Are unbranded/OEM video cards bad? $270 ATI 5850

Iolo

(I'm adrift without the Computer Build Thread...)

Normally TigerDirect's sales offer little of interest or little that is actually cheaper than NewEgg's regular prices. Today's hyped up Black Friday in April sale, though, has an OEM ATI 5850 for $270 and free shipping.

Counting shipping, that's more than $45 cheaper than the cheapest available 5850's on NewEgg (an XFX and a Gigabyte.)

I didn't know there even were unbranded video cards. Are these to be avoided for some reason? Lack of customer support? No driver updates? Is this a good deal or more trouble than it's worth?

Rook

Usually it's just the lack of warrenty. I would prefer to buy a vid card with a lifetime warrenty which I think XFX do.

mcdermott

Rook wrote: »

Usually it's just the lack of warrenty. I would prefer to buy a vid card with a lifetime warrenty which I think XFX do.

Yep...that part offers only 3 months parts and labor. I believe they do that because, in general, it will be the OEM (which is intended to be somebody like Dell or your just local computer shop) to provide support/warranty, not them.

Compare this to even the worst off-brand card, which will come with at least a year. Usually more like 5.

Is saving $45 worth the risk of having to drop another $270 if/when it craps out in 91 days? Because that shit happens.

Iolo

Well there you go. Thanks, guys.