Where Are The Gigabyte GA-N680SLI-DQ6 Motherboards?

[Blazer7]

I agree with TheBeagle. GB has a chance now to turn all this into something positive. As GB is one of the big players this could mean a lot to a lot of people. So far smaller players like eVGA have built great names not only because of their products but mostly because of their support. What could happen if a major player like GB steps in to offer equivalent or better support ? If this happens then this could be really bad news for all competitors out there. Of course this would also be great news for all us customers.

GB has made a start, they can gain much more if they continue. I only hope that all this will awake the high ranking officials over at GB HQ. It is more than certain that this replacement program that GB is trying to put up has been approved by these same guys. All it remains is for those guys to have a look at the effect this recent move of theirs has had to their customer base even after so many months. This is clearly an opportunity the likes of which don't show up every day and it is in their grasp to capitalize on it.

 

[bka4u2c]

Its nice to hear that things seem to be turning around. I'm still avoiding their products though. Keep us thread followers updated on the progress and maybe one day I'll return as a customer.

 

[dlbetz]

Well, They called and said I had to email them my sn, contact info, copy of invoice and would recive back a confirmation email giving me my RMA lable to ship to them the Mobo. Then their engineers would inspect my Mobo to make sure every thing is ok and then they will send me my nrw 48x-DQ6 Mobo. So it looks like I will be without a pc for awhile.

 

[jaggerwild]

Originally posted by: dlbetz
Well, They called and said I had to email them my sn, contact info, copy of invoice and would recive back a confirmation email giving me my RMA lable to ship to them the Mobo. Then their engineers would inspect my Mobo to make sure every thing is ok and then they will send me my nrw 48x-DQ6 Mobo. So it looks like I will be without a pc for awhile.

Good morning all!

Yeah same here a guy named chuck called from Gigabyte told me what I needed then what to do blah blah blah.
regards!

 

[Smitty1705]

Same thing for me, I talked to Chuck at Gigabyte and sent him all of my info in email. This morning I woke up to instructions on sending my board back as well as an RMA # to reference. I'm guessing it will be a few days until I get my machine torn apart and board shipped off.

Smitty

 

[TheBeagle]

Good Afternoon Everyone.

A Word Of Caution! I've had more than one unpleasant experience with Gigabyte RMA folks who maintained that the corner of a board returned for RMA was "damaged." By this I mean they said it was dinged (they sent me a photo showing a dinged board corner). However, I KNOW that I packaged that board in several layers of bubble wrap, and it was set in plastic peanuts in a snug box, then inside a bigger box with packed peanuts as well. There was NO WAY that the board was capable of striking anything in that shipping environment, let alone enough to cause that type of damage.

Of course the INTERESTING part of all of this was that the board was still under warranty by Gigabyte (it had over a year of warranty left) but that model board had already been EOL'd by Gigabyte. I honestly suspect that someone at Gigabyte RMA either negligently or intentionally dinged that board corner so as to not have to repair or replace the board. I can't PROVE that contention, but when I packed it, the board was in perfect condition, obviously with no dings.

Fortunately, I insured the board for its full replacement value, so UPS had to make good on it. Considering the circumstances involved with the N680i boards and a RMA back to Gigabyte, I would STRONGLY SUGGEST that everyone fully insure their board, just in case such an "inexplicable" situation should happen to their board as well. Considering what we have had to endure concerning these failed N680i boards, I would not put any possibility out of the realm of "bad luck." I suppose the best container to ship the board back to Gigabyte is the original packaging box, with the plastic support try, then that box inside a strong exterior box, with all edges and seams well taped. It would also be wise to take several digital photos of the board from all angles, so you can prove it was in OK condition when you shipped it, just in case you have to file a damage claim with the shipper.

Best regards to everyone, and good luck on the RMAs. Have a nice day. TheBeagle :beer:

 

[Blazer7]

That's good advice. I'll make sure that I'll take extensive photos of the board and packaging when the time comes. Having the board insured is not a bad idea either.

BTW does anyone know where to locate the board's SN besides on the original box ?

 

[raisinjack]

what TheBeagle said is absolutely true and I cannot emphasize his warning more!

I,too, had rma'd a 680i mobo to them for a problem with the onboard nic.

The board was securely mounted in my rig,I removed it and placed it in the exact same box that gigabyte had placed it in when they manufactured it and also packe it such as MrBeagle also said.

I then received an email from them when they received it, informing me that the board was WARPED and unrepairable. And that they were returning it to me-no questions asked.

so I get it back and it is working to this day even though I still have the nic problem (which I found a workaround for).

so I have read numerous posts on the web about their infamous receieved bad rma.


