Why?

[onebxr]

Why does Nvidia have such good warranties compared to ATI? Frankly ATI warranties suck compared to those offered by XFX, and EVGA. This is a major thing for me. Does anyone know why ATi subsidaries dont warranty as well as Nvidia subsidaries?
-1

[gvblake22]

Visiontek is the only company I know that supposedly offers a lifetime warranty on ATI cards. Other than that, ATI reduced their in-house warranty period a long time ago and I'm sure that has something to do with it. It's a good question though, but I don't think anyone can give you an absolute, definitive answer.

[Stormcrow]

I wonder...if my 8800 dies in 5 years, what'll they replace it with?
ATI warranties may have to do with ATI being a smaller company then Nvidia (only time it's really been in the clear lead was during the 9000 series) and RMAs eat into any profits the subsidiaries can make off marketing ATI boards.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

I wonder...if my 8800 dies in 5 years, what'll they replace it with?

Now, that is an interesting question!!!! If you purchase an 8800GTX now, at say, $500 and 5 years from now that card is pretty much low to mid range, would they replace it with a low to mid range card then, even though it is high end now?

Almost worth doing some research from the current companies!

[Capper]

yeah, the fine print does say that in the event the card you bought is "end of life", they can replace it with one of equal performance.

Also, some companies consider "end of life" for a product, the lifetime warranty....so once that card is dropped from the lineup, there is no replacement.

[Tyreal]

Originally Posted by Capper

yeah, the fine print does say that in the event the card you bought is "end of life", they can replace it with one of equal performance.

Also, some companies consider "end of life" for a product, the lifetime warranty....so once that card is dropped from the lineup, there is no replacement.

Oh really? Hmm, I've never thought of it that way. Makes a lot of sense though.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by Tyreal

Oh really? Hmm, I've never thought of it that way. Makes a lot of sense though.

PNY is one that does/did this, and it's a real shady practice. Some of these products can be pulled from store shelves within months of release, turning an enticing 'lifetime warranty' into a garbage backing.

There was some initial confusion with EVGA a couple of years ago, but they, along with BFG and XFX, have gone on record as saying that their lifetime warranty is a true lifetime backing.

[Tyreal]

Thanks Paul. Thats good to know. Lifetime warranties are great but sometimes I wonder if it's worth the price premium. There are two 8800gt's. One is 230 and the other is 280. The more expensive comes with a life time warranty while the other doesn't.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by Tyreal

Thanks Paul. Thats good to know. Lifetime warranties are great but sometimes I wonder if it's worth the price premium. There are two 8800gt's. One is 230 and the other is 280. The more expensive comes with a life time warranty while the other doesn't.

*Usually* you don't end up paying a big pricing premium, and sometimes it's actually cheaper. Both EVGA and XFX have been real good about keeping prices competitive. BFG, while having arguably the superior customer service out of the three (my own opinion), often runs higher than the other two.

EDIT: For example, the lowest priced 8800GT on Newegg is from XFX, which comes with a double lifetime warranty (meaning it can be transferred to a second owner).

[Tyreal]

Yea I guess thats pretty reasonable. Too bad it's for the 256mb version but even the 512mb isn't that bad. The prices are being gouged right now though.