Graphics card query

[RandomDude]

What graphics cards would you guys recommand for Far Cry to run resonabbly well.Looking at under $250 U.S.

 

[Algere]

Not a unpopular choice but the Radeon 9800 Pro should suffice under that budget.

 

[RandomDude]

Any particular 9800pro in mind?

 

[Algere]

Any will do probably (Sapphire, ATI, ASUS, etc.).

 

[Corporate Thug]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=14-102-268&DEPA=0

 

[RandomDude]

What you guys think of this?
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-161-109&depa=1
Is it worth the extra money?

 

[Schadenfroh]

no, its a 9800 pro with a VGA silencer attached, you can get a 9800 pro and the vga silencer from svc and attach it youself and save some $

 

[sodcha0s]

I know I'll get slammed for this, but stay away from the sapphire and power color cards. It's worth the few extra $$$ to get the built by ATI IMO. People say sapphire builds cards for ATI and they are the same, but I have my doubts.

 

[Matthias99]

People say sapphire builds cards for ATI and they are the same, but I have my doubts.

Uh... Sapphire *DOES* build cards for ATI (at least some of them). Although that is NOT a guarantee that the ones they sell under the "Sapphire" brand are exactly the same as the ones they produce for ATI, they certainly seem to be. I have a Sapphire 9800Pro "Ultimate", and it's worked without a hitch, and OCs up to and past 9800XT clocks. You can't ask for much more than that.

It *is* worth noting that the ATI cards come with a 3-year warranty, whereas OEM cards only carry a 1-year warranty. If you're not overclocking your card, that could be a big difference.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: sodcha0s
I know I'll get slammed for this, but stay away from the sapphire and power color cards. It's worth the few extra $$$ to get the built by ATI IMO. People say sapphire builds cards for ATI and they are the same, but I have my doubts.

you are wrong. COMPLETELY wrong.



do not listen to this n00b, get the sapphire, it is AWESOME.

 

[McArra]

Shappire and Powercolor are both gret cards...

 

[Lonyo]

Get an ATi card if it's not too much $$$ more because of the warranty.
An extra $13 for 2 years more warranty is a fairly good deal.

 

[sodcha0s]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: sodcha0s
I know I'll get slammed for this, but stay away from the sapphire and power color cards. It's worth the few extra $$$ to get the built by ATI IMO. People say sapphire builds cards for ATI and they are the same, but I have my doubts.

you are wrong. COMPLETELY wrong.



do not listen to this n00b, get the sapphire, it is AWESOME.

Listen NOOB, I've HAD an AWESOME sapphire card that never worked right and smelled like it was burning up from day one. I'm speaking from EXPERIENCE, at least my own. I understand there are a lot of people that are happy with their sapphire cards, but IN MY EXPERIENCE it was an inferior product. Your opinion is different and that's cool. But don't call me a nOOb and say I'm completely wrong for stating mine.

Matthias99, I should have been more specific. I don't doubt that sapphire makes cards for ATI, what I do doubt is that the sapphire branded cards are of the same quality. Seems more people have trouble with these cards than the ATI ones. And as you stated, there is a warranty difference. To me, it's worth the few extra $$$.

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: sodcha0s

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: sodcha0s
I know I'll get slammed for this, but stay away from the sapphire and power color cards. It's worth the few extra $$$ to get the built by ATI IMO. People say sapphire builds cards for ATI and they are the same, but I have my doubts.

you are wrong. COMPLETELY wrong.



do not listen to this n00b, get the sapphire, it is AWESOME.

Listen NOOB, I've HAD an AWESOME sapphire card that never worked right and smelled like it was burning up from day one. I'm speaking from EXPERIENCE, at least my own. I understand there are a lot of people that are happy with their sapphire cards, but IN MY EXPERIENCE it was an inferior product. Your opinion is different and that's cool. But don't call me a nOOb and say I'm completely wrong for stating mine.

Matthias99, I should have been more specific. I don't doubt that sapphire makes cards for ATI, what I do doubt is that the sapphire branded cards are of the same quality. Seems more people have trouble with these cards than the ATI ones. And as you stated, there is a warranty difference. To me, it's worth the few extra $$$.

I'm sure more Shapphires are sold so more problems for them. They are the same quality, the only difference is in the warranty, which is uselless if you OC. I have a Powercolor right now and it's a great quality product.

 

[ForceCalibur]

They are not of the same quality, which is obviously why Sapphire can sell their own cards for cheaper.

Do some research people, the Black PCB Sapphire 9800 PROS have about 5% less performance than a red PCB BBA 9800 Pro.

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: ForceCalibur
They are not of the same quality, which is obviously why Sapphire can sell their own cards for cheaper.

Do some research people, the Black PCB Sapphire 9800 PROS have about 5% less performance than a red PCB BBA 9800 Pro.

That's a cut down model (using 9700 PCB I believe) so that's not an apples to apples comparison

 

[ForceCalibur]

True, but it costs the same. And some people bought them, just informing people.