Don't Buy EVGA SSC Models If You Want Step-Ups and a Lifetime Warranty

I'm not sure how many of you know this, but as of January 1st of this year if you buy a SSC model from EVGA and you do not pay the extra money for the extended warranty you will not be eligible for the 90 day step-up (or one at all) and your warranty will be cut from lifetime all the way down to 3 years. I was made aware of this by one of my friends who bought a SSC GTX 460 who was going to step up to a GTX 560ti.

Here is the page "explaining" this policy: http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/extended.asp


I for one can not believe EVGA is doing this. People who buy the SSC models are either A. people who don't want to OC cards themselves and depend on the company to do so; or B. are hoping for a cherry chip that will OC beyond a standard chip.


EVGA I have been buying cards from you for I think 8 years and this is the first time I am ashamed to have your name on my card. Keeping the Step-Up and Lifetime Warranty for so long and then suddenly removing for SSC models is appalling. SSC customers are the ones spending the most money and they are trying to spend even more money by stepping up to another card. I have always told forum members and friends that your warranty is the best out there and the increased price of your cards are easily worth it because of this. However now I can't do that anymore and I am going to make sure anyone who ask me at work (Gov't IT Hardware Tech) or socially about what brand to go with that they should call you and make sure you can't back stab them from some random policy change you decided to put in place since the last time I was on your web page.


Most people don't even think there is a difference between a stock card and a SC or SSC model, but boy were we wrong. You must be picking these chips and/or components specifically to OC to these speeds (and it seems you question their lifespan). I just wanted to make this thread so this doesn't happen to anyone else out there. EVGA has always treated me well, especially recently. I just don't know what to say to this. You for sure are letting your customers down who decide to buy your "premium" cards.


Again here is the link: http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/extended.asp




I apologize if this has been posted before.

so, if u buy their overpriced non binned oced cards u get less benefits and pay more than the normal cards?


and im only seeing that its the KR cards on your link, and im seeing the sc (i cannot find ssc) on their site and it says limited lifetime like everything else that is not the lowest end.

edit- im seeing a bunch of them have a 2 or 3 but its random, like they want to confuse u.

Probly crazy amount of rma

but here is the weird thing EVGA used to cover OCing and even software volt-modding along with HS changes.

http://www.haliburtonlibrary.ca/money_tree.jpg

Zanzabar was correct I wrote this wrong last night. If they were binning the chips then the SC and SSC would have the same warranty. Only if the chips were no different would the warranty be changed due to clock speeds.

So this proves onces and for all SC/SSC chips are no different than stock.

It would be hard to buy an SSC card now even if you wanted to. Only SSC model I see is the GTX460SSC, none are available for the 500 series :shrug:.

well NVIDIA is starting to produce their own built cards so maybe they aren't allowing OC models anymore, similar to AMD.

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Originally Posted by STEvil

http://www.haliburtonlibrary.ca/money_tree.jpg

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Nice photo :D

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Originally Posted by LedHed

well NVIDIA is starting to produce their own built cards so maybe they aren't allowing OC models anymore, similar to AMD.

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the SSC was replaced by the FTW with high end parts

that has nothing to do with NVIDIA starting to produce their own cards again...

also the only EVGA FTW cards are water cooled with the 400/500 series.

EVGA still lists SC, SSC, and FTW cards on the box. I dont think SSC was replaced with FTW, the FTW has the hydrocopper water cooler while the SSC, as I understood it in the past was a higher clocked card with a binned gpu.

Im not sure if other companies are binning gpu's now but I know Gigabytes SOC cards are all binned.

find a 400/500 series card with the FTW chosen. Just because the name is an option on the box doesn't mean it is being sold. The only 400/500 FTW are water cooled, just try and find one that isn't and you'll see.

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Originally Posted by LedHed

find a 400/500 series card with the FTW chosen. Just because it is on the box doesn't mean it is being sold. The only 400/500 FTW are water cooled, just try and find one that isn't and you'll see.

