EVGA vs BFG vs XFX

[cmdrdredd]

Looking at the GTX280 cards and having a hard time deciding which one to order.

XFX card is $459 with a $50 rebate from newegg 602Mhz core clock.
BFG card is $434 no rebate and has 665Mhz core clock.
EVGA SSC Edition is $439 with a $30 rebate. Core clock is 648Mhz.

As I understand all these have lifetime warranty.

Which is the better card. Are factory overlocked Nvidia cards really worth it because I found the XFX card much cheaper than either of the factory overclocked cards even after you calculate the rebate from them.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Although most cards will overclock to BFG levels, I would personally go with the BFG card. It has a 100 day step-up program and is only a few bucks more for the gaurenteed clock speed.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Dell.com has the XFX (non overclocked) card for $383.

Is it worth paying a bit extra for the factory overclock? On ATI cards there isn't many manufacturers who have a lifetime warranty which I value because you never know. So I don't even look at clock speeds.

 

[n7]

I never assume rebates will even come back, so BFG is actually the cheapest as far as i am concerned, which makes it a no brainer between those three anyway.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Honestly, I do not think you can go wrong with any of those choices. Those are top teir partners with nVidia.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Originally posted by: n7
I never assume rebates will even come back, so BFG is actually the cheapest as far as i am concerned, which makes it a no brainer between those three anyway.

I used to feel the same way, but ever since 2 years ago, when I decided to document everything and place it away in file, I have had 100% success with rebates. I filed about 10-12 in the last two years ranging from $10 to $100 and they have always come through.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Dell.com has the XFX (non overclocked) card for $383.

Is it worth paying a bit extra for the factory overclock? On ATI cards there isn't many manufacturers who have a lifetime warranty which I value because you never know. So I don't even look at clock speeds.

Well factory overclock is just that, a guaranteed performance level. I've personally had very good experiences with overclocking stock NV parts to similar speeds as the max overclocked parts. There's certainly an element of "faith" in the manufacturer I suppose if you take that chance.

Personally I don't mind spending a bit more on the overclocked part. Typically the increase in clock and real performance % is about the same as the increase in price.

Also I think the XFX and EVGA include Far Cry 2, so if you don't have that yet that could be extra incentive. The EVGA one will also include a free version of Vantage.

 

[n7]

Eh, i actually have had very good success with rebates as well, but i really hate them to the point where i pretty much won't buy products with them anymore unless the price is reasonable without them.

Rebates need to die.

Companies like BestBuy/FutureShop ceased doing them a while back here, but sadly, half the crap on a typical NCIX sale is AR this, AR that...annoying BS.

But back on topic, i personally wouldn't spend a lot extra on OCed version cards.

I don't know deals well in the US, but the XFX @ Dell mentioned is the sorta one i'd go for...you can likely OC it a bit if you so desire anyway.

Edit: I forgot to mention the warranty thing, but CP5670 did.
If you resell your card like most us on AT do, XFX lets the new owner get the same warranty :thumbsup:
eVGA & BFG force you to register to get more than 1 yr warranty (which i never got around to doing, so only 1 yr. here :frown: ), & if you register, you now just tied the card to you, so the newer owner cannot get the lifetime warranty anyway.

Absolutely BS actually IMO on eVGA/BFG's part.
And all three require registration to even get a lifetime warranty.
More BS.

 

[CP5670]

Yes, the Dell XFX seems to be the best choice. Most of these cards hit at least 660 or so anyway.

XFX also has the best warranty since it's transferrable, although it doesn't include a 6-pin to 8-pin adapter while the others do. That may or may not matter to you.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Originally posted by: n7
Eh, i actually have had very good success with rebates as well, but i really hate them to the point where i pretty much won't buy products with them anymore unless the price is reasonable without them.

Rebates need to die.

Companies like BestBuy/FutureShop ceased doing them a while back here, but sadly, half the crap on a typical NCIX sale is AR this, AR that...annoying BS.

I am in full agreement with you.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Thanks for the fast replies all. To answer you CP5670, my PSU which I just got this week has 4x 6+2pin PCI-E connectors so I'm good there.

