Graphics card manufacturers....

Computer_Freak

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Hey guys

im intrested in getting a graphics card (9800GTX), but i dont know which make.

I wanna get something renowned (ASUS, eVGA) but also something that has great cover on a warranty here in SA (either a dealer or support branch of company) as my dad is going to USA

So basically im looking for a list of manufacturers here in South Africa, and which one has the best warranty

BFG has a ten year for ppl outside the US, eVGA has a lifetime and XFX has lifetime, (but they all in the US ecxept BFG)

thanks guys
 

S1ght

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As far as I know, all the cards should be exactly the same but with a different sticker on :) so in your case where you just worried about warranty, BFG isn't a bad brand and I'm sure you'll have gotten a new card by 10 years from now :)
 

Computer_Freak

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yes but im getting it in the USA and bringing it here (legally with customs etc)

how will I be covered?

And also what it i dont bring it legally (which i wont, too much risk, if i get caught, i have to pay 20% of internet price, and the airport has really tightened security )
 

PeterCH

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Its a grey import. You won't have any warranty cover on it, unless you ship it back to the USA and they ship one to you, in which case customs will nail you this end again and you'll pay R1200 for shipping. If the item gets trashed en route by DHL, they won't compensate you either, unless you take out some really have duty insurance on the item.

Your only benefit of getting a 'same as local' card would be that u could find a fan for it
it it went bad, or they could fix it for you here but you'd need to pay the full amount as they won't recognise foreign warranties.

Since you can test the card (you're going to the USA to buy it) you won't have an out of box failure so the card should probably be ok as long as you don't oc it.
Forget about any warranties. Most electronics doesn't fail anyway.
 

Computer_Freak

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thats the thing my dads going. so he will just buy it.

hopefully there will be no out the box failure...

so what will be a good make eVGA? im looking at the 9800GTX SSC
 

quik

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In short, you won't be covered.

If you purchase a graphics card overseas the warranty won't be valid in SA seeing as it's classified as a grey import. Distributors in SA honour the warranties so if it's not purchased from them, they won't touch it.

So, if something goes wrong with your device, you'll have to ship it back to the states if you want to claim on the warranty, at your own cost.

As for brand, most cards these days are standard reference boards, ie they're basically the same. Only difference between brands is the bundled games/accesorries.

The best priced cards are normally the ones from XFX, Asus ones are a bit overpriced in my opinion.
 

quik

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IMO the cost saving in buying from the states doesn't really justify the risk, unless you can get it ALOT cheaper, which you probably won't.
 

Computer_Freak

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R2400 vs R4000

worth it.

I will see what ill do

I might even get a 8800GTS (same performance (litlte worse by 2 frames)) and that i might get from greece (i go there often)
 
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stefan9

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IMO the cost saving in buying from the states doesn't really justify the risk, unless you can get it ALOT cheaper, which you probably won't.

Not true entirely. When the 8800 series launched you could get the 8800gtx and ultra for R2000 cheaper in the states than here in lovely SA. And that applies currently to the 9800gx2. If you buy in the states you can get one for $600 dollar which means about R4500 while the cheapest local retail prices is R6300. So it's a massive saving on the high end cards.

It's a risk but if you have the cash I would go for it.

Buy EVGA or BFG they seem the most trusted from the online forums.
 

Glordit

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yes but im getting it in the USA and bringing it here (legally with customs etc)

how will I be covered?

And also what it i dont bring it legally (which i wont, too much risk, if i get caught, i have to pay 20% of internet price, and the airport has really tightened security )

Life time warrentys do not stick in SA only in the country they are allocated, 90% of GPU's all come with a 3 years Warrenty [well ones from Rectron & pinnacle] still it does not matter what brand it is: Zotack, XfX, Asus, BFG, PNY, Gigabyte, MSI, Saphire, Gainward, Twintech, Chaintech, Point of View, EVGA, Palit, Zogis, Leadtek... I have used many of these brands over the years and none have ever given me problems. They all made with the same chips and PCB some just have different memory.

IMO I would just buy one here atleast you know when it breaks you can get it fixed within the 3 year warrenty.
 

iDOL

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90% of all GPU's made come from the same production line in China. Even all those "fantastic" asus goodies all come from the same manufacturer and others like them - primary source of these products is Foxconn.

So you want to pay more for the name brand come over we can slap an extra R2k over the normal price for our "lovely" asus sticker.
 

eitai2001

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The only advantage to some other brands is the warranty, such as 10 years (I think) on eVGA and 3 on ASus
 

eitai2001

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Lol .. didn't even realise it was u C_F ... I replied to you in my Digital Addiction forum as well :p ... unfortunately I'm the only 1 that replied, seeing as it is only me and you registered :p
 

iDOL

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The only advantage to some other brands is the warranty, such as 10 years (I think) on eVGA and 3 on ASus

Like some of the others have mentioned, you don't find alot of them that honour the extended international warranties.

Folks who tend to fork out for the High End GPU's rarely hang onto them for more than a year anyways.
 

eitai2001

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AFAIK ... The local suppliers for eVGA and Asus honour the full warranty. I do agree that most people don't keep a card for too long ... me, until 2 months ago when I upgraded, I used a 3 year old 9550 ... so I stick with wat I got :p
 

Glordit

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I think the XFX Double Life Time Warrenty only aplies if you register your product online and when you sell it the person purchasing it from you still has the Warrenty on the card :)
 

Computer_Freak

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But i guess this is all with a local receipt...

So i guess i will buy here in South Africa....

yeah i know they are all made by foxconn but i was talking mostly bout warrranties...

And the 9800GX2 is $550 like R4000 so its WAY cheaper... 8800GTS is R2000

So yeah, but i will get it from here, but i was just checking
 
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