Which GTX 280 brand is superior?

[Infantry1982]

Greetings all,

I want to buy a GTX 285 for my new build. Now I am wondering which manufacturer is the best; EVGA, MSI, BFG Tech, ASUS, PNY....?

Thanks

 

[TC91]

evga

 

[xfile]

+1 for EVGA....their support is outstanding.

 

[masteryoda34]

EVGA is probably the most recommended. BFG also has a good warranty and a step-up program also. XFX has a double lifetime warranty, meaning if you purchase the card second hand its still covered.

 

[nZone]

PNY has a very nice packaging, it's like a collectible box.

 

[PCTC2]

eVGA. Lifetime warranty as long as you register within 30 days of purchase. I have had a GTX 260 replaced, two 680i-AR/A1's replaced, and when I recently had my 7950GT KO artifact, they sent me an 8800GT because they were out of 7950GT's.

 

[Infantry1982]

THanks for your input, everyone. Looks like EVGA takes the cake!

 

[Sliceup]

i'd say go with EVGA or BFG great service from both for me.

 

[Deinonych]

Originally posted by: TC91
evga

This.

 

[lavaheadache]

I say either a bfg evga or xfx, although i got a bfg

 

[krnmastersgt]

EVGA = best single user warranty
BFG = clone of EVGA with less acceptance of damaged goods
XFX = only one with dual lifetime warranties

If you're keeping the card for a while, EVGA. If you're reselling it sometime in the near-ish future, might want to consider XFX.

 

[nemesismk2]

EVGA or BFG

 

[RPatrick]

I don't disagree with buying a card based on a superior warranty. Thats a safe option.

On the flip side, if I bought 4 video cards over time from the same company that all went bad, I'd have doubts about the quality of their products. Most of the time I am building systems for friends and I'd much prefer that the cards just work rather than have a superior warranty that I've got to actually put into use.

Unfortunately, it seems there is little to no info out there regarding the failure rates of different brands of video cards. I've just been going with Asus.

 

[Painman]

EVGA tech support is quite good. I spent an hour on the phone with them last week, trying to nail down some odd behavior between their 260 and my LCD... we didn't reach a solid conclusion (I need to borrow another monitor from someone before we can rule some issues out), but 1) even their L1 guys have a decent amount of knowledge, and 2) they didn't assume that I was a bonehead.

This is always a good measure of a company... what happens when you call them with an issue.

 

[chizow]

#1 EVGA = Lifetime Warranty, 90-day step-up, overclocking and now overvolting warranty protection (they provide the software tools), warranty coverage if you remove cooling, support/enthusiast forums (great resource), typical game bundle for whatever Nvidia is promoting.

#2 XFX = Double-lifetime Warranty, overclocking protection, warranty coverage if you remove cooling, support/enthusiast forums (not as good as EVGA's), typical game bundle for whatever Nvidia is promoting.

#3 BFG = Lifetime Warranty, 100-day step-up. typical game bundle for whatever Nvidia is promoting.

There are a few other differences with regard to RMA/cross-ship/fees etc that I'm not all too sure about. I used to regard BFG as equal to EVGA, but I guess they recently revoked their warranty coverage for overclocking. They also lack support/enthusiast forums, which are extremely helpful in getting relevant info quickly, but also provides a direct means of contact with techs and customer service in case you have a problem (great for RMA problems).

 

[Zenoth]

XFX's double-lifetime warranty only applies to the U.S.A though.

I'd go with eVGA myself, can't go wrong with them.

 

[nitromullet]

EVGA

 

[videogames101]

EVGA for an OC covering warranty, including overvolting!

 

[MegaWorks]

EVGA or XFX

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
BFG = clone of EVGA

Huh? Comparing to EVGA...

BFG Firsts:
lifetime warranty
factory overclocks
24/7 tech support
power supplies

BFG Exclusives:
lifetime warranty on ALL graphics cards

 

[Boobs McGee]

Originally posted by: Painman
EVGA tech support is quite good. I spent an hour on the phone with them last week, trying to nail down some odd behavior between their 260 and my LCD... we didn't reach a solid conclusion (I need to borrow another monitor from someone before we can rule some issues out), but 1) even their L1 guys have a decent amount of knowledge, and 2) they didn't assume that I was a bonehead.

This is always a good measure of a company... what happens when you call them with an issue.

I agree, when I had issues they didn't beat me up. They took my word that I had troubleshot the system down to the video card and approved for RMA.

