9600 xt vendor question...i'm a computer noob.

[burn0u7]

Hi i'm building a new computer and i wanted to get a radeon 9600 xt, but I'm a bit confused on which vendors are best. Is the "made by ATI" worth the extra money or is a "lower" priced one like a saphire just as good. I ask this because I had a GeForec4 card made by PNY and it broke on me and PNY never responded to my complaints. If it helps I don't plan on doing anything like overclocking or whatever.

Please help this noob. Thanks in advance.

 

[bandikoot]

From the FAQ

Recommended Brands: (sorted alphabetically)

For ATI based cards:
Best: Built by ATI, Hercules
Good: Gigabyte, Sapphire

Brands to avoid: (sorted alphabetically)

For ATI based cards: GeCube (formerly known as Gigacube), PowerColor

I can say from personal experience that Sapphire will get back to you if it breaks.

 

[burn0u7]

Thanks for the help. So the Best to good vendors list is based on componets right? How is the customer service on those brands? And my original question is the "made by ATI" board worth the extra money?

 

[cleeve]

Made by Ati boards genarally come with a much longer warranty.

If that's worth it to you, buy Ati. If not, just look for the best overclocker.

________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9500 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(hardmodded 9500, o/c 322/322)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>2600+</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 2400+ w/143Mhz fsb)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>4,055</b></font color=red>

 

[addiarmadar]

Cleeve is right there, Just paying more for more warranty. It does not officially mean better quality. For the 9600XT Id get the one from ASUS.

PNY has lifetime warranties for their products. Should be able to do a repair/replace. I got their Ti4600 and still works like a champ..

Barton 2500+ @ 2200mhz (10x220 vcore @ 1.8)
Asus A7N8X Dlx 440 FSB
1gb Geil GD pc3500 Dual Channel (2-3-3-6)
Segata 80gb SATA 8.5ms seek
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro(420/720)

 

[burn0u7]

Ok so I did some price digging and this is what I found:

Sapphire ATI RADEON 9600 XT $154
ATI Radeon 9600 PRO (real ATI) $152

I can get a sapphire 9600xt for $2 more than the Real ATI 9600 Pro....

What would you do?

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Go with the XT.



- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[Vapor]

It's Sapphire, who knows what RAM he'll get...at least the ATi 9600Pro has Samsung 2.86ns (IIRC). I'd probably get the BBA 9600Pro and OC the sh!t out of it.

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

True but for a Computer nOOb, who said <i><font color=purple>"If it helps I don't plan on doing anything like overclocking or whatever." </i></font color=purple>, I'd say the guaranteed stock speed is a benefit, the VPU (and mem?) temp monitor and the chance of ok memory is good. And the speed only matters for an OC.

Believe me I love my R9600Pro and OC'd it will outperform just about any R9600XT at stock speed, but it's still a risk, even in a BBA R9600P which is usually a good bet at OC'ing. But the parameters as stated I'd say the XT all the way.



- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[burn0u7]

thanks guys...I guess i'll go with the xt...unless anyone else wants to weigh in...