PCTech Forums

After the lost of a AMD XP 2000+ CPU, i decided to contact AMD about their "advertised" 3 year warranty. After being denied, i was told some very interesting information by a AMD representive. In order for their warranty to be honored, you have to have purchased a Retail Boxed CPU, have the original proof of purchase AND you had to have been using the heatsink and fan that originaly shipped with the CPU. You are not allowed to use an aftermarket HSF. I told the rep that i was using a Thermaltake 6 Cu (thats why i was denied) and it was marked as "AMD Approved", his response was " Its approved by AMD but its still not ours, you must use the original or you void your warranty". As much as i like AMD cpu's, this is the most rediculous thing i've ever heard. I ended the conversation here although there was alot of things i really wanted to say. So my advise is to lie like a dog if your in need of AMD warranty. I think im gong to call them back in a day or too and try again .

I've returned two to Intel. Usually the tech will ask if you have swapped out the cpu with a good one. He'll look up the serial # of both (so don't try to snow them). He'll use the production date for the warrenty time start if you don't have a receipt from the store. Then he'll give you an RMA # and address.

The boxed ones have a serial number on top so you have to wipe off the paste or it gets all over when you examine the chip. Both that I sent in, I didn't include the fan.

They didn't have any PIII 750 so they upgraded me to PIII 1000 with a new fan. They did mention that only the original warrenty was still in place. It didn't start over with the replacement.

You might suggest to AMD that you are more than satisfied with Intels return policy.

Hope this helps

As a footnote, It it isn't boxed, it only has a 90 day warrenty. OEM=90 days!