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Seems you are right, cant find anywhere. Maybe those days are gone :shrug:

I ordered the asus gtx580 dc2 card, should get it today, gigabyte hasnt released the 580 soc yet. I have never had such a hard time choosing a gfx card before, normally I would just go with the SSC version but I really didnt like anything I had to choose from this time other than the FTW card, but I refuse to pay 699.00 for the FTW.

The best part is the Good/Better/Best part, the Good and Better don't have a Lifetime Warranty or Step-Up without paying more money. eVGA marketing really has me pissed off lately. (what the whole OP is about)

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Originally Posted by LedHed

The best part is the Good/Better/Best part, the Good and Better don't have a Lifetime Warranty or Step-Up without paying more money. eVGA marketing really has me pissed off lately. (what the whole OP is about)

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the non overclocked has the warranty still and so do the high end overclocked, its just the mid range overclocked that dose not but then some do. so i think that they are just trying to confuse the people who are buying in the lower brackets who wont know any better. and their warranty even if its a 2 year is still the best.

the best that doesn't allow them to step-up to a better card? Like my friend from a 460 SSC to a 560ti?

Also I don't consider a $225 card to be in the "lower" brackets.

EVGA, I am disappoint. :(

Their warranty stuff is all mixed up now, and if you warranty DOES run out, they tell you to GTFO and wont even fix the card. Not a company I would be willing to buy from...

Also if you do buy the extended warranty to allow step-up for the SSC cards that require it for step up:

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If you choose to Step-Up, the extended warranty will not transfer to the new product.

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http://www.evga.com/support/warranty/extended.asp

I guess their awesome warranty/step-up was really putting a dent in their profits. It is sad to see EVGA let their warranty fall to the average ranks instead of being the top when you buy certain OC'd cards.

I believe this thread should stay on the front page of the NVIDIA section until EVGA changes this or just to warn new guys that are starting the hobby.

Remember what happened to BFG?
I think these warranties are sadly no longer cost effective in the current economic climate and may sadly be exploited by OCcers constantly RMA'ing to find a card which Overclocks well. :(
Such a shame as eVGA were the last brand to offer more than the standard 24month warranty.
Hopefully if the economic climate improves we may see another eVGA of old.
John

We also knew about this sometime last year, I can't remember the date tbh

Extended warranties are always for additional profits. Its use is more to pay for the item to be examined at the front of the line and shipped with next-day or something. Otherwise, it's used to purchase an insurance policy and the rest becomes profit. On a car, for example, a $2000 Extended Warranty is $1200 towards an insurance policy and $800 pure profit. For a major appliance, a $200 extended warranty is like $80 Insurance and $120 pure profit. The EW margins are slimmer on computer components because it's a niche and most companies will self-insure.

Hold up hold up hold up. As far as I can tell nothing has changed other than the fact that if you have a KR card, you can purchase an extended warranty.

EVGA's warranty policies were never based on card names like "SuperClock" or "FTW". It has always been based on their product code suffixes -KR, -AR, etc. Names can always be and probably have been thrown around on different card series, like a 460 -AR might of been called a SuperClock has a lifetime warranty, but a 560 TI -KR which is also called a SuperClock doesn't.

Quote:

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* All -KR products purchased ON or AFTER January 1st, 2011 include a 3 year limited warranty from the date of purchase. Registration is recommended. Optional Extended Warranty and Step-Up™ eligibility are offered for purchase upon product registration of a -KR part number within 30 days of the purchase date.
* Products purchased ON or AFTER November 1, 2006 MUST be registered within 30 days of the ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE to receive EVGA's Free Extended Warranty. All products not registered within 30 days will ONLY receive a 1 year limited warranty. Refer to the following suffix guide to identify the length of your warranty:
o Limited Lifetime: -A1, -A2, -A3, -A4, -AR, -AX, -CR, -CX, -DX, -FR, -FX, -SG, -SX
o Limited 5 Year: -GR
o Limited 3 Year: -K1, -KR (Before 1/1/11)
o Limited 2 Year: -LA, -LE, -LR, -LX, -T1, -T2, -TR, -TX
o Limited 1 Year: -B1, -BR, -BX, -DR
o Limited 90 Day: -RX (Recertified parts)

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So basically, the warranties haven't changed. -KR cards still carry a 3 year warranty. -AR cards still have the lifetime warranty. Only now, you can buy extended warranties for the -KR cards.

