9800 Pro - does it matter which one?

[Nebben]

I'm planning on buying a 9800 Pro when I build my new computer. Does it matter much what brand the card is? I see a lot of generic ones for $170, and an MSI for $210, and some more for higher prices.

Is it a bad idea to get a cheaper one?

 

[Matthias99]

As long as it's got 8 pipes (not a 9800SE) and 256-bit memory, they're all pretty much the same in terms of performance. ATI offers a 3-year warranty on "their" cards; most others are 1-year. And if you buy a retail card you usually get some (really lame) games with it.

Also, some of the more expensive cards have better cooling solutions, or come overclocked from the standard speeds (380/340). You'd have to look at the details on the individual cards, though.

 

[Skillet38]

the cards selling for $170 are the new sucky 128 bit versions.

 

[Concillian]

The 256-bit 128MB cards sell for around $200 ± 10 or so. Most of the higher priced ones are 256MB cards.

As has been said, the lowest priced ones are going to be the 128-bit memory versions.

 

[The Green Bean]

If I were you, Id get MSI since you already have an MSI board....5$s here and there wont hurt.

 

[Schadenfroh]

most of the cards are manufactured by the same people, so almost all the cards differ only in the software package, warrenty, and price. go with which ever one has the best price with warrenty and software in mind. as long as they all have the same clockspeeds and memory bus

(assuming you dont want to overclock)

 

[Nebben]

Is this a good card to get, then?

http://www.buyxtremegear.com/vc124126.html

Appears to be 256 bit.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Nebben
Is this a good card to get, then?

http://www.buyxtremegear.com/vc124126.html

Appears to be 256 bit.

cheaper with free fedex shipping