Building off our last deep dive into hardware reliability based on failure rates, today we’re tackling another critical part of the support experience: RMA Turnaround Times (TAT).
In simpler terms, once a component fails, how long does the brand take to process and return a replacement or repair? For many, this can mean the difference between a quick fix or a frustrating delay.
This data is pulled directly from our internal service records, analyzing over 3,500 systems we’ve built, shipped, and supported. We’ve only included brands with enough RMA cases to provide meaningful stats—so if you don’t see a particular name, it’s likely due to limited data.
Let’s dive in!
CPU RMA Turnaround Times
Intel’s process has seen a huge improvement in the last 3–4 months. Their current warranty system supports advanced replacements—we simply submit the serial number of the faulty product, and a replacement is sent even before we ship back the defective unit. Since we deal with a high volume of Intel components, this streamlined process has made a big difference.
Takeaway: Both AMD and Intel offer fairly fast turnaround times, with AMD edging out slightly ahead. However, Intel handles more volume.
GPU RMA Turnaround Times
Some brands are notorious for extended wait times. A key reason? There’s no complete GPU repair/replacement process in India. Defective units are typically sent back to Taiwan, repaired or replaced there, and then returned—hence the high turnaround times.
Takeaway: Asus leads the pack with fast and consistent service, while Nvidia’s longer average time stands out—likely due to direct handling or less frequent RMA infrastructure.
Motherboard RMA Turnaround Times
Maximum days are often quite high, similar to GPUs. The biggest issue here is how brands count RMA time—most start the clock only when the defective board reaches their service center, not the collection center. However, we start tracking from the day the issue is reported, creating a disconnect in expectations.
Takeaway: Asus and MSI continue to offer solid support times. NZXT’s small sample shows slower handling—though it’s too little data to draw firm conclusions.
RAM RMA Turnaround Times
Many RAM brands offer immediate replacements, which significantly reduces the TAT. However, this isn’t universal—it often depends on the SKU and stock availability. So while average times are low, outliers do occur.
Takeaway: Corsair and G.Skill stand out as reliable options, combining both high volume and fast turnaround.
Storage RMA Turnaround Times
Maximum TATs for storage are just as high as other hardware categories. In terms of behavior, storage and RAM RMAs are quite similar—generally fast, but with occasional delays tied to stock or specific model types.
Takeaway: Seagate takes the crown for quickest average turnaround, with Samsung close behind.
CPU Cooler RMA Turnaround Times
Takeaway: Deepcool and Corsair handle RMAs relatively fast. MSI and Lian Li are noticeably slower.
Power Supplies (PSU)
We haven’t included PSU RMA data in this analysis. Why? Because we follow a very firm in-house PSU testing process, which helps filter out issues before they reach you—keeping RMAs extremely rare in this category.
Final Thoughts
RMA turnaround time is just one piece of the reliability puzzle—but it’s a big one, especially when you’re without a working rig. Some brands clearly invest more into customer support and logistics, and that can make a real difference when things go sideways.
Did a brand surprise you? Got an RMA story to share? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear your experiences.
Thank you for reading!!