Moral of the story? If you want lifetime warranty, don't look for "FTW" "SuperClock" or whatever marketing mumbojumbo naming crap. Pay attention to the product code.

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Originally Posted by LedHed

well NVIDIA is starting to produce their own built cards so maybe they aren't allowing OC models anymore, similar to AMD.

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When did AMD put this in play? I bought a Black Edition 6870 on 12/30/10, it is overclocked.

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Originally Posted by Telo

When did AMD put this in play? I bought a Black Edition 6870 on 12/30/10, it is overclocked.

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they didn't

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Originally Posted by Kyuusei

Hold up hold up hold up. As far as I can tell nothing has changed other than the fact that if you have a KR card, you can purchase an extended warranty.

EVGA's warranty policies were never based on card names like "SuperClock" or "FTW". It has always been based on their product code suffixes -KR, -AR, etc. Names can always be and probably have been thrown around on different card series, like a 460 -AR might of been called a SuperClock has a lifetime warranty, but a 560 TI -KR which is also called a SuperClock doesn't.



So basically, the warranties haven't changed. -KR cards still carry a 3 year warranty. -AR cards still have the lifetime warranty. Only now, you can buy extended warranties for the -KR cards.

Moral of the story? If you want lifetime warranty, don't look for "FTW" "SuperClock" or whatever marketing mumbojumbo naming crap. Pay attention to the product code.

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^ is the way it is. The differences are seen by looking at the product code. That's why I've been waiting for the last week to get a 570 SSC with a lifetime warranty vice the 3 year warranty :). You have to look closely.

I got screwed by them needing a name and email to use there software with or out without buying a product. I dont like to give my name and email out so when I wanted to try some evga overclocking software I gave a false name but the right email. Now I have two gtx470,s and cant register them for any warranty because I dont remember the name I used and it comes up as the email is already being used. I can make a new email but its past the 30 day time limit now.

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Originally Posted by fordf250

I got screwed by them needing a name and email to use there software with or out without buying a product. I dont like to give my name and email out so when I wanted to try some evga overclocking software I gave a false name but the right email. Now I have two gtx470,s and cant register them for any warranty because I dont remember the name I used and it comes up as the email is already being used. I can make a new email but its past the 30 day time limit now.

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I'd say you got screwed by providing a false name and not evga for wanting a name and email. I guess next time you'll have to decide if the software is really worth your name and email address....

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Originally Posted by josh1980

I'd say you got screwed by providing a false name and not evga for wanting a name and email. I guess next time you'll have to decide if the software is really worth your name and email address....

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This is what they want for info. All fields filled.

https://www.evga.com/support/signup.asp

I will never give that info to a company that could be sold to anyone.

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Originally Posted by Telo

When did AMD put this in play? I bought a Black Edition 6870 on 12/30/10, it is overclocked.

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you didn't get a built by AMD model like an OEM OC'd from AMD. You got some other company name on it who put their own OC'd BIOS on the card. NVIDIA announced they are going to start producing built by NVIDIA cards again, as in no in between company.

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Originally Posted by fordf250

This is what they want for info. All fields filled.

https://www.evga.com/support/signup.asp

I will never give that info to a company that could be sold to anyone.

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Then you don't have any credit cards, no "rewards cards", no "preferred customer cards", no cell phone, and no vehicle?

If you are true to your word, you are my freakin' hero right now. All of the places I just mentioned will sell your info in a second, and they do! If you can live like that you are a better man(or woman) than I.

Me personally, I have an email account and full fake persona for the people that require that info. I got a name, address, email, everthing, except a social security number. It comes in handy once in a while.

Edit: I think you might have missed my point. You traded fake data for EVGAs software program. Normally, I would be okay with it. But you screwed yourself by providing the fake data. You really have nobody to blame but yourself because you chose to provide fake data. You did have the option of not using EVGAs overclocking software, or even using real credentials.

