what does 'lifetime warranty' actually mean when it comes to graphi

[roguekiller23231]

i

've got an xfx 6970 with a 'lifetime warranty' on it, what does that actually mean, the expected lifetime of the card? what does it actually cover? my last card died from 'wear and tear', micro fractures in the solder that killed the card, it seems like a lot of graphics cards and components suffer from the same thing, would that be covered under a 'lifetime warranty' or would that be classed as 'wear and tear' on the card and not be covered?

basically, what does lifetime warranty actually mean and cover?

[metallithrax]

All XFX graphics cards sold in the US or Canada had previously come with a 'double' lifetime warranty, meaning the card may have 2 owners, both of them receiving lifetime warranties. The lifetime warranty was only valid if the card was registered within 30 days of purchase.^[2] Though as of Jan. 30 2012, XFX will be dropping this warranty and replacing it with a 2-year limited warranty.

Taken from Wiki. Not sure about the rest of the world though

[TAZMINATOR]

i

've got an xfx 6970 with a 'lifetime warranty' on it, what does that actually mean, the expected lifetime of the card? what does it actually cover? my last card died from 'wear and tear', micro fractures in the solder that killed the card, it seems like a lot of graphics cards and components suffer from the same thing, would that be covered under a 'lifetime warranty' or would that be classed as 'wear and tear' on the card and not be covered?

basically, what does lifetime warranty actually mean and cover?

Do you have warranty papers that came with your video card. Since I have no idea what it covers depends on what company wants to cover... lifetime means they will fix or replace the card at no charge depends on the problem you have as long as you use that card.

Edit: metallithrax beat me.

[Detection]

There is probably some small print explaining the expected lifetime of the card, maybe 3 years or something

I doubt it actually means forever, jail sentences of life are around the 15 year mark in the UK, not actually life itself

[metallithrax]

The problem with lifetime warranties comes when someone like me, who uses a computer (and its components) until something dies. When you then try to enforce the "lifetime warranty", you find out that you components are so outdated that any replacement they offer means you need a new PC to run it.

Which I suppose is what Detection said above. :rofl:

[roguekiller23231]

i know i had to register it within 30 days to qualify for the lifetime warranty which i did. i know that the card will eventually die at some stage. I just dont want to be faced with them saying 'wear and tear is not covered' in a few years time when the card dies,

[n_K]

Wear and tear isn't covered and neither is overclocking. It's more a warranty for if there was anything wrong in the production of the card or it develops a fault or fails early which it shouldn't do. e.g. if the BGA wasn't done correctly then it'd stop working or burn out and that'd be covered but yes, always check what the warranty card says as each company has it's own specifics like smoking around macs voids the warranty.

[lt8480]

There is probably some small print explaining the expected lifetime of the card, maybe 3 years or something

I doubt it actually means forever, jail sentences of life are around the 15 year mark in the UK, not actually life itself

OT but in the UK a jail sentence for life is for life and a jail sentence for 15 years is for 15 year.

However, on a life sentence you can apply for parole after a minimum period set by a judge (guidelines are set in UK Law but often 15 years minimum). Prisoners may then be released on a life licence but they are still serving there life sentence just not behind bars - consequently breaches to parole will result in a return to prison. Prisoners sentenced to 15 years serve 15 years and then are released without conditions. Whilst some might see it as a technicality - those sentenced to life do serve life, but they are not necessarily in custody for the entire period.

[Guth]

For the point about Overclocking not being covered, I have an EVGA GTX650 Ti SSC and overclocking is covered by EVGA warranties, even though my card has a "SuperSuperClock" at stock speeds

Warranty is totally vendor specific. Check out their site and read the small print/FAQ's they will have the answer somewhere.*

*or at least they should.

edit:

smoking around macs voids the warranty.

WHAT!?!? :laugh:

[PNWDweller]

I've often wondered about the term 'Lifetime Warranty' myself. Just who's lifetime? Mine or the Product? If product, then how do they know just how long the product is supposed to last?

I know they can do accelerated testing, simulations and more but I have never seen anything printed with a estimated life expectancy except for my LCD TV's which said about 25 years if brightness run at 50% all the time.

I tend to lean on the manufacturer's defect reasoning that would be under lifetime. If a component fails due to manufacturer issue, then yes.

Now, if it said "Lifetime Unlimited Warranty", then taken literally - probably anything goes with that one. :)

[YouWhat]

WARRANTY INFORMATION

XFX warrants that the Product shall conform to and perform in accordance with published technical specifications and the accompanying written materials, and shall be free of defects in materials and workmanship. XFX does not sell its Product directly to the consumer therefore the warranty for XFX Products remains the responsibility of your reseller where you purchased the Product.

