Can/Should I trust B-grade cards from OCUK?

TallmanMikeUK · 8 Apr 2013 at 18:22

As above.

I'm looking to pick up a second card to CF with my current one and I've spotted a second at a good price in the B-grade section. Can I trust the cards bought there to have a lifetime/likelihood of failure similar to a brand new card or are the B-grade cards more equivalent to second hand quality?

I can live without a few accessories, manuals etc., but I don't want to gamble £100+ on something that's more likely to fail when the 90 day warranty is up.

Advice/experiences appreciated.

E/ Haha, never mind. Looks like the stock on the one I wanted has just been DESTROYED. Shouldn't hesitate so much next time!

Diagro · 8 Apr 2013 at 18:34

if its a card that you can RMA in the uk then its an ok buy

Menty · 8 Apr 2013 at 23:04

I had a B grade EVGA GTX460 as a temporary card for a while and there was just a little box damage, all accessories were there.
Card looked unused and was a little cracker for what I needed at the time.

MrMarvelous · 8 Apr 2013 at 23:09

Do B grade cards come with any sort of warranty? if they do then it might be worth having a go, just depends how long the warranty is for.

MeatLoaf · 8 Apr 2013 at 23:32

MrMarvelous said:
Do B grade cards come with any sort of warranty? if they do then it might be worth having a go, just depends how long the warranty is for.

90 days with ocuk and any remaining manufacturer warranty

MrMarvelous · 8 Apr 2013 at 23:42

Wow that's excellent! I might have to start looking myself about getting a B grade card when I want to upgrade from my 580.

Thanks for the info.

pooley · 8 Apr 2013 at 23:49

I have took delivery today of a B grade HIS 7950 for a good price, worth it in my view.

CEUOTC · 9 Apr 2013 at 03:11

GTX 560 Ti Twin FrozR II for £89 not so long ago, cracking card does well in my media center

bios updated and is now super quiet

worth every penny imo, you won't regret it.

gurusan · 9 Apr 2013 at 03:17

B grade items aren't less reliable or anything....they are just customer returns for whatever reason. Maybe they didn't need it after all, it didn't OC as high as they hoped...etc.

RetrogamerX · 9 Apr 2013 at 06:18

I bought a B-Grade GTX 660Ti for £149 as a backup card. The card brand new is £279. I got a deal right there

Davedree · 9 Apr 2013 at 08:04

Bought a sapphire 7850 dual x frpm here for £120 in dec 2012. Had doubts as whether it would be a poor clocker, or some fault with it.
But when it arrived was suprised to see it was a new card just came in a sealed anti static bag with no accessories as described in the writeup, oh and some haribo!
Its been working 100% at 1180/1400 for a while now

So from our perspective great saving and great service from oc.

joelk2 · 9 Apr 2013 at 09:25

ive only had 1 experience with a b grade item.

i bought a gigabyte 7850 b grade which turned out to be DOA. it was boxed with accessories but it didnt work.

contacted OCUK an they told me to send it back and then they gave me the refund (i had to pay the shipping though)

i bought a new one from them in the end as once id factored in the cost of selling the accompanying games it cost the same as the bgrade (which doesnt include the games anyway)

i wouldnt say id never trust a b grade again but i would think about it more than just a cost reduction.

VIPER258 · 9 Apr 2013 at 12:03

joelk2 said:
ive only had 1 experience with a b grade item.

i bought a gigabyte 7850 b grade which turned out to be DOA. it was boxed with accessories but it didnt work.

contacted OCUK an they told me to send it back and then they gave me the refund (i had to pay the shipping though)

i bought a new one from them in the end as once id factored in the cost of selling the accompanying games it cost the same as the bgrade (which doesnt include the games anyway)

i wouldnt say id never trust a b grade again but i would think about it more than just a cost reduction.

Did they refund the shipping as well?

waspy88 · 9 Apr 2013 at 12:16

I got a Gigabyte WF3 7970 with 2yrs 10 mnths warranty on it. Perfect condition with all the accessories. No issues with the card either. You can always buy it and check the warranty on the card and return if its too short for you.

I saved around £100 on my card so very happy about that.

joelk2 · 9 Apr 2013 at 13:29

silk300 said:
Did they refund the shipping as well?

no just the card.

Tute · 9 Apr 2013 at 13:35

My Dell U2410 was B Grade. It had clearly been opened for some reason but the screen itself has been flawless.

VIPER258 · 9 Apr 2013 at 13:43

Surley if the card arrives dead they should pay for postage. Seems unfair.

joelk2 · 9 Apr 2013 at 13:59

silk300 said:
Surley if the card arrives dead they should pay for postage. Seems unfair.

i havent got the return postage receipt anymore but i know it was £7 so isnt a lot of money but yes i do agree.

it hasnt put me off ordering from OCUK though.

varkanoid · 9 Apr 2013 at 14:25

evga GTX 580 bought B grade, was brand new and had full manufactures warranty.

seabiscuit · 9 Apr 2013 at 16:30

It is my understanding that if a card is returned as faulty, and confirmed faulty by our technicians, then we would refund the shipping. Please see if you can find your shipping receipt so that this can be sorted for you.
I will also highlight this thread to our RMA technicians so they can give more information to clarify this.