But EVGA is screwed up, in my opinion, for asking for the data just to download the application. Two wrongs don't make a right, as seen here.

The reason there isn't these higher end Fact OC cards is that the GF100 and GF110 cant clock that high reliably enough for these cards to be produced. Would you produce a card with an OC that has a high probability of failing and dealing with the rmas or would you just not produce them? This is the question that companies have to face. The other option is paying nvidia for extremely high binned chips in order to do this. In summary they cant produce SSC cards because there isnt enough OC headroom and then you take reliability.

My SC has a 1.062 VID. It's stable @ 1.000V when running the stock speeds of 900 Mhz. But it refuses to go past that @ all. Binned my...

It depends. There are multiple versions of EVGA cards. Say GTX460 SC -AR and -TR, TR has a 3 year warranty and AR has Lifetime I believe. I had 2 GTX480 SC's with the -AR part number, stepped up to 2 awesome crazy low VID GTX580 vanillas :) Along with lifetime once again. Paid 18$ including shipping per card. You have to read their lifetime disclaimer a bit more indepth, I know I have.

Kyuusei is right. I don't know why you have a problem with evga's new warranty policy. non-AR cards never had extended warranty in the past, now you have the option.

And you should really just buy the vanilla AR card and OC it yourself. Most vanilla cards will OC to whatever level (FTW, SC, SCC...) you want anyway.

interesting

The problem I have is EVGA is famous for their Lifetime warranty and Step-Up program and unless you know about this situation you will get screwed just like my friend. No step-up; 3 year warranty.

The SC, SSC, FTW buyers should get the best treatment from EVGA for buying their most expensive models and putting OCing in EVGA's hand; now EVGA is admitting they don't bin their chips. Now EVGA is leaving them out to dry? It is pretty shady to me.

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Originally Posted by LedHed

The problem I have is EVGA is famous for their Lifetime warranty and Step-Up program and unless you know about this situation you will get screwed just like my friend. No step-up; 3 year warranty.

The SC, SSC, FTW buyers should get the best treatment from EVGA for buying their most expensive models and putting OCing in EVGA's hand; now EVGA is admitting they don't bin their chips. Now EVGA is leaving them out to dry? It is pretty shady to me.

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I think you need to get your head on straight, CHECK THE PART NUMBER, if he didn't purchase a -AR which is usually a 10$ difference compared to the 2 or three year variants, then he doesn't receive lifetime. It is that simple.

High end cards usually have lifetime, mainstream comes with multiple varients.

And plus it's a 10$ difference for purchasing a SC card, you just get piece of mind. Not shady, just typical corp hot heads, compare them to XFX, PNY, BFG, they are much, much better.

Makes me happy I bought an MSI this time!

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Originally Posted by LedHed

The problem I have is EVGA is famous for their Lifetime warranty and Step-Up program and unless you know about this situation you will get screwed just like my friend. No step-up; 3 year warranty.

The SC, SSC, FTW buyers should get the best treatment from EVGA for buying their most expensive models and putting OCing in EVGA's hand; now EVGA is admitting they don't bin their chips. Now EVGA is leaving them out to dry? It is pretty shady to me.

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You're blaming EVGA when you didn't familiarized yourself with their long unchanged policies regarding lifetime warranties?

Just bought or long owned an AR card with lifetime warranty? You still have it. Just bought a -KR card with a 3 year warranty? Grats you can now buy an extended warranty. NOTHING HAS CHANGED except you can now buy extended warranties on certain cards that never came with a lifetime warranty!

I posted this in a previous post but it seems you ignored it, so I'll post it again.

