GTS 250/9800GTX+ SLI and Conversions!

[Realityshift]

Well I decided to go check out what options I had with my new video cards step up program and it turns out I can step up to a new GTS 250 from my 9800GTX vanilla for FREE, actually I have to pay shipping but I also get $20 USD more back for my old card so i actually come out ontop =D

I also found out that I can SLI that card with my current 9800GTX+ stock as they are both based on the same gpu, this comes from nvidia themselves.

But I found an article done by CPU3D.com in which they flashed a 9800GTX+ with a GTS 250 bios with great success. They managed to get both cards to show up as GTS 250s and run in SLI. Its been a pretty well known rumor that the new GTS 250 is just a 9800GTX+ with a new bios... this shows that those rumors may be more then just rumors =D I will be trying the same thing as soon as my step up is finished...

CPU3D.com / How to turn your Geforce 9800GTX+ into a GTS 250 / Introduction

[Realityshift]

This question is for anyone whos done a step-up with EVGA before, how long does the process normally takes and how does it work? I pay shipping for both my card to them and the new one to me? what if there was a MIR involved? what where your overall experiences with the program?

[Sagath]

Mix a GTS 250 and a 9800GTX+ for folding? <---Just yesterday on your own very forums!

As for the step-up, the turn around in Canada is meh. And you WILL get nailed with duty/taxes/customs when it comes back. I stepped up from a 66gt to a 78gt that came out two weeks after I bought. I think it cost me nearly 80 bucks in duty...

To be honest, IMO; For the difference between your 65nm and the 55nm gtx+(or gtx250, whatever THEY want to call it ), its not worth the 'risk' of the duty charges.

Fair warning, in either case.

[Realityshift]

Yeah that thread is folding based and non sli... this is gaming based SLI and ill be using step up for the process, the reason i want the GTS 250 vs a 9800GTX is the lower power requirements and id like to run 2 55nms instead of the older 65nm in one slot.

Anyone else have issues with taxes and duty while stepping up? I know its a chance to be taken but customs also doesnt grab every package, in fact the ratio is more then likely not that high but if to many people have had problems then I may cancel.

[chrisk]

I just did a step-up for evga and there were no duties. They write 'warranty/rma' on the package. I believe that this was not the practice when the 6000 and 7000 series were new, which might be the reason sagath got screwed with his step-up.

Process was smooth as butter, except for the month or so wait in queue to qualify for the step-up.

[Chos3n]

Originally Posted by Realityshift

Well I decided to go check out what options I had with my new video cards step up program and it turns out I can step up to a new GTS 250 from my 9800GTX vanilla for FREE, actually I have to pay shipping but I also get $20 USD more back for my old card so i actually come out ontop =D

I also found out that I can SLI that card with my current 9800GTX+ stock as they are both based on the same gpu, this comes from nvidia themselves.

But I found an article done by CPU3D.com in which they flashed a 9800GTX+ with a GTS 250 bios with great success. They managed to get both cards to show up as GTS 250s and run in SLI. Its been a pretty well known rumor that the new GTS 250 is just a 9800GTX+ with a new bios... this shows that those rumors may be more then just rumors =D I will be trying the same thing as soon as my step up is finished...

CPU3D.com / How to turn your Geforce 9800GTX+ into a GTS 250 / Introduction

If that works out, the only thing you need to do is called Nvidia and ask for a sticker to put on the card!

[chrisk]

One thing I am not sure about though...is the reason to step-up from a 9800GTX to the 250. You still pay to ship there, and ship back. For me, it would not be worth it.

I am not sure if you will get a $20 refund from Evga, but others might know better. I didn't think you could gain cash in a step-up.

[Realityshift]

Yup your right chris I was just reading through the fine print and found this...

• If the card you are sending in is greater in value per your receipt than what EVGA is charging for the card you are Stepping Up to, you will only be responsible for the shipping charges of the step up program. You may not use the difference to pay for the shipping charges, nor will EVGA refund the difference.

Benefits of step up are now null and void to me now, Im seriously considering XFX from now on for video cards, but EVGA does have great support... looks like ill be keeping my 9800GTX till I decide to move up to something bigger, guess step up only works when your steping up =P The reason I wanted to go about getting the newer card was to maximize the money ive already spent not spend more =(

Thanks guys

[chrisk]

NP. The Evga Step-Up can be a great option though in many cases. I ended up paying far less for my GTX 285, especially since I did not get a huge deal on the card I stepped up from (a GTX 260 Core 216). They gave me credit towards the 285 (sold in American money), based on my Canadian dollar purchase of my 260. I believe I paid $60-$70 CDN total for shipping and the cost of step-up from a GTX 260 Core 216, to a GTX 285. The GTX 285 they sent me was also the SSC version, when I only paid for the vanilla.

[rjbarker]

1. The gains from 9800GTX+ to GTS250 would not be worth it, you'd very likely see no gains at all, step up to a 260 Core 216 minimum would be worth it.
2. You pay shipping for yuor Board back and are charged approx $30 USD shipping back.
3. Did not see nor pay duty , customs and al that stuff at all.
4. Takes about 2 weeks total.

worth it provided you're actually stepping up to something worth stepping up to!