[Editorial]
Video card technology is the crack drug of PC gamers and I like to ride the technology train when I can afford it. I wanted to share my personal experience with the vender EVGA so you can keep them in mind next time you want to buy.
The last machine I built was 3 years ago next month. I’m running Vista 32 and back then I had more money to spend on things like a video card and my patience was short so I went all the way and bought the EVGA 8800 ULTRA at my local Microcenter. Yeah, I know, that card was the prime example of the weird bubble video cards had be in and the price ballooned and permanently went down after that.
Anyway, my card recently died playing Mass Effect 2, and after much testing, BIOS reading etc. and buying a cheap EVGA 7200gs to use to test my system, I contacted EVGA, I had registered the card per their requirements when I first bought it, and logged into my account and began to converse via email with their techs. Took a few days and a few different people responded but everyone was professional and knowledgeable. I was issued an RMA and sent the specific instructions.
I never messed with overclocking my video card, and had ALL the original packaging and the very important Sales receipt. Had to send it to them, insured it, and a couple of days after they received it I was issued a new one and a few days later I got it. I HAD noticed in my user account the Part number of the new card was newer. That’s right, they gave me a 275 GTX SC (super clocked) and I put it in the machine and have been testing it. So far it has been rock solid.
I decided to go by 2 more fans to add to the 3 I already had, and moved a hard drive to the bottom of my case so my video card could get the full benefit of the new 120mm Antec Triway fan, which I set on the highest setting. I also bought an Antec VGA cooler, and then taped up the unused pci slot covers, which had holes in them. I wanted to make sure there was plenty of negative pressure so the fans could do what they do.
Test results were:
Antec P182 Case
EVGA 275 GTX SC, idle 44C.
BFBC2 at 1680 x whatever, medium settings and 2x AA, and 2AF, 84-85C
So next I decided to download “EVGA’s Precision” software, which is a very simple and clean app that lets you monitor your video card settings (RAM, CLOCK, FAN speed, TEMP) and overclock it if you like. I decided to see the cards fan speed. Noticed it is default at 40%.
So I decided to run it at 60% and then replay BFBC2 for 2-3 hours and see if it made a difference.
HUGE…………………
Card maxed out at 54C! After quitting the game the card was down to 42C within a min.
I think the software and the $25 in two additional fans with the new card will go a long way.
EVGA backed up the product, that was 3 years old. They gave me the most hardware equivalent to what I had bought, and of course like all technology in video cards, it was better than what I had. The process was smooth. I did have to manually remove the old card from registration and then register the new one (note the serial number is on the card (on a sticker) and NOT on the paperwork. The software will only add life to the product which is good since I dont have the money to buy a new one.
But when I do……………
It will be an EVGA card without question.
Not all cards are created equal and not all video card companies stand behind their products this well. PS. My last AGP box ran a 6800GT from XFX and they are ALSO an excellent company to choose from. That card overheated I believe and they took off the upgraded cooler I had added and transferred it to the replacement card!
Both of these companies are quality, and I can’t think of any reason why you should not buy one of their products.
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