Driver Heaven Smackdown

[OS]

Originally posted by: klah
They expect people to donate money to support their site.

http://www.driverheaven.net/index.php?page=donate

Yeah at first I was kind of like, it's their dumbass money, but the fact that they're taking donations is pretty messed up. Hopefully more people notice that.

 

[nRollo]

n7:

While i apologize for my "lay off the fanboysim" comment to Rollo, i've seen seen far too many of his Pro-Nvidia topics & posts to believe he isn't biased.

Hmmm. Have you seen all my posts that said the 9600XT was the cheap choice, the 9800 Pro the $200 choice, and the X800XT PE and 6800U a coin flip? Or did you notice how when I went from the 9700Pro to a 5800@Ultra speed I never once said the 5800 was better? Only "about as good"? Same with my 5800Ultra? It would be hard to read all my posts, but I don't talk as much about ATI because they don't need the help most of the time. People for some reason seem to think nVidia is a latter day Al Quaeda and flame them every chance they get, it's ludicrous.

Myself, i have owned serveral Radeons, & my current card is a 6800 GT , which i love.

Really? Ive had five Radeons in my primary rig. (VIVO, 32DDR, 8500Retail, 9700P, 9800P) The 9700P and 9800P were primary cards for longer than any other card I've owned. I almost bought a X800XT a couple nights ago, because I need some VIVO now. I bought a Plextor box instead so I wouldn't be chained to VIVO cards*. Still think I'm "anti-ATI"? Or do we need to discuss all the other ATI cards I've bought over the years?
*and the jury is still out, I may end up with the X800 XT yet, will see how the box and nVidia's fix work

I am tired of hearing people claim they are not biased when every post they make slants them one way.

If this were true, I'd agree with you. While I don't post as much about ATI, people don't go out of their way to make them out to be some sort evil corp bent on world subjugation.

 

[boyRacer]

all i know is that rollo is a videocard freak

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: Pete

Originally posted by: wingm8
Rollo, who and where exactly are you quoting that he wants to destry the card because "its an nvidia card." He doesn't say that in his first post, maybe he does later on. Maybe you were kidding about that part of your post, I'm a little slow. Anyways, it would be a tremendous waste to destroy that card.

He does in the first few pages of that thread, unless he's since edited it out.

Actually he said the opposite, unless my reading skills are gone. I read that thread when it first opened and he said the card was extra as it was agp and testing was going to pcie. Specifically stated it was not picked because it was nvidia. I also had a post deleted, but never got banned. The banning happens when personal insults are involved (which should be no surprise). Driverheaven unlike Anantech does not tolerate any personal insults, except in political and flamezone.

Anyways as many mentioned it seems like a waste, but is his card and his choice. Not much different than the goofs here that left a 9700 sitting on the shelf, because they preferred nvidia drivers. I always will say, "give it to someone who will use it." But not like he is bombing some country and crippling children. Save the moral outrage for something worthwhile.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: ronnn

Originally posted by: Pete

Originally posted by: wingm8
Rollo, who and where exactly are you quoting that he wants to destry the card because "its an nvidia card." He doesn't say that in his first post, maybe he does later on. Maybe you were kidding about that part of your post, I'm a little slow. Anyways, it would be a tremendous waste to destroy that card.

He does in the first few pages of that thread, unless he's since edited it out.

Actually he said the opposite, unless my reading skills are gone. I read that thread when it first opened and he said the card was extra as it was agp and testing was going to pcie. Specifically stated it was not picked because it was nvidia. I also had a post deleted, but never got banned. The banning happens when personal insults are involved (which should be no surprise). Driverheaven unlike Anantech does not tolerate any personal insults, except in political and flamezone.

Anyways as many mentioned it seems like a waste, but is his card and his choice. Not much different than the goofs here that left a 9700 sitting on the shelf, because they preferred nvidia drivers. I always will say, "give it to someone who will use it." But not like he is bombing some country and crippling children. Save the moral outrage for something worthwhile.

Actually destroying a 6800U is not the same as letting a 9700P sit on the shelf. Choosing not use something is one thing, destroying it's value to everyone is another..

As far as saving the moral outrage, you can decide what's worthwhile, I'll do the same.

You're right in that it is his card and his choice to make, but sometimes when you see someone doing something really stupid you feel compelled to speak.

If he was setting fire to $1,000,000. instead of giving it to charity, would you be outraged? If so, the only difference between us is what you consider relevant to charity.