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Originally Posted by EVGA Website

* All -KR products purchased ON or AFTER January 1st, 2011 include a 3 year limited warranty from the date of purchase. Registration is recommended. Optional Extended Warranty and Step-Up™ eligibility are offered for purchase upon product registration of a -KR part number within 30 days of the purchase date.
* Products purchased ON or AFTER November 1, 2006 MUST be registered within 30 days of the ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE to receive EVGA's Free Extended Warranty. All products not registered within 30 days will ONLY receive a 1 year limited warranty. Refer to the following suffix guide to identify the length of your warranty:
o Limited Lifetime: -A1, -A2, -A3, -A4, -AR, -AX, -CR, -CX, -DX, -FR, -FX, -SG, -SX
o Limited 5 Year: -GR
o Limited 3 Year: -K1, -KR (Before 1/1/11)
o Limited 2 Year: -LA, -LE, -LR, -LX, -T1, -T2, -TR, -TX
o Limited 1 Year: -B1, -BR, -BX, -DR
o Limited 90 Day: -RX (Recertified parts)

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I just bought another EVGA GTX 460. Guess what? My card has a lifetime warranty. You know why? It's product code ended in -AR. Oh and it was a SC too.

Sounds like sour grapes.

I gave up on eVGA back when I was going through about 100 RMA's with my 680 & 790 boards. I spent more time on the phone with them trying to sort things out. It is just not worth there hype on what you get back in return. MSI, ASUS, SAPPHIRE is all I look at now..

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Originally Posted by Cookiesowns

I think you need to get your head on straight, CHECK THE PART NUMBER, if he didn't purchase a -AR which is usually a 10$ difference compared to the 2 or three year variants, then he doesn't receive lifetime. It is that simple.

High end cards usually have lifetime, mainstream comes with multiple varients.

And plus it's a 10$ difference for purchasing a SC card, you just get piece of mind. Not shady, just typical corp hot heads, compare them to XFX, PNY, BFG, they are much, much better.

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I got piece of nothing. My card will not go over 900Mhz period. I've seen EVGA's base model go to 1000Mhz. The binning seems more like, "Crank that voltage Johnny!"

Speaking of binning, I actually thought the EVGA GTX580 SSC-FTW is a better binned card, turns out I got the highest stock VID possible from that card! should have gone for a inno3d or palit GTX580 instead and saved $45

Kyuusei you only have 60 days to pay extra for the lifetime warranty and you still can not do Step-Ups. Most people don't go onto sites reading documents before buying from a company, especially one as well known as EVGA. If they can't back their OC'd cards then don't sell them, especially not at a higher price. They are ripping off customers who don't wish to OC themselves and remember this didn't happen to me; it was my friend who bought a 460 SC who told me. When he bought it the 460 SC was over $200, no one considers that "mainstream" that is where all the money is made for GPU companies right around $200 known as mid-range. I have a lifetime warranty on my card, but I don't think people who buy SC or SSC/FTW cards should be punished if they dont find an online document in time. EVGA should include that document in the box with the card, that is the most obvious solution to not screwing over your customers.

I couldn't resist not posting in this thread anymore.

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Originally Posted by LedHed

Kyuusei you only have 60 days to pay extra for the lifetime warranty and you still can not do Step-Ups. Most people don't go onto sites reading documents before buying from a company, especially one as well known as EVGA. If they can't back their OC'd cards then don't sell them, especially not at a higher price. They are ripping off customers who don't wish to OC themselves and remember this didn't happen to me; it was my friend who bought a 460 SC who told me. When he bought it the 460 SC was over $200, no one considers that "mainstream" that is where all the money is made for GPU companies right around $200 known as mid-range. I have a lifetime warranty on my card, but I don't think people who buy SC or SSC/FTW cards should be punished if they dont find an online document in time. EVGA should include that document in the box with the card, that is the most obvious solution to not screwing over your customers.

