Question about eVGA step-up.

njdevilsfan87

Platinum Member
Apr 19, 2007
2,341
264
126
I was thinking about it... and I'm pretty much waiting for the 512MB/256-bit 8700GTS to be released.

But I had a thought... if I were to purchase an eVGA 8800GTS320 from Newegg, ZZF, MWave, or whatever other certified dealer is out there for $250 or so, could I step up to card that is actually lower in the series?

If the 8700GTS was released for $250, would I actually be allowed to a trade in? I would rather have 512MB of video memory as opposed to a 320-bit memory bus. Also the 8700GTS is supposed to be built on a 65nm process and 1ns memory, meaning higher frequencies which when overclocked could make up for having less shaders.

This is not something I have to do absolutely do. My overclocked 7900GT to 7900GTX+ speeds is doing fine at the moment. But I could see it as a very possible option if I could do so.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
I am pretty sure their step-up program refers to cards of higher value (price), not necessarily performance (but most likely higher priced cards are faster in same line-up). Meaning you can step up from 8800GTS 320mb to 640mb, GTX or Ultra. You wouldn't be able to "step-up" to a $249 8700GTS since 8800GTS's costs more.
 

Pain999

Member
Aug 16, 2007
54
0
0
Since you probably paid less then MSRP along with a rebate for the 8800, and you will have to pay MSRP for the 8700 it just may be possible. When they release it certainly would not hurt to ask EVGA
 

JustaGeek

Platinum Member
Jan 27, 2007
2,827
0
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http://evga.com/forums/tt.asp?forumid=15

Read the posts in the eVGA step-up forums.

Copied from their website:

Terms and Conditions

The EVGA Step-up? Program is available to all EVGA graphics card customers who are within 90 days of their original purchase date (based upon their invoice date). Customers who received their EVGA graphics card as part of a complete computer system are not eligible - except for those listed on our approved system vendor list.


What products will EVGA make available to the Step-Up Program?
EVGA will only release EGS (EVGA Genuine Spec) versions of its products, NVIDIA reference spec and clock, to the step-up program.
Products that have been pre-configured with higher clock speeds will be released based on yield rates and in limited quantities and on a first come first ship bases.
Products known to have limited availability will not be made available to the Step-Up Program. (Limited availability determined by EVGA production.)


What if the card I selected is on back order?
You are welcome to sign up and be in the queue until that card become available.
Once you are notified you will have 14 days to send EVGA your invoice or your step-up will be expired. All notifications are done via email to the registered email that you have on file with EVGA.


Participants in the EVGA Step-up? Program are welcome to use the program one (1) time per new card purchase. Once you have received your Step-up? card, the Step-up? card is not allowed to be used in this program.


Product eligibility is dependent upon the following restrictions:
Product must have been purchased through an authorized reseller, retailer, e-tailer, or distributor of EVGA products.
Products purchased through unauthorized channels, such as E-Bay or other auction sites do not qualify for the Step-up? program.
Products acquired through a promotional contest or giveaway are also not qualifed to be used in the Step-up? program.


The duration of the EVGA Step-up? Program is limited to 90 days after the date of purchase (the purchase date shown on the invoice or receipt).


As long as the participant has not shipped out the trade-in video graphics adapter, the Step-up? transaction may be cancelled and all fees and/or charges concerning the Step-up? Upgrade will be refunded. However, once the participant's trade-in video graphics adapter has been received by EVGA, the Step-up? transaction can no longer be cancelled.


The participant's trade-in video graphics adapter must be fully functional, be in its original packaging, with all CDs, and manuals, and be in resalable condition. Should these conditions not be met, the applicable value of the trade-in card will be reduced by 15%, with the difference paid by the participant in order to proceed with the Step-Up? Process.
An exception to this rule is if the original product came with a promotional game. This is deemed as a gift and does not need to be returned with the trade-in card. The participant will not be charged for not returning a bundled game.


When you submit your application to take advantage of the Step-up? Program, you will be required to select and purchase your upgrade video card at that time. You will be required to pay for the upgrade cost along with the shipping fee. The total charge will depend on the value of the upgrade card less the value of your trade-in card plus the shipping fee associated with shipping your upgrade card to you.