 

[dingleberrydorkbutt]

I'd have to say XFX.

I emailed evga recently and never received an answer, but that could be my luck and not indicative of the company.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: chizow
I used to regard BFG as equal to EVGA, but I guess they recently revoked their warranty coverage for overclocking. They also lack support/enthusiast forums, which are extremely helpful in getting relevant info quickly, but also provides a direct means of contact with techs and customer service in case you have a problem (great for RMA problems).

I had to look it up.

http://www.bfgtech.com/warranty.aspx

Was not modified or damaged by overclocking

The written warranty statement doesn't say "you can't overclock" but does state "if you kill your card by overclocking..."

As for user forums, BFG used to have some until a couple months ago (at bfggaming.com). Basically it was just people airing their problems in public. The real "direct means of contact with techs and customer service in case you have a problem" is to email or to pick up the phone and call. The forums was just wasting time, because someone having a problem would oftentimes do all three, so someone monitoring the forums would try to help, only to find out they already got their problem taken care of, and of course the forums would just show the problem so people would think that we weren't doing anything to help. It was basically like a support ticket system, but public so everyone can see everyone else's support tickets.

Just pick up the phone and call.

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
BFG = clone of EVGA

Huh? Comparing to EVGA...

BFG Firsts:
lifetime warranty
factory overclocks
24/7 tech support
power supplies

BFG Exclusives:
lifetime warranty on ALL graphics cards

I have something to add to this...

BFG Exclusives:
24/7/365 phone support

Maybe that's why EVGA/XFX uses forums? Since they don't seem to do phone support over holidays, what is a gamer to do if they need help on Christmas day? Oh yeah, use the forums and maybe some other gamer can offer some suggestions until support opens again. With BFG, just pick up the phone and call. Christmas day, New Year's day, Thanksgiving... whenever.

Everyone else = lesser clones of BFG

Of course the other companies have innovations of their own, such as Step-Up (which BFG copied and improved with Trade-Up) and a double warranty, so kudos to them.

BIG DISCLAIMER: In case someone doesn't know by now, I work for BFG. I am NOT in support, so if you have a problem call support. I am NOT in sales, so no I can't hook you up with a killer deal.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: chizow
I used to regard BFG as equal to EVGA, but I guess they recently revoked their warranty coverage for overclocking. They also lack support/enthusiast forums, which are extremely helpful in getting relevant info quickly, but also provides a direct means of contact with techs and customer service in case you have a problem (great for RMA problems).

I had to look it up.

http://www.bfgtech.com/warranty.aspx

Was not modified or damaged by overclocking

The written warranty statement doesn't say "you can't overclock" but does state "if you kill your card by overclocking..."

As for user forums, BFG used to have some until a couple months ago (at bfggaming.com). Basically it was just people airing their problems in public. The real "direct means of contact with techs and customer service in case you have a problem" is to email or to pick up the phone and call. The forums was just wasting time, because someone having a problem would oftentimes do all three, so someone monitoring the forums would try to help, only to find out they already got their problem taken care of, and of course the forums would just show the problem so people would think that we weren't doing anything to help. It was basically like a support ticket system, but public so everyone can see everyone else's support tickets.

Just pick up the phone and call.

Hmmm, ya that's more in-line with what I remembered, but I swear there was actual verbage that stated overclocking was covered. Anyways, my comment was more from a previous thread where your replies to a guy looking to RMA implied OC'ing was not covered and that they shouldn't tell you or mention it if they did, that's all.

As for forums, I'd agree there is the chance its going to be full of people who just want to vent and complain, however, I've seen quite the opposite over at EVGA's forums. Its so heavily populated with enthusiasts who actually own the hardware that its kind of like self-sustaining user-based tech support. They have numerous techs there too who are active in replying, so problems seem to be cleared up quickly.

 

[n7]

Eh, the top three i'd say most would agree on would be eVGA, XFX, & BFG.

Just to be the bad news guys, i'm sorry, but BFG did not impress me.

I got two defective overheating GTX 280s before finally getting one that wasn't broken, & it took nearly two months for that to finally happen.

The whole situation was a completely avoidable nightmare, & it angered me enough that it's incredibly unlikely they'll ever see another cent from me.

On top of the RMA crap, they completely ignored my email on getting a rebate back due to the price drops that occuring that people were supposed to get; never even got a response.