Well,scr*w "em.............

I would like to take part in this return plan that you all here have fought valiantly for but I am now going to wait for the new intel socket type board and probably from evga never again gigabyte........................

so like he states here-Insure that sucker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[justinburton]

Location of Serial Number: I talked to Leo and he told me to look on the main 24pin power connector and there it was, the serial number sticker. I felt like an idiot after that one.

 

[Blazer7]

I expected that I could locate the SN in the BIOS but F9 revealed nothing. I don't think I would have spotted it on the power connector at all. Thanks justinburton. Now I'll just compare it to the one on the box to be 1000% sure.

 

[Fallen Kell]

I didn't have an issue with my RMA 2 months ago for repair. As I posted back in October/November, that my board had crapped out, I finally was able to prove what was broken when I picked up the 780i when they became available because I used the same CPU, memory, etc., that was on the 680i and was able to discover that something with the memory controller had crapped out and in the processes fried the memory on my board, even using other memory did not work on the 680i so I know it wasn't just the memory that went bad, but something with the board. As such, I finally did an RMA to get it repaired/replaced. I didn't have any problems other then the fact that you get absolutely no information about the progress of the board, not even an email saying that they received it. Long story short, they did the repair work and sent me back the board. But, I most definitely would make sure you insure it for whatever cost you feel the board is worth to you, I think it added something like $8 to my shipping costs, and make certain that you require a signature when delivered, that way you will know it actually got there, since you don't get any other information otherwise.

Leo left me a message sometime last nigh which I listened to today. I will be calling him on Monday to hopefully get the ball rolling.

 

[justinburton]

Wow 114 pages, this calls for a celebration. Beers for everyone, on Gigabyte. I think we should start a new topic titled "Where Are The Gigabyte GA-N790SLI-DQ6 Motherboards?" Topic summary: Announced a very long time ago - Then Vanished from Discussion - Are they replacing people's 680i's with X-48's instead?

 

[dlbetz]

Sent my email to Chuck on Thursday still no response on my RMA# or shipping? Anyone else not getting a response? Also anyone able to talk them into giving you the 790i when it comes out?

 

[jaggerwild]

Originally posted by: dlbetz
Sent my email to Chuck on Thursday still no response on my RMA# or shipping? Anyone else not getting a response? Also anyone able to talk them into giving you the 790i when it comes out?

Good afternoon Mr. dlbetz,

I got my RMA number today, I'd resend the info just in case. Also try Mr. Leo see whats up.
Regards!

 

[Wsmitty]

I sent my e-mail on the 8th, that was last Tuesday. Got the instant e-mail back that we all got saying it had been forwarded to the proper department and I should hear shortly. I too have not heard a word yet. I know Leo is probably dealing with alot of people but he does not seem to be responding in the order recieved. At least this allows me to watch how others fair before I talk to him.

 

[dlbetz]

Just got my RMA appoval and instructions how and what they want. Here is what they emailed me.

Dear Customer,
This email is to remind you to package your GA-N680SLI-DQ6 carefully before you send it in for this special program. Here are some tips for you.
Make sure the CPU socket protection lid is on in secure
Make sure the clear plastic lids are in right position and will not damage the heatsink
Include all the accessories came with the motherboard
Double box the package to prevent potential shipping damages
Gigabyte will inpect the motherboard upon receipt and make sure there is no any form of physical damage including but not limited to bent pins, scratches, oxidation, burnt, missing parts, cracks or any kind of deformation. If any sort of damage is found on the returned motherboard, the replacement will not be shipped.

We thank you for cooperating on these and appreciate your business with GIGABYTE

 

[Wsmitty]

WOW, sounds like you could very easily end up SOL, with no board and GB saying it had a scratch or oxidation and you prove it doesn't. Well I guess their stategy is working I'm getting to nervice to try it. I was even thinking of going with the repaired board so I would not have to reload everything. But if they won't send me one first to reduce my downtime then I guess I will just go back to EVGA. With the economy the way it is and the reduced customer base, this kind of treatment will not look good for their future. I wonder if they forgot this was their fault!

I do want to thank all those on this board for all the help you have given me on this and other subjects. I may not post much since a quick search here gives GREAT answers.

 

[mjrtoo]

Well, I'm SOL, I've modified my board to fit my Ultima90 cooler on it. If they require all the 'stuff' that came with it, f#$k that.

