Video Card Question...

[Murgatroyd]

I'm going to be buying a new video card this week, and was looking at the ati 9800 pro's on newegg.com, and found that they have several models. Seeing as how I'm lazy and don't feel like doing research, I figured I'd ask you guys what the difference between the "Sapphire", "Powercolor" and regular models.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=0&submit=Go&description=ati%2Cradeon%2C9800%2Cpro

[igloo17 Profile]

I'd recommend the real built by ATI (bba) retail boxed card.

But some have good luck with other cards, I think rcglider has a powercolor radeon 9700 pro.

Even if you dont get the BBA card, I'd still recommend a retail boxed card.

[Bullhead]

I've heard good things about both powercolor and sapphire.....but I'd recommend the Bulit-By ATI cards over them. Hardware is fairly similar, but you COULD run into issues with drivers, or support, or they (sapphire, powercolor, etc) could go outta business....

just m 2cents though

[RCglider Profile]

Just make sure you get a retail boxed card. I've bought Powercolors, Sapphires and ATI (I have the Powercolor, bought other brands for other people)....little or no difference in performance as long as you don't get "OEM" or "BULK". The money saved is not worth the risk imo. Just a word of caution.

Remember, OEM bulk usually means (in my experience) you're getting a card that has some inferior components such as memory and they will not overclock well or at all. Also, you could be getting someone else's return and there's no telling why they returned it. Anyone remember the ATI "OEM" fiasco a few years ago? Some may have good luck with OEM, but not me. Then again, even a blind squirrel will find a nut eventually.

[shockwave203 Profile]

Powercolor and sapphire cards are nearly identical, really. they both use good parts, both use good ram, so flip a coin and call heads or tails , because you'll be happy with either one.

I would personally go with a powercolor, but that's just because I currently own a powercolor 9700np, and the core on this baby can be pushed up to 370 from 275 with no extra cooling. Not many cards can have their core bumped up past 100 mhz without stability issues, but this card can for some reason.

but yeah, they're both good. I'd say go with the cheaper one

[Major SONAR Profile]

It's taken me a long time to learn this...

"You get what you pay for"

You might get lucky, but more often than not, I've been burned by going the cheap route. Now I buy the item I want even if it it costs a bit more.

Just my 2 cents.