9700 Pro refurbs at Newegg ???

[ginfest]

I've been debating whether to get a 9700 Pro for the last month but decided it wasn't worth the $350.xx+ pricetag over my GF4. Then I was going to get the 9700 but didn't want the 3.6 mem. I have looked into this 9500-9700 mod but can't decide if I want to chance it.
Now I see that Newegg just posted a bunch of 9700 Pro refurbs at good prices and I'd like your advise/experiences.

They have an ATI 9700 Pro ($254.xx) retail, a Sapphire OEM(red pcb/ATI fan) ($237.xx), a Sapphire Retail (red PCB/ATI fan) (241.xx) and a black PCB/orb fan Sapphire OEM (235.xx).
Some of the boards show 1 small chip near the DVI connector, others show 2 chips. Is the 1-chip the older v1 boards and the 2 chip the newer versions of the card?.
Also, they say "bare card", has anyone got the power connector or other stuff with thier refurbs?

Is any of these "better" or is it hit or miss with these refurbs?

TIA,
Mike G

 

[DoobieOnline]

Don't know about the chip configs you spoke of, but Sapphire is supposedly making all of ATi's 9700 Pros so I'm sure any of those choices would be a good one. From some of the other posts I've read concerning Newegg refurbs, you probably won't get a power connector but Axiontech has them for $2 plus shipping. I absolutely love my Sapphire Atlantis 9700 Pro! Good luck.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Supposedly there is to be a fairly solid software mod for the 9500 to 9700 which would be a fairly safe way to go about it. Also, unless you need a card right now, It probably would be best to wait until the 9700 starts to get some competition. so far it has already dropped $50 in price in the wake of the GeForce FX. How much more it will drop once the FX is actually available in fair quantity, well I think it may be worth it to wait.

 

[filmore crashcart]

I took my chances on a refurb Saphire 9700 pro (non Atlantis type with the stock ATI hsf). It came with nothing... not even the power connector. But, I had an old sparkle 300w that I wasn't using anymore and an old fan with the right kind of connector and, using connectors from both of them, I made my own power cord in about 5 minutes. The card runs great and I'm pleased - especially with the price I ended up paying for it.