this post was submitted on 11 May 2024
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This undercover warranty investigation is a one-year follow-up from our series that investigated ASUS for motherboards incinerating AMD CPUs, at the end of which ASUS promised a number of improvements to its then-anti-consumer warranty processes. Spoiler alert: They're still anti-consumer. We sent our ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme in for warranty repair for issues with the left joystick ("drift"). The device also had a broken microSD card. ASUS then pointed to the world's tiniest scratch and tried to charge us $200 for it under threat of sending back a disassembled device if we didn't pay within 5 days. It felt like extortion. If you're wondering whether ASUS is worth buying, the answer for anyone who values support should be "no."

We have now tested ASUS' motherboard and ROG Ally warranty and RMA processes. Both have been anti-consumer experiences.

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[–] InspiringOne@lemm.ee 1 points 19 hours ago

AMD laptop processors have the metal plates too close together or all the way together, increasing heat can help speed up the core speed. AMD uses rectangles or like rhombuses or shapes carved out. Keeping them locked was just keeping them closer together to prevent real computing. They all became business competitors trying to get information to make their own parts or they couldn’t sell computers. They may all just have not liked Intel, nothing about computers did much for the military or the military was the only ones using computers that weren’t the ones that are sold online or in stores and no one gets contracted to make them, or they were the originals that I made, they use things like oscillators and can connect to different hidden or unconnectable computers.

This is why they didn’t like Intel and everyone became a group supporting AMD, selling computers is realistic but the market is slim. Even we try and sell computers in capitalism that we make but you have to pretty much make every part and resistor. Selling high end designer smart or computer handheld phones costing 5 to 10 grand was more realistic but same issue, no one can afford unless they do something big and new. This is why nothing really mattered about money, all we really had was capitalism when we don’t want to sit around parasites anymore.

I didn’t use Intel or AMD even though I made them, I used Scorpio because that’s what the point in silicon was. Computer processors use silver or anything that works, Nvidia uses silver, Intel I thought was silver but may be stainless steel, AMD we don’t know and I don’t know who makes them, the actual AMD processors were probably stolen and duplicated, but Taiwan would be making everything that goes into it, so AMD may just be that way on the examples or patent sheets. The laptop CPUs came after, the AMD thread rippers were for like business website servers like for online shopping. But yeah AMD could also produce its own graphics, everyone became like outlaws because of Intel that tries to keep everyone just sitting there, it could be eating meat related because they’re goats, nvidia got like this too, a computer program or game monopoly and duplicates or cracks games and makes them, this is why nothing was really made anymore but apparently there’s still new call of duties, they may just want to know about what’s getting produced, AMD may not want anything organized, AMD is heavily weed related. People smoked lots of weed. The real issue is just capitalism goes on not socialism and getting high or seeing people can make people say hello or socialize, and everyone actually just starts robbing each other or robbing you because of carbs and things, this is why we were all still like companies because everyone is usually alone. You just build a house anyways or find a lot. But lots are kind of Microsoft windows related. Like you couldn’t necessarily just walk anywhere across fields or grass and do capitalism. No one says anything but no one really does this and capitalism doesn’t go on that comerica way, where computers exist in houses, with laptops you may bring it and sit somewhere but laptops were also business related, sometimes a computer was a phone or for communication and helping the person store information and even print things. It wasn’t always about programming unless it helps the one person using it. Selling the program on discs or renting it out use to exist, but there had to be some way to get paid or no one else would need to use it. But it didn’t real need to cost money to each individual user unless no money has been brought in from it, sometimes a bank buys it, banks or an individual always generate money same with branded places.

A computer was much more than playing a video game on it, it didn’t matter if a computer could run a console game, if anything the console program software would cost a hundred bucks up to a full console price. Or those guys just sold the games or manufactured them, some people didn’t use computers or produce anything at all. They fo other types of capitalism. But scamming can or does ho on if one person doesn’t regulate it and that’s what comerica is, one person regulating it. Without regulation not much even gets organized you may or may not want it regulated or money is never used, comerica hasn’t done what it originally did yet before or around the 9/11 terrorist attack.

This is why Nvidias graphics were better, because it was just discs and then shaders, like that get installed in call of duty. It’s possible to use gold and to not even seal processors but oxidation may take place but who knows, sealing scorpios were to hide the insides from everyone’s eyes. At one point only after market companies or businesses like mp3 players still operated and places like Apple were just another company. All computer software had windows to open and close or exit out, Microsoft was different and may have different features. They all had to do some type of deal with windows (the current way it is) or the software wasn’t usable or they go there and rob them all if it installs.

