This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:21:02
The video discusses EVGA's decision to end its partnership with Nvidia due to strained relations. It explores the challenges faced by AIB partners like EVGA due to Nvidia's strict control over customization options and limited information access. The conflict of interest arises as Nvidia competes with its own board partners by offering cards at lower prices. EVGA's strained relationship with Nvidia and potential halt in selling graphics cards are highlighted, with concerns about losing EVGA's positive warranty program and customer support. EVGA's warranty process for 30 series cards, supply chain issues, and plans to focus on other product lines are mentioned. The video also touches on EVGA's step-up program and the impact of EVGA's absence in the industry, signaling the end of an era in graphics cards with EVGA's departure in 2022.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, it is discussed that EVGA will no longer be doing business with Nvidia. The relationship between EVGA and Nvidia has been strained, leading to EVGA’s decision to break its business partnership with Nvidia. The speaker attended a meeting with EVGA’s CEO, Andrew, where this announcement was made. The decision affects future GPU releases by EVGA, with the company not producing 40 series graphics cards or subsequent releases. This news is significant for the industry given the long-standing partnership between EVGA and Nvidia.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the challenges of being a partner of Nvidia as an AIB (add-in board) partner, emphasizing Nvidia’s strict control over its programs. Nvidia limits the customization options available to AIB partners, such as restricting dual GPU designs, custom PCB layouts, and additional RAM configurations. This strict control has impacted the enthusiast market negatively. The speaker mentions that even companies like EVGA, which one might expect to have early access to information, often find out details about Nvidia products at the same time as the public. The segment highlights the difficulties faced by AIB partners in working with Nvidia.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker addresses the issues faced by AIB partners working with Nvidia. They mention that AIBs have functional cards based on schematics but lack software access to unlock the true potential. The lack of drivers and access to important information hinders their operations. The speaker touches upon leak control by Nvidia and allocation uncertainty among partners. The competitive graphics card market’s low profit margins are discussed, with the challenge of pricing positioning and cost management highlighted. Nvidia’s competition with its own partners, undercutting pricing, and the concerns raised by reviewers since 2016 are also mentioned, impacting AIBs such as EVGA.
00:09:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the conflict of interest that arises when Nvidia, the company selling GPUs (specifically cores), also competes with board partners who buy these cores to make graphics cards. Nvidia initially claimed limited involvement in retailing but later released their own Founders Edition cards, indicating direct competition with board partners. The speaker highlights how Nvidia can offer cards at or below MSRP due to their lower production costs compared to board partners. The transcript also mentions a current price drop for the 3090 Ti Founders Edition, which is $900 below MSRP, causing losses for board partners selling GPUs at this price. This segment offers insights into the challenges faced by board partners in competing with Nvidia in the graphics card market due to pricing disparities.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses EVGA’s strained relationship with Nvidia, highlighting Nvidia’s pricing tactics and EVGA’s decision to potentially stop selling graphics cards. EVGA’s founder states they have no interest in selling the company and emphasizes their commitment to quality products and customer service. The speaker expresses concern over the industry losing EVGA’s positive warranty program and customer support. Existing 30 series EVGA card owners are assured that warranties will still be honored due to EVGA’s extensive data on product quality and failure rates.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the warranty process for EVGA’s 30 series graphics cards following a supply chain issue. EVGA will sell its current 30 series inventory until depleted, with uncertainties around future stock availability. EVGA plans to hold back some products for warranty purposes. The company will shift focus to other product lines like power supplies and peripherals, possibly targeting the power delivery needs of the upcoming 40 series graphics cards. The speaker reflects on EVGA’s longstanding reputation for quality and customer support, comparing the situation to a divorce mediation and expressing concern for the industry’s loss without EVGA’s strong presence.
00:18:00
In this segment of the video, it discussed EVGA’s step-up program where customers could upgrade their graphics card within 90 days and get credit towards a new card, highlighting EVGA’s popularity in North America. The video emphasized a strained relationship between EVGA and Nvidia, suggesting the latter valued the partnership less. The possibility of Nvidia focusing on being a standalone brand was mentioned. The potential impact on consumers and partners following EVGA’s absence from retail shelves for the 40 series cards was also discussed. The video concludes with sentiments of the end of an era in graphics cards, particularly concerning EVGA’s long-standing presence in the industry as it comes to an end in 2022.