Gigabyte makes some good boards, but I think I'm done with them as well as recommending them to others. So long Gigabyte and it's been 'sorta' nice knowing you (I've had some very good luck with their stuff, just not this one, but the outright lying with this boards capabilities is outrageous)

 

[Bayard]

I just called leo today and got a response from costumer services about emailing them the receipt and sn number and stuff. (I emailed them April 8th too) They will be sending me an RMA soon they say. They are willing to trade the board for the x48-dq6 which is nice of them. I hope taking off the gigabyte insignia from the northbridge heatsink does not constitute "modification". The guy I spoke to think it is ok.....

I'm sorry bout I'm gonna take lotsa pictures before sending them the board just in case they decide to say the board was damaged when it got there.

I'm not trusting Nvidia boards for a long long time. Yes it's gigabyte's fault for not providing good customer service but it's Nvidia's fault providing a shitty chip set. I'm going intell boards all the way.

 

[jaggerwild]

Yeah,
This is totally BS, after they send me an RMA and I put just the board in the Mail. Then I get an e-mail from chuck, 6 hours latter:

"Dear Customer,

This email is to remind you to package your GA-N680SLI-DQ6 carefully before you send it in for this special program. Here are some tips for you.

Make sure the CPU socket protection lid is on in secure
Make sure the clear plastic lids are in right position and will not damage the heatsink
Include all the accessories came with the motherboard
Double box the package to prevent potential shipping damages
Gigabyte will inpect the motherboard upon receipt and make sure there is no any form of physical damage including but not limited to bent pins, scratches, oxidation, burnt, missing parts, cracks or any kind of deformation. If any sort of damage is found on the returned motherboard, the replacement will not be shipped.



We thank you for cooperating on these and appreciate your business with GIGABYTE. "

So pretty much, it's coming back on my dime now after they reject it.
Great work guys truly!!!

 

[GigabyteColin]

Hi JAGGERWILD and all,

The email you received about the shipping back your motherboard is normal RMA procedure. The email is more a warning to ensure people take adequate care of wrapping their board for shipping. If you have the original packaging, that is obviously best. You wouldn't believe what some users send us for RMA. I once saw a board that was returned to us from a customer that was wrapped in only a paper bag and duct tape, with no padding at all. So, the moral of the story, the better you wrap your board, the less likely it will get damaged in shipping and the better chance you have at RMA.

For those who have modded their boards or are sending in dead boards, the only thing I can tell you is wait until RMA has your board and boots it and then talk to them directly or talk to them before you ship it and explain the situation. Anything that clearly voids the warranty is hard for those RMA guys to approve, as they have to justify it to their bosses. Since this is a special circumstance, I'm not sure how strict they will be. If it is missing some accessory cables, that obviously not a big deal. If the board we get back is black and melted, that is a different story. If it doesn't boot, the question becomes why it wasn't RMA'ed earlier. Usually the answer is the user has done something to void out the warranty and they knew they didn't really stand a chance.

Anyway, try to get your board in the closest condition to when you bought it. If you took of the heatpipe, put it back on. If you changed screws, try to find the originals. If not, explain it to your contact window and hopefully you can work it out with them.

 

[Blazer7]

Hello Colin

Obviously missing a couple of cables is not a big deal but what's the case when the board returned is not fully functional ? If the board is damaged beyond repair I can understand why your RMA people will reject such a case.

What happens though when the board can be repaired ? Will your RMA people charge a fee for the repair of the old board and proceed with the RMA, or will they just reject it ? I think that this is the question some people here may wanna ask.

 

[Smitty1705]

Colin -

I have all of my info but i was waiting to see what happened with a few people also. The ONLY thing I have changed on mine is the main cooler for the CPU. I put a big cooler master cooler on there to allow for better cooling. This board is flawless and un changed otherwise and I can provide all of the original packing etc.
I know quite a few people put aftermarket coolers on, will they frown on that?

Smitty

 

[Curr]

Smitty/Blazer...

Did they give you a timeline on how long you will be out of a computer...

Colin, any info you can provide on this?

I do a lot of my work at home and really can't afford 2 weeks downtime.

 

[eklock2000]

@ every1...

I believe that Board modifications do not necessarily void this special RMA program. This is not a "usual" board doesn't work issue. I think Gigabyte is finally trying to rectify this for all of us, and I don't think they want to start denying these RMA requests on "technicalities". Just work with your individual Gigabyte rep...they've been super helpful to me.

RE: shipping time...GigaUSA told me the downtime should be minimal as we (as a group) are of the highest priority right now. The turnaround time is supposed to be a day or so, once they receive the board. I'm in the same boat with the cross-shipping thing and I will have to make some special arrangements to be able to go without a computer for a week or so. Sux that we've become so dependent on these damn things...

EK2K