying, made a mistake, or bought it when new versions came out and realized that you wanted something else, otherwise 90 days, give me a break WAY to SMALL a time frame.

At least this is my thoughts....

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi
My recent RMA experience with EVGA puts them on top for me. They even have forums on their site where people that work for EVGA assist customers. I don't think XFX or BFG even have forums for their customers.

My RMA is suppose to come back tomorrow, I have mixed views of EVGA right now. I drove over to them at 1st when the card had issues and well the guy I spoke to was really cool but when it came time to return my phone calls he never did. I handled it all my mail tho which is slower but they have been good about doing it that way.

 

[Synomenon]

Yeah, they're pretty good when you call them and send emails, but they don't seem to call back even when they say they're going to. That's not unique to them though. I've never received calls back from any company I've dealt with, when they say they're going to call me back. I was mistaken earlier as well. It looks like BFG does have forums on its site for customers.

I haven't really seen anything good written about XFX's support. From what I've read, XFX takes forever to process RMAs and you pretty much have to deal with them through email instead of over the phone.

 

[Yikes2000]

XFX Support Forum is here... http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=54

 

[DasFox]

You kidding I've had Joe Darwin the Marketing Manager call me two times on the phone. Joe is really great.

I've also had calls from Gene, the Customer Service Manager, and Alex the RMA manager, or supervisor, I forgot which title he is.

These guys do call, but then again they make mistakes like anyone else, I mean who doesn't, but so far Evga has been tops for me.

ALOHA

 

[DasFox]

Originally posted by: Yikes2000
XFX Support Forum is here... http://www.bjorn3d.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=54

That isn't an official XFX forum run by XFX otherwise it would be on their own site at xfxforce.com

bjorn3d.com is a hardware site like AnandTech.

 

[SergeC]

All good, but I'd give eVGA the slight edge.

 

[f4phantom2500]

of course, it depends on what card you're buying. sometimes a card may be unlockable from one manufacturer (they may use a higher end core and disable stuff in bios, whereas the other manufacturers use the regular core that's hard locked) but not another, so take that into consideration too. assuming that wasn't the case though, i'd probably go xfx for their double lifetime warranty, then evga, then bfg.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

My card came back today I dont even think they tested the card since it arrived at Evga yesterday and got delivered to me today. Its good to see them just send me a card without arguing and trying to say nothing was wrong with it. I would still buy from them for sure.

 

[Captante]

(1) EVGA provides a lifetime warranty as long as you register your card withing 30 days of purchase, has very good customer service, overclocking & swapping out the factory heatsink/fan are all covered under the warranty, plus they tend to offer aggressive pricing so I'll give them the slight edge for number one.

(2) XFX used to be third on my list, but recently they amended their Lifetime warranty (registration within 30 days still required) to cover overclocking & replacement of the factory heatsink/fan to better compete with EVGA, so despite the worst customer service of the 3 choices here by a small margin I'll give them second place.

(3) BFG has a lifetime warranty (no registration required) as well, but overclocking or replacing the factory heatsink/fan will void it. They also have the best customer service of these three companies, but not allowing modifications drops them to 3rd place in my opinion.

Bottom line is cards made by any of these companies are solid choices.

 

[gramboh]

XFX took down their official forums during (I think) the 7900GT debacle (that affected all manufacturers). eVGA left theirs up and answers almost EVERY post even when posters are rude and unreasonable. Therefore, I will always buy eVGA.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Never had any trouble out of my old XFX 6800GT, PCB felt cheesy, but what doesn't nowadays?

 

[Pens1566]

EVGA.

 

[2Dead]

Originally posted by: Captante
....

(2) XFX used to be third on my list, but recently they amended their Lifetime warranty (registration within 30 days still required) to cover overclocking & replacement of the factory heatsink/fan to better compete with EVGA, so despite the worst customer service of the 3 choices here by a small margin I'll give them second place.

...

Where did you see that? In Dec '05 I rma'd my xfx 7800gt without any problems, took like 2 weeks or so before I received my replacement. I've been happy with it but immediately swapped out the stock heatsink (too noisy) and overclocked the card. It would be nice if it was still under warranty.