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: Rollo


Actually destroying a 6800U is not the same as letting a 9700P sit on the shelf. Choosing not use something is one thing, destroying it's value to everyone is another..

Of course you are correct. Sitting on your shelf it is just a vanity piece that can be used in promoting another brand. The ultimate proof that your active card is better. Now these guys at Driverheaven seem to be creating a video as some form of art for all to watch. Not really my cup of tea, but could easily be argued that making art is at least as important as having a vanity piece. This film may make others think about wastefull behavior. Still I am not in favour of conspicuous comsumption. Many own several cards, but rarely play games. Seems to me one card would be enough for running benchies - still is their money.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: ronnn

Originally posted by: Rollo


Actually destroying a 6800U is not the same as letting a 9700P sit on the shelf. Choosing not use something is one thing, destroying it's value to everyone is another..

Sitting on your shelf it is just a vanity piece that can be used in promoting another brand. The ultimate proof that your active card is better.

You're probably right for everyone in the world except me- I switch to worse cards just to play with video cards. (e.g. GF4>V5, 9700P>5800, 9800P>5800U, GF1>MAXX, Voodoo2>Banshee, etc)

 

[Pete]

Good joke.

I can see how this may be an effective use of their money (assuming they bought the card, which I'm guessing not) in terms of advertising, but you have to wonder what kind of audience they're attracting? And you don't often hear of a $500+, top-of-the-line (OCs to 500/1200) toy as "extra" on a site dedicated to its exploration.

Anyway, the pro/con arguments have been laid out, so no need to further bicker. It's a PR stunt, and we can each read into it what we want. I choose to do so with their article history in mind.

 

[ronnn]

Certainly it is your right to play with a 5800U and I doubt if anyone questioned it. Personally was not that interesting for me and probably never commented. I just do not get the moral outrage at driver heaven for disposing of their card to make a film.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: ronnn
Certainly it is your right to play with a 5800U and I doubt if anyone questioned it. Personally was not that interesting for me and probably never commented. I just do not get the moral outrage at driver heaven for disposing of their card to make a film.

My reasons:

A. I hate to see any high end card destroyed. (the way a car nut would hate to see a Mako Vette blown up, or an art lover might hate to see the Mona Lisa burned)
B. I hate to see irresponsible waste of that much money that could help many people
C. It's a vulgar display

If you've ever seen a post here by Edmundoab, the 3dfx collector, can you imagine how he'd feel if DH burned a V5-6000? I doubt he'd say "It's there's to what they want with".

 

[nitromullet]

While destroying a $500+ card is not the worst thing that someone could do, DH's actions still bother me somewhat. I personally like PC hardware and I treat my investments with respect. The destroying of this card is immature and reflects poorly on the entire site and the people that run it. Could anyone here even imagine Anand posting something like this? That would be ridiculious. In additon to the fact they they are true hardware enthusiasts, I think that AnandTech has too much respect for its readers that have to pay for hardware out of their own pocket to pull something like this. Plus, AT relies on hardware vendors and the relationship they have with them to bring us the reviews that they do. Maintaining that relationship benefits AT as well as its readers.

I imagine that DH probably receives sample cards from a number of manufacturers to test, and I wonder how their suppliers are going to respond. Is Gainward ever going to send them a card to review after this? Is nVidia? They would be right not to. No matter what DH says, they are destroying their product. Not to mention that they refer to nVidia's current flagship card as "aging".

I'm really not surprised that DH doesn't have any SLI benchmarks. It's probably because no vendor would send them a sample setup. By doing this kind of stuff they are ensuring that the hardware enthusiast community will recognize them as a second rate review site run by a bunch of unprofessional, immature idiots.

 

[gravioli]

I don't think he is wasting his own money. It was most likely a card that was donated by a manufacturer (the Gainward name is blurred out) for testing. If he wants to waste his own money fine, but destroying an item that was most likely donated isn't IMO....Unless of course they don't give a rat's butt about receiving future test items from manufacturers.

 

[Dean]

I say it's his card so let him destroy it. Destroy it good with lots of pics. Next week he should destroy an 800xtPE to keep it even. Oh wait, the x800xtPE's don't really exist, so he'll have to use a modded x800pro.

 

[DrMrLordX]

It's pretty obvious, from the thread, that there is a strong anti-nVidia bias to the whole stunt. They deny it actively, but hint at their own bias by way of failed subtleties. They're playing to a pro-ATI crowd.

