Which one?

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 7:01 am

I want to get a Radeon 9800 Pro but I have no idea which one to get, there are soo many people marketing that processor package ATI, Powercolor etc.

Post by **Apoptosis** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 7:23 am

Looking up pricing on our shopping.com site shows many choices for 9800 Pro's.

ATI 9800 Pro 128MB
OEM ATI Card: $122 shipped
Retail Power Color Card: $133 shipped

ATI 9800 Pro 256mb
Retail Sapphire Card:$153 Shipped

Looks like an extra $20 for an additional 128mb right now. Depends on how your budget is looking!
As long as the core is a 9800 Pro the differences between cards is minor. Most are built on the same PCB and only differ by the bundle.

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:28 am

Just make sure that the one you get has the 256 bit bus. There were some made by several companies with a 128 bit bus and were SE versions that did say that they had the slower bus. If it doesn't say 256 bit bus, ask the vendor or pass on the deal. The different vendors were supposed to relabel their cards to reflect the correct speeds, but I'm sure that there are a few retailers out there that are still trying to take advantage of people. READ THE FINE PRINT.

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:48 am

So as far as the "brand name" it makes no dif if its a chaintech or an ASUS ? I have always been under the impression that that BUILT by ATI is better than powered by ATI, am I wrong in that regard?? I will read under the reviews section to see what I find there as well. BTW Bio-Hazard I like your new Sig!! May not be new but I havent see it in a long time so its new to me

Post by **Apoptosis** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:55 am

I've always stuck with built by ATI cards. It is common knowledge though when a new card is put into production that ATI gives their AIB partners their PCB's already completed and all they do is slap their unique cooling solution on it. Like Bio said keep an eye out for the 256-Bit bus and you should be fine.

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:07 am

Merlin wrote:So as far as the "brand name" it makes no dif if its a chaintech or an ASUS ? I have always been under the impression that that BUILT by ATI is better than powered by ATI, am I wrong in that regard?? I will read under the reviews section to see what I find there as well. BTW Bio-Hazard I like your new Sig!! May not be new but I havent see it in a long time so its new to me

It's from my old Army days...........

Army Aviation Master Crew Member Wings..................

20 years on flight status and only crashed twice................