XFX Failed me 3 times, What to do now

[dznuts]

I'm looking for Advice on how to move foward.

Back Story.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2339233/xfx-290x-throttle-crysis.html

TLDR: I am now on the Third XFX 290x DD and it has failed same as the last 2 with no POST.
I have a RMA for the third card but they refuse to pay shipping and the only cards they will replace it with is:
1. Same Exact card
2. Reference 290x
3. 290A "Slower"
4. 290X Black edition OC

What card would you choose?
Would you Call them back and insist they pay shipping?
What would you do after having 3x cards fail in less then 12 months?

After paying shipping for the first bad card and buying the wrong size thermal pads thanks to XFX Tech support telling me the wrong size. on top of spending days of my time. After all of this should i push for a real upgrade "295x2"?

Thanks, Dz

System:
i7 4790k
AsRock z97e-ITX/ac
pny xlr8 120gig ssd x2 raid-0
EVGA 850w SuperNova
XFX R9 290x DD "dead again"
bitfenix prodigy

currently using Sahhpire Vapor-x 7950-Boost has been working great for allmost 3years good ol trusty

 

[Ezo Legendz]

Maybe your PSU had something to do with it i would say go with the 290x black

 

[dznuts]

thanks ezo, i will put my system spec's in the post, i now have a 850w evga supernova after the first card failed i got a new psu.

 

[Ezo Legendz]

thanks ezo, i will put my system spec's in the post, i have a 850w evga supernova

EVGA Supernova is a good PSU. Maybe its just very bad luck then

 

[Esaelias187]

xfx is rubbish when i had the 280x graphics card...it used to overheat like mad

 

[dznuts]

After talking with Mark at XFX 2 more times on the phone and being disconnected/ "Transfered" to the Manager, they have reluctantly agreed to pay the shipping and "upgrade?" to the 290x Black OC.

 

[Ezo Legendz]

Hopefully youll be fine. Good luck .

 

[dznuts]

update: so much for any upgrade after having been offered the Black edition two times i get this. i have added a note as instructed by phone support for the upgrade to black edition, still hope.

"Hello we'll look forward to checking the card out, however you won't be expecting an upgrade to a 290X black edition since that's not the card you originally bought."

On top of this no more lifetime warranty

"as this is now the 3rd RMA for you, the lifetime warranty drops down to a 2 year warranty. That's now part of our policy"

it seems they now have a new policy that revokes my lifetime warranty, how convenient.

Face-Palm -frustration-

 

[dznuts]

I received a New R9-290X Black Edition OC Ver 5.2 "Hynix"
Huge Thanks to Mark at XFX

After playing GTAV for about 2 hours the temps are good GPU 75*C VRM1 84*C VRM2 65*C with fans topping out at 76% this is a huge improvement

screenshot
http://i.imgur.com/K5H0Gx2.gif