Basically, you need to get in touch with place where you got the gfx card from for replacement according to the above.

Should you experience any difficulty obtaining a fair and proper warranty service from any of our Resellers please do not hesitate to contact us via the Support Ticketing System where we will do our best to help you.

Might be worth a try getting in contact with them, stating when you purcahsed and registered your gfx card, also state that your card is covered by the lifetime warranty when you registered it.

http://xfxforce.com/en-gb/help/Support.aspx

[Detection]

OT but in the UK a jail sentence for life is for life and a jail sentence for 15 years is for 15 year.

However, on a life sentence you can apply for parole after a minimum period set by a judge (guidelines are set in UK Law but often 15 years minimum). Prisoners may then be released on a life licence but they are still serving there life sentence just not behind bars - consequently breaches to parole will result in a return to prison. Prisoners sentenced to 15 years serve 15 years and then are released without conditions. Whilst some might see it as a technicality - those sentenced to life do serve life, but they are not necessarily in custody for the entire period.

From wikipedia:

In England and Wales, a life sentence is a prison term of indeterminate length. Formerly, the Home Secretary reserved the right to set the "tariff", or minimum length of term, for prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, but since 2005 only a judge may set the tariff. The average sentence is about 15 years before the first parole hearing, although those convicted for heinous offences serve their sentences significantly longer - Ian Huntley was given a tariff of 40 years. Some receive "whole life tariffs" and die in prison, such as Myra Hindley and Harold Shipman; there are currently around 25 people serving whole life tariffs in the UK. Prisoners jailed for life are released on a life licence if the parole board authorises their release.

--

Life sentences are generally 15 years, but life sentences can be handed out in sets, ie. 3 life sentences, but the above is true

[metallithrax]

There are not many "life" sentences that have actually been that, but some have died while on a "life sentence" -Myra Hindley for one. I am sure there are others as well, but probably not as well known.

[lt8480]

From wikipedia:

The average sentence imprisonment is about 15 years before the first parole hearing, although those convicted for heinous offences serve their sentences significantly longer in custody - Ian Huntley was given a tariff of a life sentence with a 40 years minimum imprisonment. Some receive "whole life tariffs" and die in prison, such as Myra Hindley and Harold Shipman; there are currently around 25 people serving whole life tariffs in the UK. Prisoners jailed for life are released on a life licence if the parole board authorises their release.

--

Life sentences are generally 15 years, but life sentences can be handed out in sets, ie. 3 life sentences, but the above is true

I don't know of any cases in the UK where life actually kept the person in jail until he died, not that I have looked for such cases

I'm not disagreeing that many people might serve only 15 years in prison.

The Wikipedia article is incorrect due to the misuse of words and has hopefully been written by someone with no legal background... the sentence is for life with a parole hearing taking place after 15 year (on average). Myra Hindley died several years ago and is one example of someone who has died on a life sentence in the UK.

"3 life sentences" is not used in the UK. UK prisoners serve concurrent sentences meaning they stay in prison till the most serve conviction is served. if you were convicted 3 times, and given 3 separate murder sentences with 15 years imprisonment each, then you would still only have to server 15 years before applying for parole (this is in the UK, the US typically uses consecutive sentencing - many wish to avoid moving to consecutive sentencing as it encourages criminals of multiple lesser offences to commit more serious offences in attempt to avoid being caught.). Obviously if you had committed several serious crimes such acts of murder you would most likely be given a longer minimum imprisonment, which could be anything.

[n_K]

WHAT!?!? :laugh:

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_smoking_could_void_mac_warranty

[Guth]

http://www.macobserv...id_mac_warranty

thats crazy!

second hand smoke! So they open up the laptop and BAM all the smoke comes out and kills the techs!? haha

I understand engineers can refuse to work in your home if it smells of smoke, but refusing to work on a computer due to second hand smoke!?

also, here is the section for OC for my EVGA card's warranty

Overclocking our products does not void the warranty as long as there is no physical damage to the product or missing components. However EVGA Support will not be able to assist you in overclocking the product.

http://www.evga.com/...q.aspx?faqid=55

I couldnt decide what card to go with and went with EVGA specifically because I heard and read good stuff about their warranty

[+jamesyfx Subscriber²]

I'm fairly sure Lifetime Warranty just means the warranty lasts as long as the product is still being produced (so it can be replaced if you need a new one).

So if you buy something with a Lifetime Warranty and then it becomes obsolete/discontinued, that's it... Your warranty is kaput.

[Growled Member]

I think lifetime warranty means only what the manufacture wants it to mean. If they don't want to honor the warranty they will find some excuse to get out of it. Been there and done that.