Video card dilema...

[Daudi]

Okay I fried my GF2 GTS 32mb yesterday..so I went to the store and bought a cheap gf2 mx card to get me by (planning on returning it soon for a refund until I figure out what I really want). So the question is what to get. I have 14 days until I can return the mx for a full refund so I guess I have that long to decide. I don't want to spend over 200 and I was thinking maybe getting a gf3 ti200, but is this going to be much of a difference between my gf2 gts which i can probably find for like 50 bucks? How are those Radeon 8500's? I know gf4 is on the brink and is going to lower prices considerably very soon...but like I said I only have 14 days to return this mx for a refund so I'm kind of in a dilema...??

Regardless of the store's policy, purchasing a product with the advance intent of using it as a "loan" is unethical. This thread is locked.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[Maggotry]

I'm sure the store loves the idea of loaning you a card for a few days. That's real uncool, man. :|

 

[ed21x]

<< I'm sure the store loves the idea of loaning you a card for a few days. That's real uncool, man. :| >>



relax, it's not like he's returning a damaged item or something like that... but if i was in your position, I would buy a radeon 8500 simply by the fact that I have one and currently enjoy it's benefits over my old voodoo 3 (heh, LONG time ago). or, you could just buy the cheapest card around and use it until the Geforce4 comes out and get a ti4400 or 4600.

 

[Maggotry]

<<

<< I'm sure the store loves the idea of loaning you a card for a few days. That's real uncool, man. :| >>



relax, it's not like he's returning a damaged item or something like that >>


That's not the point. What he's doing is unethical. The store will have to return the product to the supplier or sell it at a reduced cost as a "used" item. It's this kind of deception that drives prices up. It's no different than ruining your CPU by overclocking then RMA'ing it. I'll say it again..........that's real uncool, man.

 

[Katana]

Why would they have to sell it at a reduced price? From the look of the video card boxes I have, you wouldn't be able to tell if someone opened it or not.

 

[Jman13]

Because it is illegal to sell an open box item as new. The second someone opens the box to use it, it is considered a used piece of hardware. Passing a used piece of hardware off as brand new is illegal, and could get the store in serious trouble. So, they usually take 10 bucks off the price of the card and sell it as an open box item. Still, you're costing the store money, which is then reflected in the prices for everything else.

 

[Athlon4all]

I would have to say a GF3 Ti200. Won't have the driver issues with R8500, and it can be overclocked to GF3 Ti500 speeds.

 

[deadtree]

One should open a thread about LOANING a graphic card.

 

[FalseChristian]

I see nothing wrong with trying out a card. The guy may return but will probably buy another card that he plans to keep from the same store!

 

[bocamojo]

Maggotry, Please keep the ethics at home, and stick to the point of the question (which vid card to buy for under 200). This is a hardware forum after all, not a discourse on ethics and morals... Besides, the store will make money on this card any way they slice it. They have this neat little term, called "mark-up"...

 

[Maggotry]

<< I see nothing wrong with trying out a card. >>


There are many hardware sites that give you all the reviews you want about video cards. I don't "try before you buy" fits here. Besides, he's not even trying out the card. He's clearly just wanting a loaner at the store's expense.

I think he should keep the card and use it as a back-up in case he has another vid card failure.

 

[Woody419]

The Gateway deal is a great bargain, but you better hurry, the $50 coupon is only good until the Feb. 28th. Search for Gateway.

Use the card for a while and then sell it in E-Bay for $125 if you don't like it.

 

[Maggotry]

<< Maggotry, Please keep the ethics at home, and stick to the point of the question (which vid card to buy for under 200). This is a hardware forum after all, not a discourse on ethics and morals... Besides, the store will make money on this card any way they slice it. They have this neat little term, called "mark-up"... >>


I guess you're right. Besides, ethics is obviously a lost cause here.

BTW, that neat little term called "mark-up" is gone when they have to sell the product as a used item.

 

[Mavrick007]

If you want something as good or better than your old GTS, I would suggest the GF3 Ti200 for around $135 US or even go to the Radeon 8500 cause they are both under $200 US. These are your best bets right now for your price range and are both very good performing cards. You shouldn't wait two weeks to find out that there isn't something better out then cause the cards will take awhile to come down more in price.