Question:
My review on the EVGA step-up process.
Alright folks, for anyone who has been considering the step-up program from EVGA, but have been hesitant due to uncertainties in the process, I will try to clear some of it up.
First off, I build my desktop in October and bought an EVGA 7950GT with the intent of stepping up to a DX10 card when they came out. I decided to go for the 8800GTX, and I submitted my request for step-up on November 11, 2006. Since the product was new and in high demand, I was put on a waiting list, until product was available for me. On December 18, 2006, I received news that there were 8800GTX's ready for me to obtain. So as you can tell, I waited a long time before I could even really process the step-up. The good news is that during that time, I still had my card, and I hadn't paid anything yet.
Now that an 8800GTX was waiting for me, the next step was to submit payment. So I paid the difference with a credit card, and then continued on with the rest of the step which was to pack up and ship my old card out to EVGA. So I packed it up very carefully ensuring that it was well protected and that I put in all of the items that came with the card. Then I sent it ons its way on December 22, 2006. The next step was waiting.
On December 28, 2006, I heard word from EVGA that they had received my card and were sending my new one out. Again a period of waiting.
Since I opted for second day air on my card, it came on January 2, 2007 fully in tact and brand new in all of its glory. So to sum up, it was a little under two weeks that I was without a GPU, and a desktop.
So to sum up, I was very pleased with the step-up process. They gave me credit towards my new card which was equal to exactly what I paid for it about two months earlier. I just wanted to post this so people have an idea of what the process is like, and realize that they won't be without their card for too long. Please post with additional questions or comments, I will respond as soon as I get the chance.
Answer:
Re: My review on the EVGA step-up process.
Thats a really cool deal. This makes it much safer to buy a card without fear of it becoming outdated, because if it does, all you have to do is pay the difference. Thanks for posting all the details about that, its nice to know its not just a marketing gimmick.
Answer:
Re: My review on the EVGA step-up process.
Great little review! I might do the same thing. Might get something like a 7900GS or GT now, then upgrade to an 8800GTS in a couple moths when prices drop on those cards. Now my question is will EVGA honor what other stores are selling the card at? For example newegg and zipzoom fly have the 8800GTS for $399 AR. If I paid $200 for a card now, would I only have to pay $199? Or would I have to pay EVGA what they charge, and that would most likely be ~$450.
Answer:
Re: My review on the EVGA step-up process.
Enjoy your new GPU lol. I checked it out a few days ago at a friend's house. Played Oblivion on his Dell 3007. It was really sweet and I was so tempted to buy one myself. Got to control myself though lol. Only plan on spending $400 on a new GPU and Im curious what ATI has up their sleeve.
Answer:
Re: My review on the EVGA step-up process.
nice review
comp usa has their own "step-up" program (it's called TAP) where you pay a little extra and you get solid service and pretty much hassle free RMAs. If your video card happens to "break" and your local compusa is out of stock of it, you can pay the difference and get a better card. But you have to pay the TAP fee on the newer card. You pay more money that you would with evga, but you don't have to wait ~2 weeks. Just another alternative that you might want to look into.
http://www.compusa.com/services/tap/default.asp
Answer:
Re: My review on the EVGA step-up process.
evga's program is really great. thanks for the feedback. 2 weeks is pretty standard when replacing comp parts :)
Answer:
Re: My review on the EVGA step-up process.
Thats a really cool deal. This makes it much safer to buy a card without fear of it becoming outdated, because if it does, all you have to do is pay the difference. Thanks for posting all the details about that, its nice to know its not just a marketing gimmick.
I completely agree, that is why I decided to get finish my desktop in the fall even though DX10 wasn't out yet. I had the piece of mind that I would be able to get the card when it did come out.
Great little review! I might do the same thing. Might get something like a 7900GS or GT now, then upgrade to an 8800GTS in a couple moths when prices drop on those cards. Now my question is will EVGA honor what other stores are selling the card at? For example newegg and zipzoom fly have the 8800GTS for $399 AR. If I paid $200 for a card now, would I only have to pay $199? Or would I have to pay EVGA what they charge, and that would most likely be ~$450.
The way it seemed when I did it was that when you initiate the step-up process it seemed like I got locked into whatever they were selling the card at at that time. You could always contact them and see though. I did contact step-up people twice and they responded by email within a day. Great service.
Enjoy your new GPU lol. I checked it out a few days ago at a friend's house. Played Oblivion on his Dell 3007. It was really sweet and I was so tempted to buy one myself. Got to control myself though lol. Only plan on spending $400 on a new GPU and Im curious what ATI has up their sleeve.
Yes, GPU is phenomenal. Still can't get over how powerful and large it is. F.E.A.R. is like a joke to it. It also came with Dark Messiah, which seems pretty cool.
If I'm not mistaken, you only have 3 months to upgrade after your initial purchase.
This is correct.
GTX? Thats good stuff right there Mark, benchmark that and fill me in ;).
P.S - Update your sig!
Well, in 3DMark06, 8800GTX came close to 10k. My 7950GT scored about 6k. Big increase in performance.
EVGA...
Step-UP AND your can CHANGE your heatsink fan without voiding your LIFETIME warranty??
I will never buy a NVIDIA card from another vendor again.
Yes, EVGA rocks! :)