EVGA Step-UP Scheme

[KWJay]

Hi people.

Just wondering if anyone has used EVGA's european step-up and what their experiences were, where they had to send their cards, average time they waited after sending their card(s) off etc?

I currently have 18 days left to act on my step-up and am gonna wait til the last moment to see if the die-shrunk variants appear but if not probably gonna see what the options are when i apply for it.

Any and all info greatly appreciated as always guys!

 

[Kribby2006]

Stepped up from a EVGA 7900 Signature series to the 8800 GTS 640MB when they came out.

This was back in 06 when the step up process was quite new in the UK and my old card went to Germany.

Had to pay the difference via bank transfer which cost 20 quid but it was fine and the whole process took around 2 weeks once I had been accepted.

As far as I can remember, overall it wasn't to bad, long time ago now mind.

Krib.

 

[KWJay]

Thanks Krib.

I find it hard to believe that Kribby is the only person on these forums who's been through the step-up, anyone else with any info?

 

[easyrider]

No one uses the step due to the best way of upgrading is selling your old card and buying a new one.

Usually works out cheaper and less hassle this way.

The EVGA stepup is a gimmick IMO and lots of others.

 

[ACESHIGH]

No one uses the step due to the best way of upgrading is selling your old card and buying a new one.

Usually works out cheaper and less hassle this way.

The EVGA stepup is a gimmick IMO and lots of others.

Yep, thats pretty much spot on.

 

[arc@css]

I was considering an EVGA card, put up a post the other day talking about such like, and I must admit the step up program did nearly sway me. In the end I did change my mind and budget though.

 

[KWJay]

Well, i paid £199 for my 260, doubt i'm gonna get that back by selling 2nd hand so as long as i get that towards to price of a new card i think the step-up option will be the best for me. Hoping to get a GTX Core216 for as little as possible, but i'll see what options are available.

 

[gt_junkie]

Looking at the performance figures i'd not bother. You'd only get a marginal increase in performance for the additional outlay from what i've heard.

gt

 

[Greebo]

No one uses the step due to the best way of upgrading is selling your old card and buying a new one.

Usually works out cheaper and less hassle this way.

The EVGA stepup is a gimmick IMO and lots of others.

No. It can work and does but only under certain circumtances.

First the cons:

You have to pay shipping.
You can only use the price you paid for the original card, not the list price (so if you shopped around and got it cheap then that money is lost)
EVGA website prices for cards are just about the most expensive you can find.

SO generally it does work out cheaper to sell your old card and just buy a new one from ocuk or wherever.

However, when it does work is when a new card is just about to be released and cards are dropping in price and also if there is a "special" bundled game offer available.

For example, if you bought a 8800GT KO with crysis for £220 when there were available, you would get the full £220 allowance against an upgrade and you get to keep the game. Then when ATI launched the 4850 and you could then get a 9800GTX for under £200, you could have stepped up for the cost of postage.

Same thing worked if you bought an old 8800GTS 320mb just before the 8800GT came out. It was free to swap.

In theory, if you got your timing right, you could have bought a 9800GTX and stepped up to GTX260 for no cost as well.

As said, it doesn't work if graphics cards are rising in prices or the new cards are more money so it is a gamble.

On the other hand EVGA warranty is very good and if you buy a pre-overclocked card they are properly cherry pciked.

 

[KWJay]

according to the EVGA website, the standard GTX 260 and the Core216 GTX 260 are both the same value. I might apply for it, see what kind of deal i can get, i can always not bother! lol!