Scam Site!!!

[Alphanos]

While searching to see if anyone other than eVGA has yet released a 256MB 5900FX Ultra, I ran across this store. This site claims to sell an MSI-branded 256MB card at this url. Also linked to from the sidebar I saw they are claiming to sell a 256MB AIW 9800 Pro at this url. The only problem is that these products don't exist!! See MSI's product page here and ATI's product page here. This isn't just a mix-up on the site's part, because they also claim to sell the parts that DO exist at a regular price, while the two non-existant parts sell for $100-$200 more.

So watch out for these guys and spread the news so people don't get suckered in!

Edit: sorry about the links, I'll fix them right after supper. The urls are right though.
Edit #2: link codes fixed, sorry again.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Well, I don't think the ATI is meant to be a scam, just that their product headline is incorrect. In the details, the list is for 128MB not 256MB. I think they simply took the page they used for the 256MB Pro and typed in All-In-Wonder in front of the product name, and then copy/pasted the true details/specs for the card below. And they are selling at 100-200 more because they seem to be one of 2 places have are selling the cards so they figure they can gouge the people who can't wait to get that card and make a huge profit for it (the other site is also selling the AIW at $600).

 

[Alphanos]

I think you misunderstood what I meant; they list both the 128MB and 256MB 9800 Pro AIW on different pages as different products, and their listed price for the 9800 Pro AIW 256MB is $100 more than their 9800 Pro AIW 128MB.

Their 9800 Pro AIW with 128MB is here.

As posted above, the 256MB version, which doesn't exist and is listed at $100 more, is here.

 

[Alphanos]

For reference, they list the real MSI 5900 FX card with 128MB, which does exist, here.

Their listed MSI 5900FX 256MB card, which does not exist and is listed at $200 more, is listed here.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Yet another reason to stick with Newegg, source of all non-Hot-Deals parts goodness.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Just because the manufacturer doesn't have it on their pages doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Maybe they're jumping the gun and offering them before release.

 

[Alphanos]

Doesn't it seem odd to you that nobody has heard any news of these products, and nobody has previewed samples, and yet these guys are claiming to sell retail versions right now?

 

[Lord Evermore]

Oh, and if you take a look, the AIW 256MB isn't listed as in stock, and the other 3 don't have a stock status at all.

They do have a 5.25 out of 10 in 6 months on resellerratings though. And only 4.3 lifetime.

 

[Lord Evermore]

I don't see anywhere saying the 5900's retail. But sure I'd be suspicious of anybody claiming to have unannounced products, but that doesn't definitively mean it's a fraud.

 

[Alphanos]

Well, unless they managed to get samples (which nobody else has) to sell, wouldn't they be mass-produced, whether they're retail or OEM? What I meant was that it would be pretty hard for mass production of a 9800 Pro AIW 256MB or MSI 5900FX Ultra 256MB card to begin without someone, somewhere hearing something about it. Its true that it doesn't state anywhere whether these cards are samples/oem/retail though.

 

[nemesismk2]

Originally posted by: Alphanos
Well, unless they managed to get samples (which nobody else has) to sell, wouldn't they be mass-produced, whether they're retail or OEM? What I meant was that it would be pretty hard for mass production of a 9800 Pro AIW 256MB or MSI 5900FX Ultra 256MB card to begin without someone, somewhere hearing something about it. Its true that it doesn't state anywhere whether these cards are samples/oem/retail though.

The MSI 5900FX Ultra 256MB does exist because I've seen a sample version myself. It's still a couple of weeks from being available via retail channels however. Suppliers get review samples before websites incase you didn't know!

I've just finished testing a 256mb XFX Geforce FX5600 and it's a really lame video card. I tested it with Quake II for a laugh and even my old GF4 MX440 beat it hands down!

 

[nutxo]

ya never know

while back, when the first 133 fsb athlons came out i got a call from a store I go to. they said they had a few trays of the 1.33s in and asked if I would like to purchase one. I had one a few weeks before the review sites,..

 

[Alphanos]

nemesismk2, do you know when/where specifically the MSI 256MB version will be out? I'd like to get a 5900FX Ultra ASAP, but I'm not really sure whether its wise to get an eVGA card. I'm also hoping prices will drop a bit once some more manufacturers release their versions.

I don't find it hard to believe that a store would get samples before web sites, just that they would be selling the samples before any web site has even HEARD of the product.