Does it matter who makes the 58XX card

[ESQ]

I've noticed that there are different manufactures of video cards that will use the same chip. I'm thinking about the 5750, 5780, or 5830, etc. Does it matter which manufacturer I buy? I think I've seen some talk, maybe about other cards, where the manufacturers build-in overclocking and some don't or won't let the user overclock.

Also, warranties seem to vary in length.

Who should I stay away from?
Who should I look for?

 

[lsv]

XFX would be alright, the double lifetime warranty in case you decide to sell it. Just register it.

I'm not picky myself and went with an Asus... so I can't give you the best input

 

[solofly]

Where do you live...

PS
I love that phrase in your sig...

 

[soccerballtux]

Most of what you pay extra for is brand name and warranty. Manufacturing costs really are the same for all the cards within a given line (assuming they're all using the reference design).

 

[ESQ]

Where do you live...

PS
I love that phrase in your sig...

I live in Chicago IL but work in Los Angeles, CA, so I'm at both frequently.

 

[solofly]

I live in Chicago IL but work in Los Angeles, CA, so I'm at both frequently.

I ask that cause XFX's lifetime warranty doesn't cover all the continents but if you live in States then you have nothing to worry about...(I recommend XFX in that case, no ifs or buts)

 

[vanilla guerilla]

i used to think that all reference cards were the same, but i have been reading for a while that there are different levels, ie same design but cheaper or more expensive components. i have read this in a few threads regarding xfx nvidia boards, re that they were made from cheaper components.

 

[v8envy]

When ATI cited the higher cost of DDR5 being the reason to hike the 5850's MSRP there's been some speculation that all the 5xxx boards are all being made by the same manufacturer (Sapphire?).

Only the stickers, box and driver disk differ between the models. And, ofc, the price and warranty.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

As long as it doesn't break while you're using it, it won't really matter.

 

[zerocool84]

I went XFX for the double lifetime warranty for when I sell it.

 

[tweakboy]

Yes of course it matters. Some companies use red PCB which is cheap. Others use blue PCB which is pos. You need green PCB and a well known company like gigabyte or evga.

It does matter in the quality of the product... gl

 

[v8envy]

Yes of course it matters. Some companies use red PCB which is cheap. Others use blue PCB which is pos. You need green PCB and a well known company like gigabyte or evga.

It does matter in the quality of the product... gl

Where do you GET this? The color of the silkscreened epoxy on a PCB has absolutely nothing to do with the expense or quality of the board and everything to do with the type of dye mixed in.

EVGA sells boards with PCBs dyed all the colors of the rainbow, as do all the other manufacturers. Gigabyte typically uses blue PCBs. The default PCB color is green.

 

[deimos3428]

Green wavelengths create less friction, so the data moves faster. I thought everyone knew that.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I think XFX only offers a limited Lifetime Warranty on the 5870 card

 

[zerocool84]

I think XFX only offers a limited Lifetime Warranty on the 5870 card

I'm searching through Newegg and it says Double Lifetime Warranty on all ATI cards they sell.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I'm searching through Newegg and it says Double Lifetime Warranty on all ATI cards they sell.

Ok, yeah, looks like I didn't read the page in full. Here is snippet about the warranty and how it is transferred to the next person:

GRAPHICS CARDS: The limited hardware warranty for Graphics Cards may only be transferred to one owner after the original owner. Limited hardware warranties for Graphics Cards may be transferred if the new owner registers online at http://www.xfxforce.com/ within 90 days of the transfer using the same Registration ID as the original owner. Registration by the new owner at http://www.xfxforce.com/ within 90 days of the date of transfer using the same Registration ID as the original owner is a condition precedent to transferring the limited hardware warranty for Graphics Cards. The duration of the new owner’s limited hardware warranty will be limited to the duration of the original owner’s limited hardware warranty. If the original owner has a warranty for the duration of its life, the new owner’s life shall become the measuring life that determines the duration of the warranty.