Good Evening Everyone and Especially Mr. RT.
Anger which is converted into violence is the devil's workshop. Of course, we all have had occasions where we were under stress. Now "Stress" can be loosely defined as "that state of confusion when one's mind overrides the body's basic desire to choke the living crap out of some thermus rectus who desperately needs it" (I cleaned up a few minor portions of that quote).
May I suggest that corporate entities, especially Gigabyte, have adopted a sort of corporate arrogance with regard to their "puffing assertions" concerning their products, and have now arrived at an "expectation" that their unfulfilled products' performance promises will be either ignored, tolerated or forgotten in due course. However, the REAL EVIL is the fact that many commentators, unfortunately including AnandTech, are feeding at the trough of lucrative advertising funding to a degree that makes it is nearly impossible for any truly negative commentary to be forthcoming, lest that funding stream dry up, and others (who are willing to keep their mouths shut) will benefit from re-directed $$$ to their bank accounts.
It would appear that Gigabyte is a MAJOR violator of their word, and has an even more deplorable level of customer service, particularly RMA service. They (Gigabyte) are over "there" (Taiwan) and likely feel that they are insulated from the USA, Canada, and other countries, which might hold them accountable for their compounded untruths (a/k/a lies) to their customers. Query, I bet they would want to the our best friend if Communist China decided to take them back (by force or otherwise). Make NO mistake about it, there would be some huffing and puffing by the western powers in such an event, but NO ONE would be willing to start WW III over the fate of Taiwan!!
So we, the consuming public of the west, are left to take whatever sub-standard products that Gigabyte wants to purvey to us, and we are told to enjoy it that way. The true dishonesty is the lack of intestinal fortitude on the part of the numerous technical media organizations (again, including AnandTech) to be willing to "Tell It Like It Is!" That lack of truth leaves the rest of us to trying to decipher the scraps of information that sometimes become available to ferret out the truth regarding some of these half-baked products (GA-N680SLI-DQ6). However, not ALL of these manufacturers are that devious, a few even stood by their products, and replaced/repaired their N680i boards to meet their advertising claims. Unfortunately, Gigabyte was NOT one of those honest and forthright manufacturers!
Query Again, where was AnandTech to call Gigabyte on that failure to do the right thing?
Those are just some jolly holiday musings for your individual and collective digestion. Best regards to everyone - Blessed Christmas! TheBeagle :beer: