Any differences between graphics card manufacturers?

[daw123]

Hello,

This probably a newbie question, but I'm going to post it any way.

I want to buy an ATI HD4870 X2 and I'm wondering if there are any differences between the manufacturer's (Gigabyte, Sapphire, Asus, etc.)?

They seem to have exactly the same spec.

Are some better than others in terms of reliability, stability, etc?

I have a GA-X48T-DQ6 MB, so would it be better to use a Gigabyte card?

Thanks.

btw. I have already RMA'd one Sapphire card because it was faulty.

 

[Billb2]

Warranty.

 

[KingstonU]

Price

 

[daw123]

I thinking abou8t buying this one:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/...4/show_product_reviews

It's the cheapest HD 4870 X2 I could find on the Uk online shops (about $40-60 cheaper than the Gigabyte or Sapphire).

Is Powercolor any good?

Edit: It is also from eBuyer where I got my sound card and PSU from. This is a very very good online shop; I ordered the PSU at 7:00pm and it arrived 9:30am the next day. I got a similar service with the sound card. This alone would encourage me to buy whatever HD 4870 X2 card they have to sell (and they are reasonably cheap )

 

[daw123]

Does any one know if the Powercolor HD 4870 X2 is any good?

The only reviews I can find refer to the HD 4870 X2 generically.

Does any one know the duration of the warranty for this card. The Powercolor website does not have a UK version, so I can't get any warranty details specifically for England.

 

[Tempered81]

Powercolor 4870X2 review:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...5&highlight=powercolor

 

[slick2500]

Now days most cards are just reference design and the only difference is the sticker on the cooler, the hardware software bundle and the warranty.

 

[Sentry2]

I've had no issues with any of the Powercolor cards that I've had over the years.

 

[daw123]

Thanks for the info.

@Sentry2. What warranty did you get with your Powercolor HD4870 X2?

Cheers.

 

[Tempered81]

you just missed the best buy deal for $412 online. Unless you're in the uk and can't get in on that anyway.

 

[daw123]

@jaredpace. Probably not; most US shops either do not ship to the UK or charge a small fortune for shipping.

Edit: I also e-mailed Powercolor to find out what the RMA processs and warranty is for the UK. Once they respond, I will place the order, probably in the next couple of days.

 

[sgrinavi]

Originally posted by: Sentry2
I've had no issues with any of the Powercolor cards that I've had over the years.

Same here, furthermore I find that they OC better than any other brands I have tried.

 

[Butterbean]

Right now Best Buy has VisionTek 4870 x 2 for $412 usd so that's a good reason for VisionTek - along with lifetime warranty. Asus does have its own fan control software (and ATI is adding their own in next Catalyst upgrade - or so I read). Powercolor is doing well for noise and temps in reviews and I would probably get one of those if I was buying now (I have VisionTek at the mo.). Oh and I get Circuit City to pricematch BB.


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...ategories&nrp=15&iht=n

 

[daw123]

Unfortunately, BestBuy do not ship internationally.

 

[daw123]

I've placed the order with eBuyer for the Powercolor HD4870 X2 at $603.00 inc. P & P and V.A.T. (at 17.5%).

This is best deal I could find in the UK. It will arrive in the next couple of days.

I'll just have the liquid cooling to buy, which I will do next month.

Then I'll find out how much this baby (CPU) will overclock.

It'll be interesting to know how much the 3DMark and SuperPi scores improve.

 

[daw123]

The X2 arrived. I will install it later today.

Hopefully, this card will work, unlike the Sapphire.