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1) Did you actually read the page you linked in the original post? The only thing that has changed is the -KR warranty and the only way it changed is that you now have the option to purchase an extended warranty and stepup options. As it previously stated on their stepup page only products ending in -AR had access to the stepup program. That has now changed to:

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Only parts that carry a limited lifetime warranty, or parts that have purchased an extended warranty, are eligible for EVGA's Step-Up. Read on for more details. Source

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So they are giving those with KR products the opportunity to buy the extended warranty and get the ability to do stepup with that. So you are complaining because they are giving people with KR products more options? Sounds like a pretty stupid argument to me. As previously pointed out WARRANTY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SUPERCLOCKED, SC, SSC, FTW, OMGWTFSUPERMEGACLOCKED!!! It only has to do with the ending digits of the part number. Now I'm not gonna put that info in because someone already quoted it in here but I'll say this again... WARRANTY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SUPERCLOCKED, SC, SSC, FTW, OMGWTFSUPERMEGACLOCKED!!! Lifetime warranty has not changed. Therefor your argument of SC, SSC, and warranties is completely invalid.

2) EVGA allows overclocking on their cards and this does not void the warranty. Overclocking doesn't effect the warranty of their products. Therefor your argument about overclocking and overclocked cards not being supported by EVGA is invalid.

3) You started a thread and a big complaint solely on the imho stupid and retarded incorrect information your 'friend" gave you yet the page you linked in your post includes none of the incorrect information you are complaining about. Please make sure your argument is valid before making it. Those who don't end up looking like idiots.

I'm sure you are going to continue arguing about pointless incorrect information but that's my 2 cents.

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Originally Posted by fordf250

I got screwed by them needing a name and email to use there software with or out without buying a product. I dont like to give my name and email out so when I wanted to try some evga overclocking software I gave a false name but the right email. Now I have two gtx470,s and cant register them for any warranty because I dont remember the name I used and it comes up as the email is already being used. I can make a new email but its past the 30 day time limit now.

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As for your argument the fix is even simpler. If you gave them the correct email address but wrong name then go to evga.com click member login, click password recovery, put your email in. They send the username and password to the email, then you login and go under my profile and change the name to the correct name. Then register your product. takes 30 seconds and you are done. I don't think there could be a more simple solution. For future reference the smart way to do it is create an email like spam@gmail.com and give all companies that email address and not your normal one. As far as not giving companies your name or anything good luck doing anything like buying a house, creating an email address, etc etc. Sounds like time to get your tinfoil hat out...

Not being able to register your products because of a lame excuse like that is simply because of ignorance and laziness on your part for not finding out what you need to do to fix the problem. Instead you would rather complain about it. You should start trying to fix the problems not create more.

My 2 cents

Nothing you say changes my opinion the form should be in the box with the card to tell the consumer about their card and the warranty/step-up change. It should not be a secret that only forum members with links know about.


Also (I'll say again) this has nothing to do with me, my friend told me about this happening to him and his 460 SC.

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Originally Posted by LedHed

Nothing you say changes my opinion the form should be in the box with the card to tell the consumer about their card and the warranty/step-up change. It should not be a secret that only forum members with links know about.


Also (I'll say again) this has nothing to do with me, my friend told me about this happening to him and his 460 SC.

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www.evga.com/warranty is a secret?

Don't blame EVGA for your friends failure. Seems pretty simple to me.

This thread makes me giggle :yepp:Let's take two scenarios and compare Mmmmmmkay.

Scenario 1

You complain there should be a note in the box about the warranty changes. Put it this way ignorance is no excuse. The fact that your friend was to busy to go and research the product he was buying is really no excuse for him not knowing the details. That's his fault for being ignorant. It's his money he should at least find out what he is purchasing. It's not like the EVGA fairy is gonna show up on his doorstep and be like..."Well sir we have these products and these are the rules I need to go now because it is expensive for EVGA to send me all over the world to explain this to our customers. Wouldn't it be great if they had like I don't know a website or something that explained all this?" Oh wait that's right they do.

Scenario 2

Your friend steals a car and gets pulled over. No one has ever told him that stealing a car is bad because he is an illiterate anal dwelling but monkey. When told he is going to be arrested for stealing said car his defense is that there should have been a sticker in the window that said "Hey stealing a car is illegal and stuff"

Either way it in no way is EVGA's fault LOL :rofl:

The absurdity of OP is stunning. The longer the thread goes the more it shows. So for the sake of OP, kill this thread.

Unless he wants to get roasted by flames.