How to verify built by ATI?

[Gunnar]

I was just wondering, if I ordered an OEM board, how can I verify that it was built by ATI?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Good question!

Can you also add a question for me?

How do I know if the "used" 8500 is indeed NOT the LE model? ( judging it is so easy to do the BIOS flash on any LE card to 275/275 spec )

 

[Insane3D]

IIRC, all "Built by ATI" cards will have the ATI logo silkscreened on the PCB in white.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Insane3D;

How about my question?

 

[Insane3D]

Sorry about that...I missed it.

The card you have, what style of memory chips does it have...tiny BGA or the standard packaging? Also, what ns rating are they? The retail 128mb "Built by ATI" piece should have tiny BGA chips on it that are rated @ 3.3ns. That should tell you..

 

[Gunnar]

That sounds good. Actually, I had my seller check to see if he had the ATI part number on the board (100-431036, its a 8500LE 128MB). Hopefully thats okay, or do Sapphire board carry the same part numbers? Ill have him check the PCB too, thanks!

 

[TimeKeeper]

Sorry Gunnar using your tread. (save Anandtech's resource)

Insane3D;

But...but.........hmm.........I was checking on Newegg's pic. (disregard either build or power by ATI).
The regular 8500 has same retangular RAM chip.
And my current 8500LE also has retangular RAM w/ 3.3ns RAM. I also BIOS Flash to 275/275 spec.

(assuming somone buying a used 8500, but how can he tell if he indeed getting a 8500 NOT 8500LE?)

* Is there a way to tell, especially for "newbies", to ensure they will NOT be cheated on? *

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper
Sorry Gunnar using your tread. (save Anandtech's resource)

Insane3D;

But...but.........hmm.........I was checking on Newegg's pic. (disregard either build or power by ATI).
The regular 8500 has same retangular RAM chip.
And my current 8500LE also has retangular RAM w/ 3.3ns RAM. I also BIOS Flash to 275/275 spec.

(assuming somone buying a used 8500, but how can he tell if he indeed getting a 8500 NOT 8500LE?)

* Is there a way to tell, especially for "newbies", to ensure they will NOT be cheated on? *

IIRC, the LE should not have the 3.3ns RAM. It's like 3.8 or something..

 

[TimeKeeper]

Insane3D;

hmm.....but the marking on my ram is Hynix memory 3.3ns.... (and I know my card is LE model, because I bought it from newegg)

 

[spanky]

i bet u could also look up the FCC ID and find out.

 

[woodie1]

My Built by ATI Radeon 8500LE-128 has four BGA Infineon 3.6ns DDR SDRAM chips. I bought it new in a retail box.

 

[rbV5]

"Built By"

 

[Rand]

FWIW ATi's R8500LE are available with 3.3, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.8ns DDR SDRAM. They seem a touch inconsistent.

From what I've seen 3.5-3.6ns DDR seems the most common however.

 

[bluemax]

I was all set to add this question to the Sapphire interview, but it's right on ATI's site.
I might include it anyways.

 

[MonkeyK]

From ATI's FAQ:

Q16: What are the differences between a RADEON? 8500 (128MB DDR) and a RADEON? 8500LE (128MB DDR)?
A16: The main differences between the RADEON? 8500 (128MB DDR) and the RADEON? 8500LE (128MB DDR) are following:
RADEON? 8500LE : VGA and video output Suggested Retail Price - $199.00 U.S.D.
RADEON? 8500: VGA, DVI-I and video output Suggested Retail Price - $299.00 U.S.D.



-Mike

 

[clicknext]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
IIRC, all "Built by ATI" cards will have the ATI logo silkscreened on the PCB in white.

Mine's built by sapphire, yet says "Built by ATI" on it.

 

[JackBurton]

OH YA! I just got my 8500LE 64MB card and it has 3.3ns memory! I can see a BIOS flash my future! Hey, you can't beat $88 for a Radeon 8500LE that runs at retail speeds! I'm excited!