How it's wrapped up
The packaging matches the card's cool. It's all business from XFX. No scantily-clad girls, sorry.
| Items | Installation CD (v177.26 drivers) Assassin's Creed DVD Quick-installation guide Tips and techniques sheet User guide Single DVI-to-HDMI dongle Single six-pin PCIe-to-dual-Molex adaptor Seven-pin mini-DIN HDTV cable S/PDIF cable |
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Cutting to the chase, we like the fact that XFX has included a full-game version of Assassin's Creed. The card won't be able to play the recently-plugged DX10.1 patch, but that's a different story...
We're also happy to see an included S/PDIF cable - it doesn't cost much, sure, but too many manufacturers leave it out.
There's everything you need to get you started, although we'd like to see a DVI-to-HDMI adapter in the package, too.
The game helps cushion the £35 surcharge over a default-clocked card's, and it's a generally decent bundle, befitting a high-end card.
Warranty
All XFX cards are backed up by a two-year warranty that begins on the date of purchase and is transferable if the card is sold on. XFX urges its customers to register their products on its website for efficient validation of the warranty should things go awry. Each card is then provided a registration code that can be passed on to subsequent owners, keeping the warranty intact.Registering also opens up XFX's first line of support; web-based technical help where you receive an e-ticket and a response within 24 hours (assuming you can connect to the net if your card is not working).
Inexperienced users may incorrectly diagnose a card as faulty and this initial contact determines whether extra support is required. If so the customer contacts the retailer they purchased the card from and can use the e-ticket as supporting evidence.
XFX has introduced what it terms 'Live Help', where free support, once registered, is given in a real-time basis, over the web, much like MSN Messenger. Extending the similarities further, the previous 'conversions' are kept for reference, should you call back later.
Customers who look for initial resolution and have no access to XFX's website can call a U.K-based call centre for support. This, currently, incurs a charge of 60p/m.
A decent warranty, which is important if you're spending near-£300 of hard-earned money.
