ATI Pro or Sapphire

[Codyz28]

I am wondering whats a good card to get. I am going to have a pc built and would like to know weather to go with the "Gigabyte ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 256MB Model GV-R98P256D" or the cheaper "Sapphire Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB DDR DVI/TV-out 8X AGP". Or would a "Sapphire Radeon 9600 128MB DDR DVI/TV-out" be just as good? I could get that card for $328 cheaper, but would it play the upcoming games as well as the older ones? I like the older games like Baldurs Gate, bg2, etc. and want something that will play them plus some new titles such as neverwinternights, or the Starwars Games. Is a Sapphire a generic ATI? This is where I am lost. There are so many brands with an ATI name. Thanks =)

Cody

 

[newbiepcuser]

I would say Sapphire, just save your money. You can always try to OC the video card.

If you want high end, then the Hercules card is pretty nice looking.


remember, the 9900 pro is around the corner.

 

[Codyz28]

Thanks. I was thinking the same thing weather to wait for the 9900 to come out, then hopefully the 9800 will drop drasticaly in price. Thing is I realy need a new pc real quick cause this old one i am on right now is breathing its last few breaths. Although if they will come out with it near the last of Sept. or early Oct, then i can manage a few more weeks of waiting. Is the 9600 even worth getting to save the money? They dont have the 9700, so my options are these:

Sapphire Radeon 9500 128MB DDR 8X AGP (powered by ATI) [-$323]
Sapphire Radeon 9600 128MB DDR DVI/TV-out - (Powered by ATI) [-$328]
Sapphire Radeon 9800 PRO 128MB DDR DVI/TV-out 8X AGP | (powered by ATI) [-$96]
ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DDR 8X AGP [-$61]
Gigabyte ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 256MB

Thanks again,

cody

 

[D0S3D]

if you have the cash go for the normal ati one,

i have the ati all in wonder and now i can watch tv in my room and do a huge amount of editting if i were to rip shows off the tv

 

[Codyz28]

Thanks. Can the all in wonder play most games? I thought about that one too. I hear the 9800 is very noisy?

 

[Schadenfroh]

the AIW is the same as the regular card cept with VIVO and a TV tuner

 

[Sunner]

FYI Sapphire makes cards for ATi, so when buying an "ATi original" you're buying a Sapphire in a different box.
Can work the other way around too, I bought a Sapphire 9800, and I got a "Built by ATi" card, ATi HSF, marking, etc.

 

[Codyz28]

So with a tv tuner and this VIVO, (forgive my ignorance), you can use the computer's dvd player and watch a dvd on your television? Many thanx =)

cody

 

[Sunny129]

Originally posted by: Codyz28
So with a tv tuner and this VIVO, (forgive my ignorance), you can use the computer's dvd player and watch a dvd on your television? Many thanx =)

cody

no, a TV tuner allows you to watch TV on your computer monitor. the TV-out function of the AIW and non-AIW cards allow you to use your TV as a monitor, so that will allow you to watch DVDs on your TV that you're playing from your computer.

as far as your original question, it seems to me the only difference between the two cards you're considering besides the brand is memory, 256MB vs 128MB. 256MB is just a way to make your system "future proof" as textures in games get bigger. but that much memory on a card won't be necessary for quite some time.

 

[yunvme]

Get the Sapphire 9800 NP (128) and flash the bios to the pro version. The card at new egg is only $249 with free shipping.