Motherboard decision

[Scubasage]

So I've confirmed that my motherboard in my new PC is fried, which really sucks as I shelled out extra cash to pick up an Asus Rampage III Extreme and have it crap out a couple of days after the purchase. Sadly, tomorrow is the last day of the store's 15 day warranty, whether it's pretty much "We'll fix it, no questions", and I don't have a way to get the computer there. So now I'm looking at 2 options.

Option 1) Bring it to them anyway and have them RMA the board (as per Asus' instructions). I have no idea how much this would cost me, not counting shipping. I don't even know what exactly the Asus Warranty covers (their website doesn't explain much and the manual says nothing at all. This is what they have to say about it, taken directly from their website.

ASUS manufacturer’s warranty is a limited warranty. Hardware, manufacturing, or power related issues are covered under this limited warranty. This limited warranty does not cover any third-party software applications and or programs; non-ASUS products and or non-ASUS branded peripherals.

ASUS guarantees that the product you have purchased is free from defects in materials or workmanship under normal use during the Limited Warranty Period. You are entitled to a hardware warranty service if a repair is required within the limited warranty period.

During the limited warranty period, ASUS will, at its sole discretion, repair or replace any defective component. All spare-parts or module removed under this limited warranty become the property of ASUS.

Warranty service does not include

-New retail box replacement

-Credit

-Upgrades or model changes

-Refunds

Would a fried motherboard count under hardware/power related issues?

Option 2) I just head out and buy a new motherboard. The only problem with this option is that I already spent so much on the first one, I can't feasibly get a second one of the same level. I'm looking at an Asus Sabertooth (and I was looking at that originally before I found a much cheaper vendor that allowed me to upgrade to the R3E without raising the final price of the comp that much compared to the other vendor). It's pretty much the best board available that fits into my budget, and although I will miss the 3rd and 4th PCIe 2.0 slots on the R3E, I don't actually need them (Currently using a single GTX 460, just picked up a second today. I doubt I will upgrade from this for a long time, besides MAYBE getting a physX card if more games supporting it come out and I want to play them).

The waiting for the RMA means nothing to be honest, what matters is which one will be cheaper? I can get a Sabertooth locally for just shy of $250, taxes included. My worry is that what happened to my board (don't know what, but it seems to be fried) won't be covered by Asus' warranty and they will basically ask me to buy another one.

Your thoughts?

 

[tinytomlogan]

if you have an RE3 you have at least 24 months waranty fella so get it replaced first

If anything untoward has happened it may well have been user error and happen to the next mobo aswell no matter what it is.

 

[Scubasage]

if you have an RE3 you have at least 24 months waranty fella so get it replaced first

If anything untoward has happened it may well have been user error and happen to the next mobo aswell no matter what it is.

It's definitely user error that caused the problem, though I'm not certain on whether it was me or the store that caused it. While I didn't have an anti-static wrist strap, I was working barefoot on cement (comp was sitting on wood), and I would touch the metal casing of my power supply (plugged into the wall but the power off) before and after touching every piece, when I was routing the wires to make them cleaner, I didn't even actually remove or change any parts except for the fans on the CPU cooler (Corsair H70, just changed direction is all). It was after this that the board got fried. Found a couple of screws in the case where they shouldn't have been, those were definitely errors on the store's part.

If I decide to buy the sabertooth, then I will be building the rig at a friend's house, where he has an anti-static wrist strap and an anti-static mat to work on, to make sure I'm grounded, which is the only user error that is really possible in the previous instance.

Like I said, I'm not using all the features of the R3E, nor have any plans to use them in the foreseeable future. The best example of this I can give is something I told a friend. it's like having a Ferrari (R3E) and a BMW (sabertooth), when living in the city. Both do exactly what you want, both are good, one is much better, but isn't being used to the fullest.

Also, my worry is what the costs of the RMA will be. If it's just shipping, then fine, whatever. If it comes out to more than the cost of a sabertooth...well then I'm gonna pick up a sabertooth.

 

[Bocephus]

I've never used those wrist straps except when I was in computer school so I could work in lab and that was a long time ago.

My work bench consists of formica top, floor is carpet. Have hairy arms and leggs and I wear tennishoes. I touch/handle all computer components bare handed all the time...haven't had any mishaps

Lol (at myself)...guess I'm Lucky

 

[Scubasage]

Well, turns out I didn't have to do either. When I brought my comp to the store to get them to check it out today, I was still in their 15 day warranty period, so they will fix it for no cost. Sweet. Though they didn't mention it being 15 business days on their site, I guess it was. In retrospect I should have realized this, considering the place is closed on the weekends (it's really just a pick up center rather than an actual store), but whatever.