HD 4890 - Powercolour or XFX

[AcesTranquility]

Hi,

Im buying a new video card (a HD 4890) and im not sure which third party i should go for. I hear XFX are good but the powercolour card is £24 less than the XFX.

Should i pay more for an XFX factory over clocked card (so if it breakes i will be able to get RMA as it was already overclocked) ?

Or should i save money and go for the powercolour?

Also if i overclock the power cooler via CCC does this void the warranty? Id be aiming at the GPU clock to be 900 and the mem clock to be 975.

thanks

PS. I have a 4890 at the moment and i am about to RMA it. I have everything that came with it but i cant find the composite to s-video connector. What will happen if i send the card without it?

and the box is a little ripped, does that matter?

 

[Narynan]

I would go XFX. I've always been under the impression that they make better cards, and if they cost less, then yeah; go for the XFX. Depending on where you live you should be able to see if they can decide if there is an issue with CCC. I cant speak with direct experience for ATI cards recently.

 

[AcesTranquility]

No, the XFX infact costs £24 MORE than the powercolour... but thanks for the reply.

What about the fact i cant find the composite to s-video connector? Will i still be able to RMA my old card with out it, or do all components need to be in the box for the RMA to be accepted?

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: AcesTranquility
No, the XFX infact costs £24 MORE than the powercolour... but thanks for the reply.

What about the fact i cant find the composite to s-video connector? Will i still be able to RMA my old card with out it, or do all components need to be in the box for the RMA to be accepted?

AFAIK, normally, the company you're RMA'ing to actually states to NOT include any of the accessories that came with your card. You might not get them back. But, you have the internet, obviously, so why not check out your graphics card manufacturers web site for their RMA details and what's required.

 

[TemjinGold]

The cards are probably the same (built out of the same foundary likely) but, here in the states, XFX has a MUCH better warranty and MUCH better customer service. Basically if you pay the additional, you are paying for the better customer service (compared to XFX, Powercolor's service is horrid.) You should decide based on whether that seems worth it to you.

 

[ScorcherDarkly]

XFX has a double lifetime warranty as long as you register your card w/in 30 days of purchase. The double part means that if you sell your card to someone else later, they ALSO benefit from the lifetime warranty as long as they re-register. It's one of the best warranties in the business, and definitely worth the extra money now. I bought a 8800 GT about 18 months ago which recently blew 5 capactiors. If I had gone with XFX I would have been able to get it repaired/replaced for free, instead I get to spring for a new card.

 

[Spikesoldier]

for the 4890 i looked at which card had the better cooler. there are so many that use the reference cooler.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: ScorcherDarkly
XFX has a double lifetime warranty as long as you register your card w/in 30 days of purchase. The double part means that if you sell your card to someone else later, they ALSO benefit from the lifetime warranty as long as they re-register. It's one of the best warranties in the business, and definitely worth the extra money now. I bought a 8800 GT about 18 months ago which recently blew 5 capactiors. If I had gone with XFX I would have been able to get it repaired/replaced for free, instead I get to spring for a new card.

That might only be for North America.