ATI retail vs. ATI 'Powered by ATI'???

[JC]

OK, time for a new vid card. I have a 2x/4x mobo (KG7) at the moment, with a GF2/Ti450. I'm thinking 9600 Pro, seems to be the 'sweet spot' right now. Here's my question: I recall a while back, that ATI was using 'built by ATI' on cards they made themselves, and OEMs that used the Radeon chipset would call them 'powered by ATI', and that you should only buy 'built by ATI' cards, for quality reasons. Now when shopping today, I find ATI brand retail cards and ATI OEM 'powered by ATI' cards. Whassup here? I thought all cards made by ATI were 'built by ATI'???? I'm cornfused......

Here's the cards I'm looking at: ATI 9600 Pro 256MB OEM @ MWave Link, or ATI 9600 Pro 128MB retail @ Newegg Link. If the difference is that the retail comes with some games, I'd prolly lean towards the OEM 256MB card.

Little help? Thanks.

JC

 

[Mem]

This should help you here ,brand wise I like and own a Sapphire 9700 ,Sapphire actually make some cards for ATi.

 

[JC]

I see. So the 256MB card is not actually an ATI card, although MWave lists it as such....it's not listed as a Sapphire, PowerColor, or anything.

 

[edmundoab]

mine is built by ATi, and I've not had a sapphire card to compare the difference.

 

[Pete]

Do not buy a 256MB 9600 "Pro," as the memory is at non-Pro speeds! Besides, 256MB is useles on anything less than a Radeon 9700P or FX 5900.

Retail-boxed "built-by-ATi" ATi cards come with a three-year warranty thru ATi; "powered by ATi" cards that you buy online usually come with a one-year warranty thru the store you buy them from (though Visiontek ones come with a lifetime warranty thru Vtek). The included software (games, DVD player) and hardware (DVI adapter, s-video cable) varies from card to card, so check with the store to see what you'll get.

If you're looking at a 9600P, consider ordering an ATi 9600XT, which will be $200 + tax and includes a coupon for Half-Life 2 (probably only the single-player version, but that's far better than nothing). ATi is taking preorders now, but the card won't ship for 4-6 weeks (from ATi or anyone else).

 

[Reliant]

I own a Sapphire card and I have no problems.

 

[JC]

Originally posted by: Pete
Do not buy a 256MB 9600 "Pro," as the memory is at non-Pro speeds! Besides, 256MB is useles on anything less than a Radeon 9700P or FX 5900.

Retail-boxed "built-by-ATi" ATi cards come with a three-year warranty thru ATi; "powered by ATi" cards that you buy online usually come with a one-year warranty thru the store you buy them from (though Visiontek ones come with a lifetime warranty thru Vtek). The included software (games, DVD player) and hardware (DVI adapter, s-video cable) varies from card to card, so check with the store to see what you'll get.

If you're looking at a 9600P, consider ordering an ATi 9600XT, which will be $200 + tax and includes a coupon for Half-Life 2 (probably only the single-player version, but that's far better than nothing). ATi is taking preorders now, but the card won't ship for 4-6 weeks (from ATi or anyone else).

More good info. Thanks

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: edmundoab
mine is built by ATi, and I've not had a sapphire card to compare the difference.

pics of your 3dfx collection or BAN

 

[Mem]

The included software (games, DVD player) and hardware (DVI adapter, s-video cable) varies from card to card, so check with the store to see what you'll get.

My Sapphire 9700NP retail came with PowerDVD 4 CD,DVI to VGA adaptor,s-video Cables and the Sapphire installation CD which I didn`t bother with ,since I just downloaded and installed the latest ATi drivers from ATi`s website.FYI it`s identical to the reference ATi 9700NP.

Remember to be a partner for ATi the companies that make "powered by ATI" cards must meet the ATi quality control/spec standards .

 

[Mem]

Btw JC,if you don`t want to do a reformat when you get your ATi card,I would highly recommend you download Driver Cleaner 2 to remove virtually all traces of the old Nvidia drivers,it also works with ATi drivers as well.



Driver Cleaner 2 .

 

[Le Québécois]

If you dont plan on overclocking your card, go with PowerColor. ( well many online site seem to say they are identical the saphire or ATI but they dont overclock well ) This is my second PwerColor card since april ( first a 9700pro and now a 9800pro ) They come with a 2 warranty and cost about 75$-100$ CAN less than the others brand ( well at least in Montreal ).
And like other ppl said, wait for the 9600XT....It will be the best card you can have for your money!

 

[JC]

Originally posted by: Mem
Btw JC,if you don`t want to do a reformat when you get your ATi card,I would highly recommend you download Driver Cleaner 2 to remove virtually all traces of the old Nvidia drivers,it also works with ATi drivers as well.



Driver Cleaner 2 .

Nice....thanks

BTW, I got the ATI 9600 Pro from Newegg....should be here tomorrow


JC