Newegg Launches Official & Unofficial AMD Radeon R9 Game Bundles
by Ryan Smith on May 14, 2015 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
- AMD
- Radeon
- Newegg
- Game Bundles
Kudos to the PC Perspective crew for tracking this one down. It looks like Newegg is running a very unusual set of video game bundles with AMD’s higher-end Radeon cards.
Having apparently launched in parts over the last couple of weeks, Newegg is now bundling multiple video games with many of the Radeon R9 cards the e-tailer carries. A “base” offer involves the recently launched DIRT Rally, Codemasters’ latest off-road rally driving game, which is being offered with most of the R9 cards. Meanwhile the also recently launched Grand Theft Auto V is also being offered as a bundled game in a more limited fashion, being included with many of the R9 290 and 290X cards.
What makes this bundle so unusual however is its simultaneous official and unofficial nature. Officially AMD is running a DIRT Rally bundle – though having never released an announcement about it – and according to the terms & conditions this bundle has been going on as recently as April 27th, DIRT Rally’s launch day. Meanwhile Grand Theft Auto just recently begun showing up at Newegg, and unlike the DIRT bundle, AMD is disavowing all knowledge of this, stating that they are not involved in the GTA bundle.
| Newegg Radeon R9 Game Bundles | |
| Video Card | Bundle |
| Radeon R9 295X2 | DIRT Rally |
| Radeon R9 290 Series | DIRT Rally + Grand Theft Auto V |
| Radeon R9 285 Radeon R9 280 Series Radeon R9 270 Series |
DIRT Rally |
As a result the cards covered by these various bundles are a bit more inconsistent than in official AMD bundles. 7 of the 9 R9 290 cards include DIRT, and only 5 of those 7 include GTA V. For the R9 290X, 15 of the 17 cards include DIRT, and 10 of those 17 cards include GTA V. Consequently while we typically always say to double-check cards for bundles before purchasing, this time we really mean it, as more cards than usual are being excluded.
Overall, although retailer-specific offers are not unprecedented, these days it’s very rare to have retailers run their own video game bundle promotions. Typically such promotions are backed by the manufacturer, if only to take advantage of the buying power of such a large order. So for Newegg to offer their own GTA V bundle is quite a surprise, and if it were not for the fact that Newegg is the only retailer doing this it would be hard to believe, especially given the high-profile nature of GTA V. Meanwhile the availability of the DIRT bundle is similarly odd; along with Newegg it’s available at NCIX, but surprisingly not Amazon or Best Buy. For the moment at least, it looks like it’s just Newegg that gets all the goods.
In any case, given the unofficial nature of these bundles, there isn’t a published end date for either bundle. The AMD DIRT Rally codes are valid until the end of 2015, however we would expect the promotion to end much sooner than that. Consequently very little of this makes any sense, but for prospective Radeon R9 buyers, enjoy it while it lasts.
Update - 5/15/2015: Well that didn't last for very long. As of this morning all of the GTA V bundles are gone, and now only a handful of cards quality for the DIRT bundle; 2 of the R9 290s and 5 of the R9 290Xs. The entire situation gets curiouser and curiouser, and for the time being it looks like the bundles have tapered off almost as quickly as they appeared.
Source: PC Perspective
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edzieba - Thursday, May 14, 2015 - link
While only a single datapoint, if other sites start putting up unofficial bundles then it could indicate an unexpectedly sudden desire to clear stock prior to a new product line. If the rebadges in the OEM like of 3xx series cards carry through, a sudden desire to dump effectively the same cards could indicate AMD are pricing the non-HBM 3xx cards aggressively.Peichen - Thursday, May 14, 2015 - link
Does it matter? Everyone love GTA 4 and since it is Newegg, that's like half the US online computer parts sale.chizow - Thursday, May 14, 2015 - link
Yeah GTA 5 is awesome, its too bad they didnt' bundle them pre-launch but honestly shouldn't matter too much since GTA 5 will be a very relevant title until at least the holiday season, when it might start seeing some price drops.chizow - Thursday, May 14, 2015 - link
Also, as a side-note, a massive retailer like Newegg catching wind and working directly with partners to clear the channel is a pretty solid indication that new parts are coming from AMD.Manch - Thursday, May 14, 2015 - link
I bought 2 290X 8GB cards from New Egg and they were supposed to have the never settle game bundles. I didn't receive the bundles and they wouldn't honor them either. They said they ran out of codes even though they had codes when I ordered. New Egg can suck themselves.chizow - Thursday, May 14, 2015 - link
Doing your part I see, honestly that is good. I've always said if every pro-AMD poster here bought an AMD card or two and "voted with their wallet" as they love to claim, it would go a long way in helping them out, and they certainly need the help more than ever.I do have to take exception to the anti-Newegg comment though, they've been great with these codes. Probably more of an issue with AMD not having enough codes to give out. Newegg has been great with providing the codes even to people who ordered before a promotion was offered (happened 2x recently with Nvidia bundles).
If you didn't open them though, you should just get a refund. Even if you opened them you have a legitimate reason to return for full refund since the codes will show up in your invoice, if you didn't get them they should take them back.
Manch - Thursday, May 14, 2015 - link
Oh you the NVIDIA puppet again. Trolling again are we? I bought the cards bc they suited my needs and I got a great deal on them. @ $275 a piece.You can take exception all you want. They may have done you a solid but they did me no favors.
chizow - Thursday, May 14, 2015 - link
Who said I was trolling? Sheesh, relax lol. I know its hard to be an AMD fan nowadays, but I was just commending you on putting your money where your mouth is, unlike so many of your fellow AMD advocates. AMD needs people buying their products now more than ever, and this promotion is obviously geared in that direction, so hopefully it is working for them. By your purchases, it looks like that's the case!Again, in the case of Newegg, you have recourse. If they sold you the cards and the bundles were advertised, you should be able to return them and rebuy another one that has the promotion. That to me just makes sense and I've found them more than reasonable and accomodating as thousands of others on the internet have regarding these gaming bundles.
dotpex - Friday, May 15, 2015 - link
chicow is an nvidia bot, a.k.a Jason Chowhere is a picture of him: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2917202787/85...
silverblue - Friday, May 15, 2015 - link
Now, now, no need to get (as) personal.