Does it matter what GPU manufacturer I buy from?

[TheBigCheese]

Hi guys

I'm looking to upgrade an AMD R9 290X.

I can't spend a huge amount on cards, so the Ti series are out.

It seems that the Nvidia RX 2070 seems to be a decent mid-range card, often beating 1080s in many tests.

Question is...which manufacturer do I buy from?

Do they all have different fans on?
Do some run faster than others?
Are some worse with RMA than others?

I can't find any reviews that actually compare companies with like-for-like models so I'm a bit stuck!

Can anyone explain it?

Thanks!

For anyone interested this is the build I'm looking at, I've asked more advice about this build in this thread, but this was a specific query about GPUs.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

• 1 x AMD Ryzen 7 Eight Core 2700X 4.35GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail= £289.99
• 1 x Asrock X470 Taichi Ultimate AMD X470 (Socket AM4) DDR4 ATX Motherboard= £264.95
• 1 x Team Group Vulcan T-Force 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 PC4-24000C16 3000MHz Dual Channel Kit - Grey (TLGD432G3= £209.99

Total: £783.53 (includes shipping: £18.60)
​

 

[Kelt]

Buy the cheapest with a backplate and has good reviews.

Last time I looked, that was the MSI 2070 Armor.

It overclocked to the same degree as its £100 more expensive stablemate.

 

[Nasher]

There are differences in component quality.

 

[TheBigCheese]

Thanks guys, good to know. That's a great tip with the MSI Kelt, I probably would have overlooked that as it's at the 'cheap' end of the 2070s!

 

[Cooper]

Fans all do the same job, keep the cards at safe temps, the only difference tends to be how fast they spin to do that, cheaper cards can have smaller fans or less blades so need to spin faster, adding to noise.

The more expensive AIB cards supposedly come with the 'A' grade GPU silicon, to allow for better overclocking, at least in theory.

When it comes to an RMA, its basically a case of the least worse company, because the whole RMA procedure generally sucks donkey balls regardless of card manufacturer. Its best not to think about this until you have to

 

[TheBigCheese]

lol cheers Cooper. I'm going to go with Zotac, they have a 5 year warranty and I think I read elsewhere here that's it's all handled through OCUK, so that'll do me!

 

[Quartz]

Question is...which manufacturer do I buy from?

Buy from a manufacturer with UK RMA - handling by OCUK is obviously the best.

 

[Calo]

Some may disagree with this, but i avoid triple fan cards now as the last one i had, one of the fans broke a month before the three year warranty was up. Its just one more chance of something failing if you have three vs two. Their uk RMA was extremely easy to use however, but would rather get a better two fan vs cheaper three. Oh, and watch out for pcb sag on long cards.

Id also go with Zotac or EVGA for their long warranties if you plan to keep it for ages

 

[TheBigCheese]

Zotac have a UK RMA so I'm good there Quartz, cheers.

You may have a point there Calo, on the other hand would a 3 fan system be cooler and keep the components going for longer? Who knows!

Still, I've ordered now so fingers crossed for when it gets here. Thanks everyone for the help!

 

[ukxenon]

Id also go with Zotac or EVGA for their long warranties if you plan to keep it for ages

I agree with you 110% my personal choice has always been evga

 

[BallisticGT3]

There are differences in component quality.

So which manufacturers are using the better quality components?

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I'm going to go with Zotac, they have a 5 year warranty

Bear in mind the 5 year warranty offer is time limited so make sure you request it straight away when you get your card. And, if I remember correctly the last 2 years are handled by Zotac as opposed to the retailer.