Thursday, January 29th 2015
Perfectly Functional GTX 970 Cards Being Returned Over Memory Controversy
In what is a major fallout of the GeForce GTX 970 memory allocation controversy, leading retailers in the EU are reporting returns of perfectly functional GTX 970 cards citing "false advertising." Heise.de reports that NVIDIA is facing a fierce blowback from retailers and customers over incorrect specs. Heise comments that the specifications "cheating could mean the greatest damage to the reputation of the company's history."
Major German PC hardware retailer Caseking.de says that retailers don't have any explanation from NVIDIA to give to their customers. A similar sentiment is being expressed by the NVIDIA add-in card partners (AICs) we spoke to. Retailers and AIC partners are on their own, for now. One AIC partner rep told us that NVIDIA has no worldwide action plan, as of now, to deal with a potential flood of returns.
In absence of every other recourse, laws in most EU member states dictate that the retailers accept returns for a full refund, if they are not able to "repair" the defect, or exchange with another unit that works as advertised (which a retailer obviously can't, in this case). Retailers' options in the matter boil down to: 1. Taking back cards from whoever isn't happy with their GTX 970 and giving them a refund; 2. compensating with something of value (eg: game-coupons, in-game currency, etc.,) and 3. Springing up a surprise, such as exchanging GTX 970 cards purchased before a set date, with a GTX 980 (if that's your idea of a "repair."). This will come at the expense of a cascading lawsuit-chain (customers suing retailers, who in-turn sue AICs, and who in-turn sue NVIDIA).
NVIDIA, on the other hand, plans to issue a driver update that will "improve" the way the chip allocates resources, but there's no word on whether it re-enables disabled components that NVIDIA wasn't honest about, the first time around. They're counting on the issue to simply blow over, because at $329, there really isn't much you can complain about the GTX 970, given how it's positioned in comparison to the GTX 980.
Major German PC hardware retailer Caseking.de says that retailers don't have any explanation from NVIDIA to give to their customers. A similar sentiment is being expressed by the NVIDIA add-in card partners (AICs) we spoke to. Retailers and AIC partners are on their own, for now. One AIC partner rep told us that NVIDIA has no worldwide action plan, as of now, to deal with a potential flood of returns.
NVIDIA, on the other hand, plans to issue a driver update that will "improve" the way the chip allocates resources, but there's no word on whether it re-enables disabled components that NVIDIA wasn't honest about, the first time around. They're counting on the issue to simply blow over, because at $329, there really isn't much you can complain about the GTX 970, given how it's positioned in comparison to the GTX 980.
172 Comments on Perfectly Functional GTX 970 Cards Being Returned Over Memory Controversy
Sounds like a cheap way into a SLI set up :D
I won't be returning my 970 G1 Gaming either. Card has been great for what I do, and I have no complaints.
If you don't use resolutions or image enhancements that push the VRAM usage past 3.5 GB, then you're correct, IMO. If not, then that's a whole different story and, personally, i'd think hard before deciding what to do if i were in such a case.
It's hilarious.
I have an image in my mind of all these 970 owners flocking to the local retailer waving their under-specced GPU's angrily in the air.
Cash will be flowing from the Nvidia coffers this quarter.
lolol Nvidia.
I'll just wait for whatever Nvidia will offer us for the trpuble and be happy with it :)
A: People who want the GTX 970 (Or another 1-2) will be able to pick these up cheap (If they get re-sold as open box/refurbished) which also might show up cheaper because the value might take a hit on eBay or the likes so people can get a high end card for less.
B: Some of those people are going to buy GTX 980's instead so the reality is this is more of a slap on the wrist than anything because they are still purchasing said products and actually buying a much more expensive version so the only real hits to NVidia would be the people who end up buying from the alternative side (I am not factoring in of course any hits that travel down the line from the cards being returned and NVidia being charged for it in some way).
C: The cards are going to get some improvement down the line that could help this at least a bit and the advertisement on the box will probably change (Well the boxes might get an update or something of the likes) so in the end people can be made happy.
Its interesting to see how people are reacting to this, I understand why some people would return the card since they feel cheated on the specs. Though I think the major players that are/will/might see a difference in the performance even if the memory was a full 4gb at the proper speed are running 1440p+ and some crazy games with crazy mods or settings turned up. I think though in the end whether you kept the card or not your probably going to be made a bit happier one way or another.
No doubt there are some with valid driver issues related to memory allocation. But come on, this is a huge storm in a glass. Mass panic. Few people were ready to return GTX 970 and buy MUCH WORSE card from AMD. Does not make sense at all anymore.
NVIDIA made a huge PR mistake handling this. No doubt they should make official company statement and give some kind of compensation for the pain like game bundle.
Also I would love to see NVIDIA give users option to disable this last 512 MB partition from drivers if they experience problems. !
Think it through people and don't make stupid mistakes over a stupid scandal!
"This will come at the expense of a cascading lawsuit-chain (customers suing retailers, who in-turn sue AICs, and who in-turn sue NVIDIA). "
"Oh it's not a big deal, still a a great card"
"Still performs like it did when released"
"What will you buy instead?"
"What are you complaining about?"
"Card was never internded for 4k"
"Oh the issues is probably your -insert other pc component-"
blah blah blah.
Who cares? It's all irrelevant.
People are jumping up and down. So funny.
Nvidia engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct. Case closed. Consumers will have the choice to return the cards for full refunds, it's just a matter of time.
Maybe Nvidia and Co. will come up with alternative options to offer disgruntled consumers, end of the day though, unless your country has really shitty consumer protection laws, you are going to get to choose at the retailer level, money or the card.
Nvidia is making intermittent press statements, but generally pretty quiet on what exactly they plan on doing. Oh, new drivers! Never heard that before. Nvidia really really screwed up and they know it. They can't say too much until they finish all their "OH SHIT" meetings with lawyers and upper management.
Then they still have all the consumer complaints agencies that will be knocking at their door. Not to mention letters from outraged customers, countless emails and PM's...farking funny.
The potential damage to their reputation has...potential.
lol lol lol Nvidia.
Time to man up Nvidia. Doesn't matter if the GTX 970 is still a great card, you lied, and you're gonna pay for it. So-sayeth the angry shopper!
hahahahah. lol ;)
People are making a moral stand here, that's all it is. And they should. They should punish companies who lie to them. (wish they would do the same with Ubi games)