They may make all the AMD processors the same exact way. Back ten years ago gaming laptops didn’t really sell that great. It’s like they thought everyone could sit around just staring at c code software, this happens sometimes, this is why it became programming everyone does but wasn’t that possible or easy without a unlocked processor or certain program for making them, or without knowing coding to do in notepad or other blank windows.

Sometimes everyone’s after money so no one studies what they’re manufacturing or selling and can’t answer any questions to you when you don’t do this every day but they apparently do when listed as a company. Those plates just need to be further apart because the cpu just works how it works, other computers that seem more desirable are a graphics processing unit as a monitor and give off a satanic feeling, they use more power and probably shoot mass amounts of ions out of them.

[–] InspiringOne@lemm.ee 1 points 1 day ago

Asus means it’s as us. I guess it’s not a Zeus computer lol. As us means as Taiwan, Taiwan primarily produces every part and components and sells them to other manufacturers or branded companies so they would all smear or try to smear asus but technical difficulties can exist. It’s possible that they had trouble finding resistors for the cpu or its safe or desired electrical voltage/amperage. Basically when connecting metal even with resistance it just pulls electricity into it, just like a light bulb and when it gets too much it starts to heat up plus the spacing inside of the components inside the cpu or gpu could matter, like with phones. Closer together the more reactive they may get. It works better but how long will it last before it needs to replaced. Some people can use these things 8 or more hours a day straight. Even 24 hours a day.

So like you could fry your power supply if it keeps trying to draw more power than it can produce just like speakers drawing a higher amount than a receiver can send to it, you may luckily blow your receiver fuse. You’d be surprised what could blow it but it could have just been this longer screw that was put in and connects the casing to the face plate frame as well.

Heating processors has been shown to increase their speed 205 degrees Celsius is what you want but laptops have plastic casings and keyboards.

This could be and trying to blame asus for something, AMD fakes everything (like anything that exists because of the parasite thing that goes on, like they fake usb drives, controllers anything that’s in stores or gas stations with all the Indians and traffic going on, and it may be all because of weed and growing it and buying it at stores). They think AMD saved them, no it was just ultraviolet radiation, I tried giving them real name brand recipes and dumping the companies because of the tech boom and what actually went on in Japan, we all did drugs as Japan, and there was food hot food, not many people ate certain things or they became vegans or just preferred carbs meaning they can’t do anything without carbohydrates), the cpu company didn’t really exist, some were just manufactured and put in a lock box somewhere to be sold. Or we just made thread rippers and then phone cpu/gpu’s. Sometimes everyone just made very large computers or components at company locations or well industrial areas or buildings/lock ups, not necessarily garages.

[–] llamatron@lemmy.world 58 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Well shit. There's a lot of Asus in my PC. Fingers crossed it doesn't break.

[–] Dudewitbow@lemmy.zip 35 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I basically always tell people, if you're buying Asus(in the U.S), youre essentially buying something new in box, but essentially considered used. Treat it as if its open box sale, because they will fight tooth and nail to attempt to deny your warranty.

Its a problem at various levels, primarily with the major Taiwanese Brick and Mortar companies. The sad part is how ubiquitous they are when it comes to the DIY portion of PC building.

[–] Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone 16 points 8 months ago

I don’t have the time/money/bug up my ass to do it, but I feel like buying a few components, not using them, and sending them in for “repair” after a few months would be an interesting way to audit their warranty coverage.

[–] umbrella@lemmy.ml 50 points 8 months ago

im truly dissapointed by asus' enshittification.

it used to be THE goto motherboard many moons ago

[–] Sunny@slrpnk.net 48 points 8 months ago (6 children)

Are there any brands left that is consumer friendly to buy from these days??

[–] ArtikBanana@lemmy.dbzer0.com 26 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (7 children)

Specifically motherboards or in general?
~~I've heard a lot of good things about Asrock motherboards. And they're also about the only ones without some recent controversy (for AMD CPUs).~~

In general, I can personally vouch for Noctua.
They sent me a free mounting kit for my then 7 year old CPU cooler when I switched it over to a new PC. I've had it for 12 years now.

Edit: Never mind, looks like also Asrock aren't too great.

