VideoCards - OEM - BULK Question

[vikingblade]

Hi guys. Ive been looking for a good deal on the X1800XT, and Ive seen a few OEM-BULK Cards listed at better than retail prices. The thing is, I dont wanna be stuck without something I may need.

Does anyone know exactly what should come with an OEM Video card. Obviosly no games, but does it include the Vivo cables etc...

Also, are warrantys the same as retail. I dont believe it comes with a box so, do I need the box code to register and warranty?

Lastly, has anyoneseen the X1800XT for less than $550? THANKS

 

[Wolfshanze]

OEM cards usually include only the card itself and a driver disc... not sure if it would include the VIVO cable... I suppose it would if the cable was card-specific, but make sure this is included with the OEM card before you buy if it's important.

What you won't get with OEM as opposed to retail, is the bulky packaging, box, wrapping, etc.

As for warranty, simply owning a company's card usually suffices for an RMA to the manufacturer if something goes wrong. It's not like people can "Pirate" a video card and make multiple copies... especially if the OEM card is from a reputable manufacturer with good customer service, like BFG (not that I've ever seen an OEM BFG card).

As with ANY product or video card purchase, it is important to research what you are spending your money on before-hand. If it's a bad retail card, it's probably a bad OEM card too... simple logic. I wouldn't hesitate to save a few bucks and grab an OEM BFG card if I could find one though. OEM generally means you don't get the box, but it's an otherwise identical product... since I don't install video-card-boxes into my system, I can live without it... but remember the OEM card is only as good as the retail card... if it's from a fly-by-night company, take that into consideration.

Hope that answers your question (I've bought a lot of OEM equipment over the years... never had any problems... lately though, I seem to buy OEM HDs, but retail video cards... I can't ever find good OEM video cards anymore... everyone only stocks retail).

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: Wolfshanze
OEM cards usually include only the card itself and a driver disc... not sure if it would include the VIVO cable... I suppose it would if the cable was card-specific, but make sure this is included with the OEM card before you buy if it's important.

What you won't get with OEM as opposed to retail, is the bulky packaging, box, wrapping, etc.

As for warranty, simply owning a company's card usually suffices for an RMA to the manufacturer if something goes wrong. It's not like people can "Pirate" a video card and make multiple copies... especially if the OEM card is from a reputable manufacturer with good customer service, like BFG (not that I've ever seen an OEM BFG card).

As with ANY product or video card purchase, it is important to research what you are spending your money on before-hand. If it's a bad retail card, it's probably a bad OEM card too... simple logic. I wouldn't hesitate to save a few bucks and grab an OEM BFG card if I could find one though. OEM generally means you don't get the box, but it's an otherwise identical product... since I don't install video-card-boxes into my system, I can live without it... but remember the OEM card is only as good as the retail card... if it's from a fly-by-night company, take that into consideration.

Hope that answers your question (I've bought a lot of OEM equipment over the years... never had any problems... lately though, I seem to buy OEM HDs, but retail video cards... I can't ever find good OEM video cards anymore... everyone only stocks retail).

Actually Quite the Oppisite, Most OEM products carry a lower warranty along with not having the rest of the bundle box and what not. These are bulk cards and meant for system builders since by the time the computer gets to the customer there will be no box, and most customers would never know who made the card, any bundled software would be assumed to have come from the computer manufactuerer as apposed to the card maker, so little reason to include that as well. The smaller warranty, again applies to the system builders. Most customers are not expect and in most cases not allowed to open up and work on the computer, and the warranty on the computer itself over rules the warranty of any single parts warranty.

Companies with Lifetime warranties like BFG, which states that any BFG Vid card is covered for the life of the product, create sub companies for OEM deals. BFG has 3dFuzion or something like that for all of their OEM sales and I believe the warranty on them is about 1 year.

 

[vikingblade]

thanks guys. the thing is...new egg and others seem to be offering OEM/BULK versions of the ATI X1800XT. Sapphire, Connect3d, ATI etc... They are normally about 30 bucks cheaper or more. How can I find out for sure before buying, about warranty and whats included. Even though they are OEM...These are still a seriously expensive video card...$570!!

 

[golem]

Was wondering about that myself since Newegg doens't seem to show warrenty info. Might have to contact them and ask.

 

[vikingblade]

they should really give that info....this isnt a low price item here...

very strange that there seems to be alot of OEM X1800XT cards out there...more than retail even. very, very few if any geforce 7800's... wonder why.

 

[vikingblade]

Anyone else have any idea... anyone bought an OEM X1800XT??

 

[Wolfshanze]

I've bought lots of OEM stuff from NewEgg before, but never a video card... what I can say is this... Newegg does show pictures of everything they sell... if they say it's an ATI OEM X1800XT, simply look at the pictures of the OEM card and compare it with the pictures of the retail OEM card... odds are likely they will look identical (my hunch).

Regardless of the manufacturers warranty, Newegg has a very liberal return policy... generally speaking you know within 24 hours of getting a video card if it's a lemon or not. OEM cards should have the same hardware as a retail card, so if it's up and running fine after testing it out in the first day or two, you should know if it's a solid card or not very quick. It's incredibly rare for a video card to go dead on you a month after purchase... usually it'll be DOA or die within the first day or two if it's a lemon... otherwise it should have a long healthy life.

Since we're talking about NewEgg here (I didn't know that), I would fully trust purchasing an OEM card from NewEgg, because they have solid customer service. If it's going to save you green, and it's coming from NewEgg, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase an OEM card from them.

Don't waste money on a box you'll never use. NewEgg is trustworthy enough to purchase an OEM card from... they are not a fly-by-night company, and I don't think they'd be selling junk cards with their reputation. You're throwing away money if you purchase retail if you can buy the OEM version from NewEgg... that's my 2-cents.

 

[vikingblade]

THANKS. I wrote em an email asking about OEM. No answer yet. But, im sure its like you said. My main concern was a shorter warranty...30 bucks more may be worth it for another year or two warranty. if oem is 1yr and retail is 2-3yrs. dunno....