PowderBB3D

Senior member
May 23, 2004
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Basically they're all pretty much the same since they're based on nVidia's board design. The main difference is that the BFG comes pre-overclocked, meaning you don't have to do it yourself. BFG also has an excellent warranty program. eVGA, on the other hand, bundles their card with Far Cry and offers the "step-up" program. "Step-up" basically means that in 90 days you'll have the option of "stepping-up" to another, better card if you so desire. This helps buyer's remorse if somehow or another you find yourself wishing you had a more powerful card.

I went eVGA because:
1. It was instock
2. Step-Up Plan appealed to me
3. Cheaper than the BFG and OCing isn't hard to do
 

Confusednewbie1552

Golden Member
Jun 24, 2004
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How great is evga's warranty? Also is stepping up free? Cause then i'll just buy a 6800 GT and "step up" to a ultra for th price of the GT!!
 

Kovie

Member
Sep 18, 2002
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You just send the card back and pay the difference between the GT and Ultra. EVGA also only has a 1 year warranty.
 

jrphoenix

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,295
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Originally posted by: Safeway
Step-up program kicks ass. I think I will do that in 90 days.

Ditto..... that's why I went EVGA GT (I'm stepping up in 90 days). This will be my first Nvidia card :p I have ATI now and before that 3dFX Voodoo.
 
Mar 11, 2004
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My only problem with the step-up is that how many times is a newer card released within 90days? Now if it was 6 months, that wouldn't be bad, but I don't feel that 3 is long enough.
 

JBT

Lifer
Nov 28, 2001
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Thats why people get the GT's in 3 months time mostly likely the Ultra's will have dropped in price by a bit.
 

Safeway

Lifer
Jun 22, 2004
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JBT, exactly what I was about to post. I am most definately going to use my eVGA step-up program to get a 6800 Ultra within 3 months. That is bloody awesome. If it drops in price, even better. I wont mind spending $100 (maybe $50) in 3 months to get an Ultra. Less OC stress on the GT.
 

Confusednewbie1552

Golden Member
Jun 24, 2004
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So the only difference between BFG and eVGA is the stup program and Pre overclocked?

What about noise which card maker makes the quietest card? Also since the BFG comes pre overclocked does it have a better fan? And iis eVGA's warranty good?
 

AyashiKaibutsu

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2004
9,306
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They both use the same cooler with a different sticker on it. BFG has best warrenty/service, evga has farcry. You won't have any problem getting any GT to 370 and BFG doesn't have any more of a max overclock then any of the other ones.
 

FluxCap

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2002
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Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
My only problem with the step-up is that how many times is a newer card released within 90days? Now if it was 6 months, that wouldn't be bad, but I don't feel that 3 is long enough.

I looked into this and found out you just have to submit your request to Step Up before the 90 days and you will qualify. So, for example, if the Ultra doesn't come in until January (say at $450) then you can hold your card until they have your new card ready for you. You pay $50 and ship yours back in working condition with all contents (yes, Far Cry too) and then you will have an Ultra for $50 shipped to you when they get your old card. I plan on doing it and will have the Ultra before the year is out.
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
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Originally posted by: Confusednewbie1552
How loud are they though.

My eVGA is quiet. I imagine that the BFG is as well, since they both have the nVidia spec GT cooler.
 

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
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Originally posted by: AyashiKaibutsu
ARGH! they both use the same cooler. The sticker is not going to affect the sound of the card...

lol, this is true.
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
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How can eVGA make money if everyone "steps up"? What do they do with the old cards? It's illegal to resell them as new AFAIK. Maybe they could pawn them off as refurbs, but they must be losing a TON of money doing this sort of thing. Wow.
 

PowderBB3D

Senior member
May 23, 2004
549
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I think they are banking on the fact that most people are too lazy to actually step-up (sort of like when you see generous MIRs on products). People buy their cards thinking how great it will be to step-up but never get around to actually doing it.
 

FluxCap

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2002
1,207
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Originally posted by: Confusednewbie1552
So can I qualify for the step up thing and buy the next generation of video cards?

Depends, do you have a new card?