So I've put it off a while, but I'm looking into getting the XFX ATi 5830 I put in my brother's system RMA'd as its constantly having issues, and I'm constantly having to adjust it to get it to function.

So Im gonna end up trying to get another 5830 or a 6870, which ever I can get cheaper. (5830s have gone up on NE, as well as XFX 6780s).

Once I get A new Card Im going to send the 5830 to XFX to be replaced, to either XFire them when the other gets back or replace my 8800GTS.

Now.....will XFX send me back another 5830 or a 6870? (Since the 5800 Series is out of production, and their form I fill out states they may ship equivelent, yada yada yada.).

XFX is reputable and will replace it for a current SKU that most closely matches the 5830 in price and GPU computational power. However, I am not sure that will be the 6870. You will need to send in a copy of the receipt and they will inspect it for warranty variance issues like improper watercooling or LN2 problems.

I dont have a receipt, i ordered it from NewEgg, so I can re-print the receipt from the site.

6870 is the same Shader Count as the 5830. (1120 Shaders)

I was going back and forth with support on my Ticket, but i told them that I would not be able to send it in till the fall, they said that was ok, yada yada yada... so I already have a RMA technically, but I can get a new one if i need too.

Too bad about the XFX HD5830.

I gave mine to my 12 year old Grandson in a Phenom II 965 system I built him (from mostly my pre-Bulldozer system). He has been using it constantly all Summer vacation. No issues yet.

Of possible interest to SimHQ folks.

That 12 year old Grandson got REAL interested in flying based on using the IL2-1946 I gave him early this Summer -- with the computer and a joy stick. So, I gave him some actual flight manuals and MS FSX. He really likes instrument flying. Already this summer he's flown a real airplane twice (local flying club gives interested/able kids "air time"). Now, he's planning on flying lessons when he's 14 (apparently they're available/legal then). Anyhow, he's two real flights ahead of me. When not flying, he's programming robots (both real and simulated) -- a beginner at that subject but not bad. Toys with HTML for internet pages. And to think when I was 12 all I had was a used "slide rule" I didn't know how to use.

I think we have yet another budding Engineer in the family. Never know what a free computer might do to unlock a mind. Got my money's worth on that one.

XFX use to be (still?) known for their support.

More than likely you'll receive an upgrade unless they happen to have a 5830 in stock (doubtful).

after delays one after another I finally shipped his XFX card last week,

Arrived/Signed for yesterday?

will XFX Email me any updates regarding the RMA Process (ie when they begin processing the card, when they ship it back, etc)?

cant seem to find any sort of "Check my RMA Status" thingy on their page.

edit: never mind they sent me a message on my support ticket.

I wonder if they are just gonna ship me another 5830, or contact me regarding replacing it with a 6870 (or Equiv.)

how long should i wait before sending them a message asking the status of my RMA?

they told me friday someone would be in contact shortly, i guess they dont work Sat/Sun, and its 4PM Tuesday, so they got about 4 hours left on their work day in Cali...

Skate Zilla,

A week when I RMA'ed a video card earlier this year.

im gonna have to wait "a couple of weeks" according to the Support Ticket response, while my brother whines about his PC sitting there doing nothing.. lol..

they could just replace it with a 6870 if they wanted, same specs, but they wont I guess. even though the Agreement i signed said they can replace the card with one of similar performance if the specific model is not available.