[–] towerful@programming.dev 29 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I don't think anyone hates noctua. That's like a free bingo square, or something

[–] Rognaut@lemmy.world 10 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I worked with a guy that said "don't tell me you used noctua fans on your 3d printer" I was like 😮. He really thought they were shit. He's wrong.

[–] commandar@lemmy.world 14 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

For 3D printers, they're subpar.

Noctua fans are typically 12v and tuned for lower speed for lower noise; in 3DP you're generally looking for 24v fans* with the highest CFM:static pressure ratio you can get which will generally mean a louder, higher RPM fan.

They'll work, but you can generally get industrial fans from Delta, Sunon, etc that are a better fit for the application, often for less money.

* - 5v and 12v fans are getting more common simply because they tend to be more available. Preference for high CFM:static pressure holds true regardless.

[–] SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 8 months ago

They're not shit, but a lot of people don't realize that a big reason they're quieter is because they don't spin as fast, therefore they're moving less air. Noctua is typically trading cooling performance for less noise, which can also be achieved by throwing a resistor inline on a non-Noctua fan.

That being said, their motors are higher quality and, at least in my experience, tend to last longer than cheap fans.

[–] bfg9k@lemmy.world 8 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I got burned by ASRock years ago, they are literally just Asus but with less quality control

[–] ArtikBanana@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Was it before AM4 by any chance?

[–] bfg9k@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago (2 children)

It was between 2010-2016, myself and a few of my mates tried them on a few times over the years and they crapped out every time after a couple months. Swore off them for good after that.

[–] exscape@kbin.social 4 points 8 months ago

The X370 Taichi was considered one of the best boards of the generation, so I'm pretty sure they improved.
Mine's still going strong in a friend's computer 7 years later, with a Ryzen 5600.

[–] ArtikBanana@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)
[–] onion@feddit.de 5 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I can tell you bad things about a crappy Asrock AM3 board I got a decade ago

[–] ArtikBanana@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 8 months ago

Yeah, from what I've seen they weren't great before and have switched things up in recent years.
But I haven't had any personal experience with their boards.

[–] Delphia@lemmy.world 7 points 8 months ago

From what I heard Asrock became a joke quality wise and got the shits about being the lowest quality mainstream manufacturer and did something about it.

[–] pacoboyd@lemm.ee 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Honestly, I've had nothing but good luck with Asrock. The few times I've needed at MB replacement (one was for a 2 year old board that had a known issue, Intels fault, not theirs) they just sent me a replacement board after I sent mine in.

Its probably been 5 years since I've had to use thier RMA process, but I'm still putting Asrock boards in everything I build. I build for pretty much all my friend and family circle (probably 3-8 builds a year) and I don't know of any that have had an issue so far (they would for sure come back to me for help if they did).

Taichi is such a great enthuaist line and Steel Legend is a great mid range. I'll always recommend them.

[–] Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 8 months ago

I don’t have much experience with Corsair, but when one of my fans on my AIO went janky, they sent me a label and then shipped me a newer model that looks brand new.

…it’s going in another machine, as my compy now has a D15

[–] DebatableRaccoon@lemmy.ca 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] ArtikBanana@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 8 months ago
[–] FiniteBanjo 0 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I don't vouch for anybody at all but I enjoy my Gigabyte motherboard.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, there was an auto-update firmware vulnerability, a potential backdoor, a couple of years ago that affected most of the new models, but my Aero G x570 was not on the list.

[–] tty5@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I've had good experience with EVGA both times I've had problems with their hardware, this year most recently. MSI is supposedly OK too, but I never had to deal with their warranty.

[–] Sunny@slrpnk.net 4 points 8 months ago

Heard good about EVGA and Sapphire too. However my personal experience with MSI(laptops) have not been great. But shame about Asus as they so much more than EVGA and Sapphire as they only make Graphic Cards AFAIK.

[–] psvrh@lemmy.ca 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

There's Supermicro and Tyan, but they're...a different market.

[–] ToyDork@sh.itjust.works 1 points 8 months ago

Fair warning, don't mess with the internals of the device because - as a Chinese company - their warranty is prohibitively anti-repair, but...

OneXPlayer. Specifically the OneXFly. More ergonomic than the steam deck, far more powerful than both it and the ROG Ally, has an SD Card slot that doesn't fry itself like the Ally, and comes with a decent warranty for what is essentially the Chinese Lamborghini of GamerDecks. Again, don't try to fix it yourself, it works well but if anything goes wrong (I had to wipe the SSD and didn't know how to do so without removing it physically) then you're screwed.

