Built by ATI or Powered by ATI?

[GoldFiles]

As you all know, the x800 XT PE card is very hard to come by. AGP and PCI-e versions alike. However, sapphire, asus, visiontek, and other companies that build ati "powered-by" cards have a few in stock. I am holding out until ATI actually has their version of the card for sale, but I would like to know: Is there a difference between the "powered by" and "built by" ATI cards?

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Yes. BBA are well-tested reference design.

Depending on 3rd-party manufacturer, some may skimp and use cheap capacitors, mosfets, etc.

And some have jacked up prices because of premium-quality japanese capacitors, high-rated korean memory bfg modules, etc.

choose wisely.

 

[Avalon]

There is no major difference if you're talking between BBA and Powercolor, typically. Sapphire also basically makes BBA cards, so they're also usually quite good. I can't quite say much about my Connect3d card because I have nothing to compare it to. As for other brands...don't know.

 

[GoldFiles]

I think I want to hold out and purchase a built by ati card. I dont entirely trust the other companies.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: GoldFiles
I think I want to hold out and purchase a built by ati card. I dont entirely trust the other companies.

That's a very good decision. These guys neglected to mention that a retail built-by ATi card comes w/ a 5-year warranty. Most of the others are only 1-year.

 

[OnEMoReTrY]

I have a BBA x800 pro, and my friend just recently got a HSI (Hitech) x800 pro, they score identical at the same speeds. The cards themselves are absolutly identical, infact HSI just put a sticker OVER the RADEON sticker on the actual card. So im pretty sure its a BBA card basicly.