Also, I'm curious. What is the stock shader and memory speed on a GTX280?

Yes I too hate rebates sometimes. It seems like they always advertise rebates to show a lower price but at checkout you have to pay that extra $30 now.

Looks like I'm going through Dell.

 

[bryanW1995]

interesting info about the warranties and registrations. I would have said evga before just based upon reputation, but now I'd have to agree that the dell deal on the xfx is definitely the way to go.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
interesting info about the warranties and registrations. I would have said evga before just based upon reputation, but now I'd have to agree that the dell deal on the xfx is definitely the way to go.

Now I see zipzoomfly.com has the EVGA card for $359 before $30 MIR and the XFX card for $365 before $50 MIR. The EVGA card qualifies for the free copy of FarCry 2 as well. They aren't the overclocked cards, but from what I've read on reviews the overclocked cards are a marginal difference in the real world.

 

[Bman123]

get the cheapest card before rebate.You are never guaranteed to get back a rebate so I always go for the cheapest of the big 3

 

[cmdrdredd]

yeah I hear ya

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: chizow
Also I think the XFX and EVGA include Far Cry 2, so if you don't have that yet that could be extra incentive. The EVGA one will also include a free version of Vantage.

All the major partners offer FarCry2 with the GTX 280. BFG also offers Vantage, and was the first one to do so (EVGA followed suit the next day because they didn't want to be left behind, just like with the lifetime warranty and tech support ).

Originally posted by: n7
eVGA & BFG force you to register to get more than 1 yr warranty (which i never got around to doing, so only 1 yr. here :frown: ), & if you register, you now just tied the card to you, so the newer owner cannot get the lifetime warranty anyway.

Absolutely BS actually IMO on eVGA/BFG's part.

Until early this year, BFG did not require registration and was the only company out of the big three to not have such a requirement. Except for XFX with their 1+1, EVERYONE had a warranty limited to the original owner. BFG just didn't enforce it. That changes with requiring registration.

It's like this: There is a road near your house that has a speed limit of 55MPH but everyone goes 80MPH because of lax enforcement. Finally, due to increasing accidents, the powers that be starts enforcing the speed limit through having police officers patrol that road, and ticketing people who drive at excessive speeds.

Of course everyone complains.

With BFG, I guess the decision was made to enforce the rules of the warranty that already existed. After all, if EVGA can become one of the most popular online brands while requiring registration, why not? At least BFG has not diluted the brand by advertising lifetime warranties so much that everyone believes it, and then selling the majority of the product without a lifetime warranty.

Back to warranties in general... I'm a consumer and enthusiast, and as one I know exactly what I want when I buy a product. I want the absolute best quality at the cheapest price with the most lax return policy with no restocking fee, with a hassle-free and transferrable unlimited lifetime warranty which allows me to modify the product to my heart's desire and run it outside of spec if I desire...

The company that offers such service will have my business forever... until they go bankrupt in a few years.

Originally posted by: n7And all three require registration to even get a lifetime warranty.
More BS.

So, you are free to buy a product that does not have a lifetime warranty. No need to register for a 1-3 year warranty for other brands.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: chizow
Also I think the XFX and EVGA include Far Cry 2, so if you don't have that yet that could be extra incentive. The EVGA one will also include a free version of Vantage.

All the major partners offer FarCry2 with the GTX 280. BFG also offers Vantage, and was the first one to do so (EVGA followed suit the next day because they didn't want to be left behind, just like with the lifetime warranty and tech support ).

Originally posted by: n7
eVGA & BFG force you to register to get more than 1 yr warranty (which i never got around to doing, so only 1 yr. here :frown: ), & if you register, you now just tied the card to you, so the newer owner cannot get the lifetime warranty anyway.

Absolutely BS actually IMO on eVGA/BFG's part.

Until early this year, BFG did not require registration and was the only company out of the big three to not have such a requirement. Except for XFX with their 1+1, EVERYONE had a warranty limited to the original owner. BFG just didn't enforce it. That changes with requiring registration.