If you have big hands, just buy a Steam Deck OLED. It's about as good as it gets for customer service to rely on Valve.

[–] Nithanim@programming.dev 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Gigabyte Aorus maybe? Some years ago I sent in my MB that suddenly stopped working via the store I bought it from. No issues. Repaired and fully functional since.

I sent in another one after for a very weird issue. Long story short, I think something is slightly broken with the RAM slots but since it happens "only" sometimes (depends on how hardware is plugged in; and also randomly), they could not find any problem and sent it back as "OK". So I am only partial disappointed. Process was without friction and charge.

The board that still currently drives my computer is asrock. Won't buy them again because they put the cooling fan directly below the (hot) grapics card, made accessing m.2 real shitty and were missing a uefi feature I thought was standard (from gigagbyte; which graphics to use for init).

All my boards fall in the highend category, but not the absolute top. Also, I am in the EU.

[–] fatalicus@lemmy.world 6 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Gigabyte has been selling motherboards with a backdoor vulnerability.

And during the GPU shortage a couple of years back they, together with newegg, sold GPUs only bundled with PSUs, but the PSUs were so bad quality that they literally blew up, and if you tried to RMA the PSU they refused unless you sent back the GPU as well.

[–] keyez@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

They did push new firmware about 10 days later to fix that vulnerability, and that portion was easily disabled until and after the patch. I remember that coning out as I've only had gigabyte boards for the last 12 years in 4 PCs and they've been great.

[–] Nithanim@programming.dev 1 points 8 months ago

Oh, yeah, the PSUs. Forgot about them since I wouldnt buy them. As long as they do not enshittyfy their mainboards...

As far as I remember it was partly windows fault too for loading this? I don't have windows so I think i forgot about that too.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 22 points 8 months ago

Having been through warranty hell with ASUS years ago, this doesn't surprise me.

Such an unethical company that deserves nothing but hardship and bankruptcy.

[–] JCreazy@midwest.social 22 points 8 months ago (2 children)

A year or so ago ASUS repaired my video card for free that I had bought second hand and was a couple years of warranty so my limited experience with their customer service has been pleasant.

[–] Hasuris@sopuli.xyz 12 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)
[–] vithigar@lemmy.ca 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Same here. Sent back a ASUS video card for warranty service within the past couple of years. Was updated in a fairly timely fashion that they were able to reproduce my issue and a replacement card was sent to me without fuss. No issues at all.

Though there was one odd factor where I sent the card back in its original TUF branded box and it came back in a Strix box. That doesn't really impact the quality of the service though.

TL;DR: Asus pulls the same crap with warranties today that they pulled 22+ years ago. They should be avoided at all costs.

[–] MudMan@fedia.io 17 points 8 months ago

So my experience with ASUS is that they do do this, but they do all of it. To be clear, in the video they explain that once they rejected the outrageous charge for minor cosmetic damage they did get both the reported in-warranty fix and the unreported SD card reader damage fixed. The issue here is ASUS including language that suggests you will forfeit the warranty fix if you don't accept the extra charges and attempting to charge you for superfluous fixes.

The last time I had to send something to ASUS for a fix they insisted on very detailed up-front images and they did send a bunch of confusing emails like these, but they also did fix the issues after I just chose to ignore the incongruous automated email responses.

Which is not to say I'm defending the practice. When I later had some RAM compatibility issues I chose to ping the RAM manufacturer first instead of ASUS because I knew ASUS' processes would be more of a pain, which is 100% the intended outcome.

[–] NekoRogue@slrpnk.net 12 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I'm in the process of investigating a sudden overheating issue in my PC and I see this. I have an ASUS ROG motherboard and a Ryzen CPU. I'm not a hardware expert at all, but now I'm wondering if this is relevant to my situation. I didn't know about the ASUS/AMD issue.

[–] Statick@programming.dev 6 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

About 7 years ago... Friend and I built PC's about 6 months apart, him first, then me. Same ASUS motherboard. 2 years go by and his motherboard just dies. Few months later, mine dies. They honored the Warranty but the RMA process was awful. Little to no communication and it took a month for each of us to get refurbished motherboards back. I have not used a single ASUS product since.