ASRock Prevented by AMD to Sell its Graphics Cards in the EU

[newtekie1]

We had N brand choices before GPP was unveiled (and before AsRock decided to enter the market) and now we have N+1 brand choices thanks to Asus AREZ and death of GPP. Yeah, the delta isn't over 9000, but I think it's looking pretty good

It is sad that the brand is now words tacked on to the model. The brand is ASUS or AsRock or Gigabyte or MSI or EVGA or XFX or Sapphire etc. The stupid buzz words that these companies are sticking on their graphics cards, and other prodcuts, is not the brand no matter how much anyone says it is.

ASUS creating AREZ didn't increase the number of brands, or add any extra choice to the market. If they shift a card from being called a Strix to being called an AREZ, no extra choice was added. And at the end of the day, you still have the same number of cards to pick from.

And the most important thing is people should be picking parts based on features, not based on the model line name slapped on the box.

 

[Xaled]

A very desperate makeup-something--from-nothing response from nVidia and their paid and unpaid nvidiots. this is not even close to the notorious GPP

 

[cdawall]

I've read on another forum that it's not just about the bargain with AMD. Chaintech does not have at least some of the certificates necessary to manufacture products that can be traded in EU. This also means they're doing the production cheaper compared to TUL who has those certificates and so produce most of the cards sold in the EU.

I already assumed this was the reasoning. Are any Chaintech brand products sold in the EU?

 

[Valantar]

I already assumed this was the reasoning. Are any Chaintech brand products sold in the EU?

ASRock motherboards are sold here. They probably need different certifications, though.

 

[sutyi]

I've read on another forum that it's not just about the bargain with AMD. Chaintech does not have at least some of the certificates necessary to manufacture products that can be traded in EU. This also means they're doing the production cheaper compared to TUL who has those certificates and so produce most of the cards sold in the EU.

Interesting bit of info on the manufacturing side of things, although not manufacturing for this chunk of economic block is intriguing. Would probably make more sense if had numbers behind this decision, oh well...

 

[Kaotik]

I don't understand how this ever became news. Certain brands limited to certain markets has been standard practice since forever, it was already happening in the Voodoo-days (while 3dfx kicked out most OEMs, they kept PowerColor in and allowed them to sell Voodoos only on certain markets)

 

[cdawall]

ASRock motherboards are sold here. They probably need different certifications, though.

Just because asrock boards exist doesn't mean they use the same oem as their graphics devision.

 

[Valantar]

Just because asrock boards exist doesn't mean they use the same oem as their graphics devision.

That's a good point.

 

[PrEzi]

AMD banning ASRock? That is spreading FUD and trying to put AMD in a bad light.

See the update from Forbes (plus also Tom's Hardware has posted some updates already, of course the topic here is not updated and totally misleading) :
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasone...st-radeon-gpu-partner-from-selling-in-europe/

Maybe it was a targeted harassment in the light of “Freedom of Choice in PC Gaming” marketing campaign (in response to GPP)?

 

[Valantar]

AMD banning ASRock? That is spreading FUD and trying to put AMD in a bad light.

See the update from Forbes (plus also Tom's Hardware has posted some updates already, of course the topic here is not updated and totally misleading) :
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasone...st-radeon-gpu-partner-from-selling-in-europe/

Maybe it was a targeted harassment in the light of “Freedom of Choice in PC Gaming” marketing campaign (in response to GPP)?

Harassment is definitely not the right word here, but to a certain degree this non-news getting blown out of proportion at this exact moment does smell a bit fishy.

 

[Ruru]

What the f...

Tho those are too slow for an upgrade from GTX 980. I would need Crossfire at least.

 

[Patriot]

What the f...

Tho those are too slow for an upgrade from GTX 980. I would need Crossfire at least.

Doesn't matter, this article is fud, Asrock isn't making cards they are making stickers for chaintek cards and you don't want the cheap shit. Chaintek is not certified to sell in EU. That prevents them from selling not AMD.

 

[Fluffmeister]

AsRock knew what they were signing up for, shitty Polaris cards going straight down the mine in Asia, it was a clear cash grab from them with a hefty nudge from AMD.

Let them die in the cold together.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

AMD banning ASRock? That is spreading FUD and trying to put AMD in a bad light.

See the update from Forbes (plus also Tom's Hardware has posted some updates already, of course the topic here is not updated and totally misleading) :
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasone...st-radeon-gpu-partner-from-selling-in-europe/

Maybe it was a targeted harassment in the light of “Freedom of Choice in PC Gaming” marketing campaign (in response to GPP)?

To quote

ASRock got into the GPU game with cryptocurrency mining in mind. Indeed, it was initially reported that they were launching mining-based SKUs. What I've been told -- and I confirmed this twice over the phone and again via email -- is that in Europe, ASRock has decided not to sell Phantom Gaming graphics cards commercially. They won't appear in online or brick-and-mortal PC retail shops. They are only intended for miners and industrial use. Furthermore, the minimum order quantity for these customers is 500 pieces.

Had nothing to do with AMD.

First thought that came to my mind was that ASRock didn't make them RoHS compliant, ergo, illegal to sell in EU. Chaintek could be barred from sale for the same reason. Even if that was the case, it's EU law forbidding entry and has nothing to do with AMD. AMD's chips are RoHS compliant so it would be something ASRock decided to not do. Could be using lead-based solder for all we know (not RoHS compliant).

 

[theGryphon]

TPU should be better than this, come on guys, show a bit of responsible journalism!

By the way, i just came to the realization that Chaintech is an anagram of Chinatech