how to tell if a Radeon 32MB DDR is LE or not?

[laugh]

I want to buy a Radeon video card (OEM, used) from someone, but I don't know if it's LE. I prefer regular Radeon DDR (like the retail version). The seller says that card has a stock fan on it, which is like the retail version. I think LE only has passive heatsink, but I am not sure. Does the fan only appear on regular Radeon? Is there any other way to differentiate Radeon from Radeon LE? Thanks!

 

[Kingofcomputer]

LE looks to have fewer components, smaller PCB, no fan, no ATI logo.
You can see the picture from newegg.

 

[Hawk]

I think www.reactorcritical.com had detailed pictures of the differences a few months back.

LEs didn't have fans, so unless he glued it on, it probably isn't a LE. But only easy way might be to plug it in and check the speeds, though usually you can flash it back to a regular 32 MB anyway it doesn't matter that much.

 

[Killrose]

Do the LE's have DVD decoder chips? (does Ati use a special one even?).

Actually Anandtech did an article on the Radeon LE telling the whole story, but they placed a 64mb next to the LE instead of the Retail DDR, so who knows?

 

[AntaresVI]

yes, it has full DVD functionality. See this thread for more info: Link

 

[EvilKnevil]

hi there!

could you guys help me identify which Radeon variety this card is:

Jetway Fantasy Radeon

am pondering on getting this, a GTS, or a Kyro2..

2d quality is more important to me than 3d game framerates

you can check out my Rig in my Sig

thanks!

 

[Killrose]

EvilKnevel, that looks to be the real DDR with all the bells and whistles. Has T&L and Z-buffer, and they show a picture of an Ati board with all the labels, so it appears to be a product manufactured by Ati and distributed by Jetway.

How much do these cost?

 

[Kingofcomputer]

just make sure you get the Radeon "whatever" with 128Mbit DDR, not 64Mbit DDR (on VE variants) or 128Mbit SDR (on SDR variants).

 

[EvilKnevil]

Hi Killrose and KingofC!

Thanks for the replies- over here (the Philippines) i can get one for around $90-95.00. I will check with the shop if this is the actuial product that they carry (this was linked from their site though..so it has to be the one).

KingofC how could I tell if ith as 128Mbit DDR? Any distinguishing marks on the card, etc?

Thanks again!

 

[GT578]

Having no fan is the most obvious way to tell if its an LE or not. Mine has a sticker on the back also that says Radeon LE. I remember Newegg I think had some regular 32MB DDR Radeons that were clocked lower than 166mhz....i think something like 150mhz or something.......but those had hyper-z enabled by default. Go to www.xbitlabs.com
They have a review of the LE and regular DDR with detailed pictures so you can see the differences.

 

[McCarthy]

With a "real" one there are the letters ATI in the Radeon Logo.
With the LE the logo is a solid white oval.

Otherwise the fan is probably the better way to tell.

 

[dajo]

this can tell you

 

[EvilKnevil]

cool

went to the shop! checked out the card....and found an online review for it to!

Digit-Life review

so..you guys think its worth it? goes for around $100 equivalent...

 

[Killrose]

$100 for a new Radeon DDR (not LE) is getting steep now days unless it is a 64mb version. My Radeon with my set-up is still actually plenty fast for most all games at 1024x768 32bit. My 3dmark2001 score with card at 183MHz is 3420, with it at 190MHz which is it's visual limit with no artifacts my score is 3540.

I would almost recommend getting a Retail DDR from the For Sale/Trade forum. They can be found for around $65-$70 shipped.
But if its a 64mb version for $100, its a good deal, but the 7500 Radeons are dropping in price and are nearly 1/2 again faster.

 

[EvilKnevil]

thanks for the info KillRose...

yep its a 64MB version- I can get a GTS 32MB or a Kyro2 64MB for around US$75...as I do stuff in Photoshop and the occasional webpage, I feel that 2D quality is important.

as for games I usually play FIFA, Formula 1, stuff like that.

I think I can hold out till Christmas..hopefully the prices will adjust (favorably ehhe) by then

cheers!