Graphics This is why we need more VRAM on our GFX cards! IMG HEAVY!

This was my thinking also.

 

I wonder how flooded the MP and fleabay will get with 580s

 

Your GFX card will need to qualify in a no. of things to be able to get the step up.
The card you step up from, will need to have 3yrs warranty or more to qualify.
Once you purchase the card, and have registered it online, and uploaded your invoice. You can then proceed to the step up program.
You have 90 Days from the date of purchase to do this.

In my case, I bought my GTX 580 Classifieds in mid January, so I was lucky to get the step up to the GTX 680. (Only had 20days left, so if they didn't bring out the card till mid April, I would not have been able to get the step up).

You can only Step up not step down. I.E. So you can't say, go from a GTX 560 1GB to a GTX 560 2GB card, but you can go from a GTX 560, to a GTX 570, GTX 580, GTX 680, but depending on how much your original purchase price was for your card, is how much you get back minus shipping fees.

I paid £455 for my GTX 580, and the GTX 680 is retailing at £430ish, so the only thing I pay for is shipping, and lose out on £25 as such.

So lets say, you bought a GTX 560 Ti 2 months ago and paid £230. Now you want to Step up to a GTX 680. So you would get £230 towards a GTX 680, and will have to pay the rest plus £10 shipping.

You can't buy a GTX 680 2GB, and then in 2 months time (Guess), when the 4GB models comes out, Step up to that. They class that as a side grade, and not a Step up.

Hope this helps.

 

The EVGA step up program is limited to 90 days so if the new gpu u want doesn't hit the EVGA website by then you lose your step up.

 

So it's so limited as to be worthless then. Going from a 2gb to 4gb 680 would be a popular desire.

 

In the eyes of the peeps who bought a GTX 680 2GB, to hope to upgrade to a 4GB, when it is released, then yes.

But to peeps like me, no. As like I said, I have protected my investment for when the 4GB models come out, and will get more money when I sell the GTX 680 2GB, than if I tried to sell my GTX 580 3GB, when the 4GB models come out.

 

thanks for the useful info. can't wait for your update on this topic when you get your new cards.

i've decided to save a few pennies and not buy the shiny new card. tripped up by common sense, because my 580 is doing fine for me. and the fact i've got plans which need loads of money in summer. (none geek related though)

 

Good graphics are all nice and dandy, but aslong as the games are crap it doesn't help that much.

Also, 1920x1080 is considered the max-resolution for games and everything beyond that resolution is sure killing most rigs at max settings. No surprises there.

 

I have no need to upgrade, as I can max out every game @ 60fps. But for the sake of £10 shipping, I get a free upgrade, which is more than dandy. Just wish it was the 4GB cards though! When they do come out, I will soon have my GTX680 2GB cards on the Market place, to upgrade to them.

 

Which games are crap?

Currently playing Alan Wake in stereoscopic 3d.

F1 2011 in stereo 3d.

Portal 2 is being replayed in stereoscopic 3d.

BF3...

Hard Reset is also proving to be fun.

 

dibs on it!

it's a shame they don't offer 18 months step up program, lol, then if i bought EVGA, i'll be able to step up up for free

 

what is the actual point of the step up program? i had not heard of it until now.

is it so if a new better card comes out in 90 days they pay the difference? :s

 

Well... seems like the 2GB of VRAM doesn't appear to be holding these cards back much really. Time to sell the 580s me thinks

 

Already preparing ebay ad for my 2 liquid cooled 560ti's.

 

Waiting for some SLI numbers and partner cards before I go selling up

 

I may get a couple of EVGA 680s, and hope they pull their finger out in 90 days to step up.

 

I thought it didn't work if you went from 2GB 680's to 4GB 680's as it isn't a new GPU?

 

Mikeyman is correct, me and TG can step up as we are going from gtx 580's to 680's, but you won't be able to go from 2Gb cards to 4Gb cards, but you can do what me and TG are going to do which is sell the 2Gb cards when they release the 4Gb cards.

 

Or just wait for the 4GB cards before I do anything... that seems more sensible then. I can wait.. I'm hardly impoverished in the GPU dept. as it is