Korean Job Discussion Forums

Adam J · Joined: 11 Apr 2004

Hello,

I am aware that Seoul has some great electronics stores, but I've also read that some things might be more expensive, or difficult/impossible to find with English instructions.

I want a new video card (Geforce 6800GT), and wireless mouse/keyboard.
Newegg.com seems to be the best place to buy this stuff online, but doesn't ship internationally. Should I just buy it before leaving?

And yes, I will probably buy another keyboard with Hangul characters on it, but I'd like the option of switching back and forth for now.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Every product I have bought (HDDs, Graphics cards, etc...) all have had English instructions.

Online retailers will always be cheaper, but there are a couple of things to bear in mind, the most important being if one must return the product for any reason, there will be a long downtime involved due to shipping. Buying in Korea, the retail prices are comparable and the downtime if something isn't working is simply a trip to Yongsan for an exchange.

Anyways, instruction manuals can all be downloaded and besides, who needs an instruction manual for a graphics card? Pretty straight forward stuff.

keninseoul · Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul

imported stuff usually costs significantly MORE here (and selection can be a problem) - the local video cards and such can be price competitive IF they import the main chips and manufacture here. If you demand a high-end video card or other high-end stuff get ot from abroad.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Yeah, they really seem to put a premium on the newer "extras" here.

Basic components are generally similar, but you don't seem to find the deep discounts on older models, however.

Price on your card, XFX Geforce 6800GT in the USA: $400
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1212069&CatId=0

Price in Korea:

XFX GeForce 6800GT PCX(256M) �ۼַ�Ʈ = 525,000 won in Korea on enuri.com (sorry, it won't allow a link)

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Chaintech 6800GT 256MB: 425,000

Gigabyte 6800GT 256MB: 445,000

XFX GeForce 6800: 500,000

The OP said nothing of an XFX Geforce 6800....Geforce 6800GT is what they said, and there is little difference between them.

Anyways, even at 500,000...it isn't high enough for me to really care. I get good service if it's broken (a quick exchange), don't have to wait for shipping in that event and the price is always negotiable to a degree.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Sorry Demo, try comparing apples to apples.

I was quoting prices on the higher-quality PCI Express version with Dual DVI output. The prices you threw out were for cheaper AGP cards with single DVI. I really expected you to know that there is often a difference in price between AGP and PCI Express cards.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Derrek...re-read the OP and tell me where it says XFX, PCI-E or Dual-DVI.

The OP wants to upgrade their video card....when bus do you suppose they have right now? Most likely AGP. Do you think they have a PCI-E mainboard? I doubt it.

The link I provided is for a PCI XFX GeForce 6800GT card. Did you even click the link?

Companies do differ Derrek. Clock speeds, memory speeds, cooling...many variations of note. If not, what on earth would distinguish between all of them? Do you shop by colour?

I only provided a PCI-E card link to show you your price was wrong and the price isn't so bad for various reasons.

As usual Derrek, you are trying way too hard and making trouble over nothing except your inability to clearly read a post without inference. My AGP inference was different from yours in only one way: It had a much higher chance of being correct. Laughing

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Yes, Demo, I did. And thank-you. Your link did an excellent job of proving my point, and answering the OP's original question.

You can, indeed buy for much cheaper back home.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

Make sure you have a PSU that gives out a sufficient amount of power. I had to buy a new one to power my new 6600gt. I got a 500W unit for 49000won.

syclick · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: Seoul

Adam J · Joined: 11 Apr 2004

Whoa Demo and Derrek! Thanks for the responses though Smile

For the record, I'm looking for a 8x AGP card. No PCI Express on last year's computer.

Hollywood -

What else do you have plugged into your machine using power? I've only got a 250 watt power supply on a Small Form Factor machine with one 3.5 and one 5.25 optical drive. The SFF geeks assure me that I have enough power to run the 6800GT, but not some of the other high end cards out there.

Thanks everyone!