Further Questions on Warranty etc

[Elemental_Dragon]

Thought this deserved it's own topic as it's slightly off topic in the other in terms of discussional matters....

What's Gigabyte's policy on changing coolers on their cards?

Curious, as I know there are a few companies that allow removal so long as returns as sent with original heatsink attatched... But others are no go and put stickers on the back plates to instantly VOID cards.

Also - what would be the possibility of "OEM Cards"? No one does it as of yet, but I know I'd buy them! Cards with no cooler, just reference design to allow easy watercooling? Obviously it'll be a specific market and will require a more specific warranty, but it would be nice if someone actually did it!

Would mean people buying cards wouldn't get confused over compatability. I know loads have bought the 1GB 4870's lately and over 50% aren't compatable with the standard block, and only 20% of that 50% are compatible with the non-reference blocks available.

I'm aware you simple could do a watercooled version, but for those who have their favourite blocks, it wouldn't really suit because there will always be someone who doesn't like how it's designed...

~Bex

[Beekeeper]

"Cards with no cooler, just reference design to allow easy watercooling" - I think it will not happen. As market for such products is very small. And also many warranty issues may happen due to wrong installation of own cooling systems.

Yes I agree with you about compatibility issues

[runn3R]

Hi Bex

VGA must be returned to GIGABYTE with original cooler. no VOID stickers here 

[Elemental_Dragon]

So.... so long as it's put back together it's ok?

~Bex

[runn3R]

correct.
assuming no mechanical / electric damages due to its installation.

[Elemental_Dragon]

So it maybe shorted but physically is ok.... and pieced together with no marks etc - is that ok?

~Bex

[Badbonji]

It only voids the warranty if you break the card or scratch/dent the components etc on it I guess.
Stock coolers on graphics cards aren't like cpu stock coolers, they tend to perform fairly well and are designed to cool everything on the card itself adequately, and dual slot coolers are plenty for me to overclock cards to fairly high speeds too. Only a minority replace the coolers especially for water cooling.

[Elemental_Dragon]

Yeah but I'm 1 of those "minority" cause I don't want my 4870X2 running @ 100% sounding like my hair dryer

~Bex

[Badbonji]

I have my GTX295 running 100%, still reaches 95C in games

[runn3R]

So it maybe shorted but physically is ok.... and pieced together with no marks etc - is that ok?

~Bex

regarding shorted vga GIGABYTE RMA needs to physically check it's condition before saying yes or no