It's like this: There is a road near your house that has a speed limit of 55MPH but everyone goes 80MPH because of lax enforcement. Finally, due to increasing accidents, the powers that be starts enforcing the speed limit through having police officers patrol that road, and ticketing people who drive at excessive speeds.

Of course everyone complains.

With BFG, I guess the decision was made to enforce the rules of the warranty that already existed. After all, if EVGA can become one of the most popular online brands while requiring registration, why not? At least BFG has not diluted the brand by advertising lifetime warranties so much that everyone believes it, and then selling the majority of the product without a lifetime warranty.

Back to warranties in general... I'm a consumer and enthusiast, and as one I know exactly what I want when I buy a product. I want the absolute best quality at the cheapest price with the most lax return policy with no restocking fee, with a hassle-free and transferrable unlimited lifetime warranty which allows me to modify the product to my heart's desire and run it outside of spec if I desire...

The company that offers such service will have my business forever... until they go bankrupt in a few years.

Originally posted by: n7And all three require registration to even get a lifetime warranty.
More BS.

So, you are free to buy a product that does not have a lifetime warranty. No need to register for a 1-3 year warranty for other brands.

Wow with the bold text lol...also Far Cry 2 does not come with XFX part #GX-280N-ZDF but Asassin's Creed does. The part #GX-280N-ZDFF does but is a lot more expensive before rebate and is the same card. The ZDF model is discontinued and discounted at retailers with a single lifetime warranty (i'm not worried about double lifetime).

 

[badnewcastle]

All three are good choices...

REBATES - need to die for everything from diapers to computer parts to cars...

Registering within 30 days is the least I can do for a lifetime warranty. It takes 2 minutes if your slow.

XFX is cool to allow you to pass on the warranty, mine hasn't broke yet. I've had very good luck with all three vendors and BFG replaced a 6800 GT OC 256 during my 4th year of ownership because it died. EVGA has replace an 8800gt for.

EVGA also comes with Far Cry 2, Vantage and Precision OC tool which is nice and easy to use. I've been able to max all 3 vendors cards out past their factory options using software only... I believe BFG offers FC2 as well and a flashlight? Or is that dead?

 

[eddiebravo]

cant go wrong with either. personally id go for the bfg since it is the cheapest ignoring the sometimes shady rebate offers. all have great warranties and make great cards, so it really doesnt matter. i will say that i am still using a bfg 6800gt and it runs as well as the day i bought it however many years ago.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Wow with the bold text lol...

Whoops, closing tag fail.

 

[Extelleron]

I always end up going with eVGA; I've never had a problem with their cards and their customer support is very good.

IMO though you should consider getting a GTX 260 Core 216, the GTX 280 is ~70% more expensive and provides maybe 10% higher performance. You can get an eVGA GTX 260 216 for $247.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130398

 

[Leyawiin]

When all other things are equal, EVGA's customer service is second to none. I'd pay a little more for it. The other two are fine in that area as well (BFG in particular). EVGA is just a little "extra" good about making sure customers are happy should something go wrong or if they want to use the 90 step up.

 

[MustangSVT]

I really enjoyed BFG and XFX cards. IMO XFX has a bit better feel to it. but mostly due to black pcb ^_^

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Extelleron
I always end up going with eVGA; I've never had a problem with their cards and their customer support is very good.

IMO though you should consider getting a GTX 260 Core 216, the GTX 280 is ~70% more expensive and provides maybe 10% higher performance. You can get an eVGA GTX 260 216 for $247.99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130398

I can't do the core 216 because at 1920x1200 it's not playable in some games (fallout 3 for example) at high levels of AA (8x).

Thanks for the replies guys. I found a local computer shop who price matced ZZF's EVGA GTX280 which was $359.99. I had to call around and check prices and one small shop said he would be willing to match a price to get a sale and I directed him to ZZF. He was surprised to see it so cheap, but he did it for me.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: MustangSVT
I really enjoyed BFG and XFX cards. IMO XFX has a bit better feel to it. but mostly due to black pcb ^_^

Last time I checked (which was ah hour ago) the BFG GTX 280 also used a black PCB, not that you'd notice with the enclosed cooling unit. Then again, all brands have black PCBs with their GTX 280, for some obscure reason.