ATI 9700 Choices (input appreciated)

[RonO]

Hello all. New to these forums, but I spent most of last night looking at all the various threads here on the ATI 9700 vs. the 9700 Pro.

I'm in the process of identifying and purchasing (in the next few days) all the components for a new system. I've built every system I own for the past four years and I don't see a reason to stop at this time. I'm currently reviewing my options among the Radeon cards on the market. Up until yesterday, I was certain I would purchase this card:

FTI Computer ATI Radeon 9700 Pro

After reading the reviews at Tom's, Guru3D, and Beyond3, I believe it would be acceptable to take the small step down to the 9700 non-Pro, but it seems many of them are only for sale over in Europe. For example, I would really like to get my hands on the Hercules 3D Prophet 9700, but this card can't be found in the US market despite being offically 'released' (according to the US Hercules web site). So....I'm also looking at these two cards:

FTI Computer PowerColor Radeon 9700

or

PC Parts 4 Less Sapphire Radeon 9700


Which of these choices would you pick? If the answer is 'none', what would you put in place (still keeping it one of these two types of cards)? Any hard core reservations about these vendors?

A few more bits of info...I'm not looking to overclock the card. What I get is what will run. I'm not putting this in a tip-top of the line system, but I don't consider it a mid-tier system. Current plan is an AMD 2600+, Epox EP-8RDA+, 1 gig Corsair PC3200. The USD50 differential between these two lines (if I go 9700 non-Pro) would go to another component on my list.

Thanks for the feedback.

Ron

 

[TheBDB]

Welcome to Anandtech.

In my opinion the difference between the non-Pro and Pro is not worth the $50 or more dollar difference.

I have the PowerColor 9700 non-Pro, and it works just fine, but the clock speeds are not what they are supposed to be. My card has a core speed of 324 MHz and memory speed of 297 MHz. However, I've heard of others with the PowerColor who have speeds much less than they are supposed to be. I would look at the warranty offered by both and the return policy of the vendors and choose based on that. The cards should be the same performance wise.

 

[FearoftheNight]

Personally I like Sapphire they're just like built by ATI cards. I personally have a Sapphire Radeon 9500 Pro...software and I can't tell diff. And if you're feeling adventurous everyone seems to be saying you can do a BIOS flash into a 9700 pro.

 

[BoomAM]

Sapphire.
I have the Sapphire 9700PRO.
I THINK that the standard 9700 hercules card, is available from Overclockers UK. As for US, not a clue where you can get them. Try something like NewEgg, ive heard that company name alot around the forums.

 

[blindtothagame]

i have the hercules 9700pro i just brought it two days ago n im in love watch out for FTI
i brought my powercolor 9700 pro from them and it turned out 2 be a nightmare lucky they
gave me my money back i will not deal with FTI TRYIN TO SAVE $$$$$
i ended up losing $$$$$$.....
this company has the hercules RETAIL n OEM
go with the hercles you cant go wrong.......
www.essencompu.com.....

 

[RonO]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll go with the Sapphire 9700 non-Pro.

Now on to figuring out which case I want....

 

[kylebisme]

i had an fic motherboard back in the day that i had to rma twice so i am a little biased against them, on the other hand sapphire actualy makes ati cards themselfs so that sounds a lot nicer. granted fic might be beter than i give them credit for. either way, unless you realy need to buy a card now, don't. the prices have been the same for quite some time and that is bound to change soon.

 

[RonO]

Originally posted by: TheSnowman
unless you realy need to buy a card now, don't. the prices have been the same for quite some time and that is bound to change soon.

Heh. My wife is quite surprised I haven't purchased any components yet. I'm afraid she might start eyeing the money I've set aside for the new system if I don't start buying soon.

 

[kylebisme]

well if that is all it is, seriosuly, just hide 400$ from her and wait for the 9800 which ati says will be out in a month, or at least save yourself a good 25%+ on a 9700. i know the women can be ticky to deal with but i think in this case it seems worth while.