The thrifty Scotsman in me cringes at the thought of such good hardware going to waste.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Dean
I say it's his card so let him destroy it. Destroy it good with lots of pics. Next week he should destroy an 800xtPE to keep it even. Oh wait, the x800xtPE's don't really exist, so he'll have to use a modded x800pro.

To keep what even?

 

[WicKeD]

I have never visited the website/forum because of the negative stuff I hear about them.

Nice job Rollo!!

Thanks!

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: WicKeD
I have never visited the website/forum because of the negative stuff I hear about them.

Nice job Rollo!!

Thanks!

Maybe you should look for yourself. If I accepted all that I have read about anandtech on other sites ..... Driverheaven is a good site if you are looking for modded drivers or help with programs such as driver cleaner and radclocker. If you are looking for unbiased video card reviews or wide open flame wars, look elsewhere. Actually I am not sure where to look - as all of them seem to have a bias. Could be that the problem is Nvidia and Ati supply the cards and advertise liberally.
:beer:

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: gravioli
I don't think he is wasting his own money. It was most likely a card that was donated by a manufacturer (the Gainward name is blurred out) for testing. If he wants to waste his own money fine, but destroying an item that was most likely donated isn't IMO....Unless of course they don't give a rat's butt about receiving future test items from manufacturers.

hmm.. is that really a gainward card? if so, someone ought to forward it to the manufacturer so they don't get any more heh..

 

[JackBurton]

I'm going to buy 10,000 6800 Ultras and destroy them. That ought to show NVidia.

 

[Ackmed]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: Naustica
People do stupid things with their money all the time. If he wants to destroy it, let him. It's his money.

I can't stop him, but at least I can point out why it's wrong.

People point out when you're wrong, but you dont listen.

 

[gururu]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
I'm going to buy 10,000 6800 Ultras and destroy them. That ought to show NVidia.

I liken it more to the noble idea of destroying our possessions to escape the throes and binds of capitalism, materialism, and the American way.

So DH kills a video card because its nVidia. I find nothing in their actions to take personally.

 

[WicKeD]

Originally posted by: ronnn

Originally posted by: WicKeD
I have never visited the website/forum because of the negative stuff I hear about them.

Nice job Rollo!!

Thanks!

Maybe you should look for yourself. If I accepted all that I have read about anandtech on other sites ..... Driverheaven is a good site if you are looking for modded drivers or help with programs such as driver cleaner and radclocker. If you are looking for unbiased video card reviews or wide open flame wars, look elsewhere. Actually I am not sure where to look - as all of them seem to have a bias. Could be that the problem is Nvidia and Ati supply the cards and advertise liberally.
:beer:

Maybe that's why I never visited. I do not used modded drivers, not need help with programs like driver cleaner and radclocker. That reason along with the negative things I hear, do not interest me in visiting. The negatives are not just here, but on HardForums as well.

 

[Pete]

Originally posted by: gravioli
I don't think he is wasting his own money. It was most likely a card that was donated by a manufacturer (the Gainward name is blurred out) for testing. If he wants to waste his own money fine, but destroying an item that was most likely donated isn't IMO....Unless of course they don't give a rat's butt about receiving future test items from manufacturers.

If he could sell that donated card for $450, how is destroying it not wasting his own money?

If it's a question of "wasting," well, I don't know how pricey web advertising is. He may well be getting $450 worth of eyeballs from this.

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: Pete
If it's a question of "wasting," well, I don't know how pricey web advertising is. He may well be getting $450 worth of eyeballs from this.

And if one of indicators of good art is creating controversy, he has done that as well. Anyways is snowing and he couldn't burn the card. So maybe he can have it both ways.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: ronnn

Originally posted by: Pete
If it's a question of "wasting," well, I don't know how pricey web advertising is. He may well be getting $450 worth of eyeballs from this.

And if one of indicators of good art is creating controversy, he has done that as well. Anyways is snowing and he couldn't burn the card. So maybe he can have it both ways.

Yeah, that's always the hallmark of "good art". :roll:

Like the "Piss Jesus" deal with the crucifix in a jar of whiz, much controversy, great art!

Kiddie porn, much controversy, great art!

And now "Jackass-esque" destruction of an expensive video card, much controversy, great art!








:roll:

Nah. They're all just self absorbed dumbasses.