Your purchase price will be reduced by the amount equal to the original purchase price of the graphics card that you are trading in. Because this value is initially entered by you, it will be subject for review by EVGA - who may elect to add or remove additional charges based on the accuracy of the original application. Also, the Step-up? upgrade cannot be used with any other offers or promotions.


In the event that after review of the submitted invoice/receipt, the Step-Up? purchase price must be adjusted, the customer will receive an email detailing the amount and reason for the adjustment. The customer must then pay for the requested amount before the Step-Up? process can continue. In the case that the review deems the Step-Up? request to be outside of the program requirements, a full refund of the Step-Up? charges will be made to the participant and their request denied.


After you have applied, selected your upgrade card, and made your upgrade purchase; you will need to fax or email your original invoice or receipt to EVGA. After we have received and verified your information, you will be approved for an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number, which you will need to send your trade-in card to EVGA. You will receive the RMA number through email along with detailed instructions on how to proceed with the Step-Up? Program.


After EVGA receives your trade-in card, it may take up to two business days to process and ship your Step-Up? upgrade card.


Once the Step-up? upgrade card has been shipped from EVGA, the upgrade process has been deemed to be complete. No refunds will be allowed for Step-up? upgrade purchases.


Each of these steps will come with complete instructions via email as you complete each part of the Step-Up? Program process. EVGA cannot be held liable for lost or misdirected email. Please ensure that SPAM filtering software, or any other application which might cause EVGA emails to be filtered, is configured to allow emails from EVGA.


The EVGA Step-up? Program is limited to residents of the Continental US, Canada and Europe only.


Those who qualify for the Step-Up? Program will be required to ship their old graphics card before EVGA will issue the upgrade video card. EVGA offers no cross-shipping on Step-Up?.


EVGA retains the right to revoke or revise the EVGA Step-Up? Service at will. If so, participants shall be informed through the EVGA website without notice of any such change.


Terms and Conditions are correct at the time of publication; however EVGA Corp. reserves the right to make any changes to its terms and conditions or policies without prior notice.


Unreleased or future products may not become available or have limited availability for the Step-up? Program. In the event of limited availability, product will be distributed on a first come first serve basis at the sole discretion of EVGA.


The Signature Series? product line is limited in quantities and will not be made available as a Step-Up? option for those users who do not have a Signature Series? product. Customers who purchase our Signature Series? line of product will be able to Step-Up? to any EVGA product listed on our website.

If you have any questions about the preceding Step Up policy, please contact our Customer Service or by calling 888-880-EVGA (3842). Customer Service can be reached anytime 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

*Additional products/rules may be adjusted for EVGA promotions.
*When upgrading, certain products may need a reinstallation, or reactivation of Windows.
 

daveybrat

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jan 31, 2000
5,805
1,018
126
I'm still boggled by why you'd like to do this? I'm pretty sure the 8800GTS will be faster still than the 8700GTS. Having 512MB of ram over 320MB of ram will not make a difference if the card itself is slower. Until i see some benchmarks for the 8700GTS, i'm going to believe that the 8800GTS is still a faster card.
 

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
well, since the 2950 pro is rumored to have 2900xt-type performance, odds are good that the g92 chip will be at least that good. It doesn't make logical sense to have an 8700 gts faster than an 8800 gts, but it is certainly possible.
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
Originally posted by: bryanW1995
well, since the 2950 pro is rumored to have 2900xt-type performance, odds are good that the g92 chip will be at least that good. It doesn't make logical sense to have an 8700 gts faster than an 8800 gts, but it is certainly possible.

Possibly but not likely. I'm leaning toward it being slower by a little bit.
 

cputeq

Member
Sep 2, 2007
154
0
0
I'm sure it'll fare better with higher textures (as the 320 has choked on a few high-texture tests...maybe driver problems?) but the inevitable nerfing of stream processors (and possibly memory access) means the 8800 will probably still come out on top.

It'll be interesting to see how it pans out, that's for sure.