Question Regarding eVGA Step-Up Program (8800GTX to Ultra)

[AuDioFreaK39]

I built my friend a rig in August with an eVGA 8800GTX 768MB (ordered from Newegg July 31st), and he wants to Step-Up to the 8800Ultra before its too late. He's got about 2 and a half weeks before his deadline (October 31st)

the eVGA Step-Up Program Terms and Conditions reads:

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.


...meaning, he would have to pay an extra 15%, or $77.15, for not having the box with all its packaging (which he doesn't have anymore)

This is my question:

If he were to buy a box from someone in the for sale/trade section or this forum or from another forum, would he be able to return the card even though the box would have a different serial number than his card? (as in, can he just peel it off the box but leave it on the card?) Thanks in advance.

 

[jeffw2767602]

Ultras are just GTX card that are overclocked. Just OC the GTX he already has to 650MHz and bump the memory up to 2000MHz.

 

[kmmatney]

What would the total cost of the step-up be?

 

[AuDioFreaK39]

Originally posted by: kmmatney
What would the total cost of the step-up be?

Well, he paid $517 for the 8800GTX, and the 8800Ultra is $630, so that's $113. And since he doesn't have the packaging, that's another $77.15 plus shipping. So the total would be around $200 to do a Step-Up 🙁


Also, would he notice that much more of a difference if he got the Ultra? Because, he already has the GTX overclocked to 625/2000.

 

[Raider1284]

Originally posted by: AuDioFreaK39

Originally posted by: kmmatney
What would the total cost of the step-up be?

Also, would he notice that much more of a difference if he got the Ultra? Because, he already has the GTX overclocked to 625/2000.

As jeff pointed out your friend's gtx is basically running at ultra speeds already. Your friend probally wouldn't even notice a difference after the upgrade

 

[NoStateofMind]

but what about the fancy cooler and the uber "ultra" name?:roll:

 

[defiantsf]

Like others said, tell you friend to just keep the OC'ed GTX til the next high-end part is introduced from either Nvidia or AMD.

If he absolutely must burn some money, here are some better alternatives:

(i) buy another GTX for SLI
(ii) Penryn upon introduction and OC it to 4.6GHz on air. See the CPU threads haha.
(iii) For even faster 3D gaming with no hitching period in loading ultra-high detailed textures, buy two of those new super-fast 64/128GB SSDs and put them in raid-0. Dedicate them to games only. 🙂

 

[Hauk]

Have your friend ship it to me and for $50 I'll flash it with an 8800 Ultra bios and will provide a PCI slot cooler to install under the card. Instant 8800 Ultra. 🙂