Brands for ATI graphics card?

[MulLa]

Hi

Well I think it's time for me to upgrade my video card finally. Currenly still have my GeForce256 DDR that I bought when it first came out :Q

I've always been an nvidia person since the TNT days but have wanted to give ATI a shot this time around. Finally after the extremely long wait I've finall managed to notice the Radeon 9800Pro starting to surface in Australia.

Now I just don't know what brands to get? I've read countless posts / reviews that all ATI cards are fairly similar to the reference design so brands don't matter that much?

I don't need anything special just wanted to connect my CRT monitor to it and play games. Things like TV/Out and DVI are not important to me. Well I know that they've become a standard these days. Software bundle are also not important to me don't really care what they include.

I've heard Sapphire are good and I'm leaning towards them a bit.

I'm also considering the Hercules and built by ATI ones but I think they can be a bit costly.

One more brand that I see quite often down here is Powercolor. There isn't a lot of reviews / talks about them on the net I figured they are not that popular in the US. Anyone know this brand at all?

Or should I just stick with Sapphire??


Thanks everyone for your time and advice.

 

[optimistic]

Gigabyte, Hercules, Powercolor, MSI is joining the fray.

I own a Sapphire R9500 modded to 9700. I like how the Saphire can overlock out of the box (no need to flash the bios unlike the powercolor).

My friend is happy with his 9700 Power Color. But my old GF2 GTS Power Color gave me problems for years:frown:

What kind of games do you plan to play with this card?

 

[MulLa]

Thanks optimistic for the quick reply. Sounds like the Sapphire is the way to go. Now I've just got to check out how much difference price wise is between them before I really decide I guess.

Well I am 'trying' to play Splinter Cell, C&C Generals, UT2003, Never Winter Nights. Of course without much success and not getting the most out of it with my current card.

What sort of problems are you having with your Powercolor GF2 GTS card?

 

[aircooled]

Built by ATi and Sapphire are known to be the best.