Buying a GFX Card direct from Nvidia?

[Zoot]

I've only noticed just now that Nvidia seem to have the option to buy a GTX 1080, GTX 1070 or Titan X direct from themselves, and not their partners (Gigabyte/MSi/Asus etc.) on their website. They're all Founder's Edition cards of course, they would presumably be the same kit that's sent to reviewers on day one I'm guessing.

http://www.nvidia.co.uk/buy/graphics-cards/

I wonder with the poor stock situation shortly after the 1080 and 1070 were released, which isn't a problem now anymore - Would it have been better to just order direct from the source?

Has anyone here ever done this?

 

[Mysterae]

I don't know, and I also wonder about RMAs and their attitude to removing the cooler to fit a waterblock. I don't think they would be as kind as the likes of MSI.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Warranty would be the biggest concern. Vendors might offer better ones and tbh more than likely better support

 

[Zoot]

Yeah I wonder what the warranty situation would be.

To be honest from looking at reviews, I'd be more concerned about the cooler on the Founders Edition cards. The way it doesn't stop the fan in idle and how loud it is under load compared to the aftermarket cards.

 

[WYP]

I have purchased a GTX 1070 FE directly from Nvidia.

The box is an Nvidia branded box which is similar to what reviewers get with some samples. Delivery wise in the UK I received the GPU within two days of ordering.

All in all, I can't really fault Nvidia's service.

Aftermarket cards typically have better coolers, provided that you do not buy the cheapo blower style cards.

 

[Kaapstad]

Watch the NVidia prices on their site.

They don't tend to move with the exchange rate very much.

 

[shambles1980]

i dont know..
the best Warranty/rma service i have ever had was intell. and in terms of hardware nvidia is the same type of thing.
intell didnt waste any time. sent me a account number for dhl so i got free postage. and rma was done in less than a week..

if anything id be more inclined to believe that the mfr does not want to waste the time debating and returnin stuff and getting stuck in emails, when they could just accept the rma and throw the thing in the reject bin with the others and send you out a new one.
there is no way intell even tested the board i sent them. "the sound failed on it"..
As far as im concerned they visually inspected it for damage. found none thre it in a bin and sent me a new one.
i dont see why nvidia would be any different.. "of course i could be giving them way too much credit"
And i will say intell has been the best company i ever dealt with for rma..
Only thing they wanted to know was the issue. what i had tried to rectify it. and what the serial number was..
none of this where did you buy it, do you have the reciept yada yada.. i would prefer it if every company was the same to be honest.

 

[Wraith]

Got my Zotac 1070 FE from Ebuyer, two reasons behind that were price and the extended 5 year warranty really can't fault it.