So I've been researching for a new system, but have a question. Do you guys normally buy name brands i.e. Asus, Gigabyte, EVGA, etc. I'm asking specificly about brands like Sparkle, Galaxy or more important for me is Zotac. I can get Zotac cards for about 15% less than lets say a more recognized name brand. So I'm looking at a GTX 570 that normally sells for $320-350 us. I can get the Zotac brand for $279.00 after a $20 MIR. What do you guys think?
Name Brand Video Cards
- Thread starter Compequip
- Start date
In the computer world, the name brand is everything. If you buy something from a less or even unknown company, the quality is iffy. Zotac is known on Newegg and they seem good. I've never bought one of their cards before though, so I cannot attest to the quality.
Yeah, they're on Newegg and MC. Just wondering if it's smart move to save $40-50. Or spend the extra $$$ on a name brand.
FuryRosewood
Active Member
spend the $$$ and get an evga if you plan on keeping the card a while, the lifetime warranty can pay for itself if the card does fail. thats for nvidia cards at least, with ati id say grab asus or sapphire, im not keen on gigabyte for gpus anymore after the experiences ive had with them, however their motherboards are top notch imho
Yeah, I'm leaning towards name brand. I'm in no hury just building on paper right now. I figure before year end. I need to remodel my office first, then I'll be running to cpu in my office. This one strictly for internet, research, email, work and the family to use. The other cpu just for gaming. Reading on the forums, looks like some new cards might be out b4 year end...... Woot Woot, I'll keep my eye out on them.....
Yes definitely go for a well known brand name. I have an EVGA GTS 450, it's a great card for sure, and a bargain at £60 second-hand back in March 
Prior to the EVGA I owned a PALIT GT 220 (didn't think much of this card and quickly sold it) and several PNYs (6200, 8400) which were pretty good.
Prior to the EVGA I owned a PALIT GT 220 (didn't think much of this card and quickly sold it) and several PNYs (6200, 8400) which were pretty good.
Aastii
VIP Member
Evga, Zotac, Gigabyte, Spphire, XFX, MSI, HIS.
I wouldn't take a card from any manufacturer other than these, and I would also ignore completely the lifetime warranty, unless the only thing splitting 2 cards is lifetime warranty or standard 1-3 year warranty.
The reason for it is thus:
Look at a 3 year old card, a 9800GT for example, which was one of the "top" card Nvidia made at the time. You wouldn't consider putting one in even a mid range system now, because the most it can handle in newer games, unless you are on low resolutions, is lowest settings.
So, you will have, in 3 years time, a sub-standard card in terms of performance, but also a pretty useless card. A GTS250, which is a 9800GTX+ rebranded, can be bought brand new for $50, used, cheaper than that obviously. A 9800T is even less because of the power.
So you will have paid, potentially a lot more, for a warranty that is covering an outdated card that you could replace yourself for a couple dozen $ and save your time with an RMA request
I wouldn't take a card from any manufacturer other than these, and I would also ignore completely the lifetime warranty, unless the only thing splitting 2 cards is lifetime warranty or standard 1-3 year warranty.
The reason for it is thus:
Look at a 3 year old card, a 9800GT for example, which was one of the "top" card Nvidia made at the time. You wouldn't consider putting one in even a mid range system now, because the most it can handle in newer games, unless you are on low resolutions, is lowest settings.
So, you will have, in 3 years time, a sub-standard card in terms of performance, but also a pretty useless card. A GTS250, which is a 9800GTX+ rebranded, can be bought brand new for $50, used, cheaper than that obviously. A 9800T is even less because of the power.
So you will have paid, potentially a lot more, for a warranty that is covering an outdated card that you could replace yourself for a couple dozen $ and save your time with an RMA request