Is ATI 8500 any good? Stable, fast, with no artefacts?

[Bengt4]

I am wondering... is the ATI 8500 a good choice over de GF3 Ti200? I can get them both for the same price here in Brazil... I just wanted to know if their drivers are any good, no performance problems, no artefacts in games, no stability problems...

And if they have any performance/stability difference when this card is installed on Windows 98 or Win2k/XP?

Come on Radeon users, I want help here, I NEED help couse I don't have a vid card right now and I need one fast! The money is already on my hands! =]

Thanks for any help!

 

[Reliant]

From what I have read the 8500 is on par with the Ti500. I own an 8500, but I have never tried a Ti200 or Ti500.
The drivers are getting better for the 8500, which is a plus.
I have never had stabilty problems and I love the image quality.
I am running a dual boot with 98 and XP and I would have to say that gaming in XP is a little slower, but with the
new drivers coming out all the time the performance is always increasing.
On a bad note, I have heard of horror stories about the 8500 freezing and causing lock-ups, but that has not happened to me.
If I were you I might head over to Rage3d and read some of their forums if you are seriously thinking of the 8500, you might get
a better idea of the problems you might face.
But I am not saying you will have any problems at all, just informing you.
Hope my input helps...

 

[HouRman]

I've installed and tried out 3 different Radeon 8500s from the retail, to LELE and oem. They all work great given the current drivers.

In the past, I had problems with max payne and older drivers, and the retail radeon had some TV out problems. The LELE didn't overclock well and the OEM can barely o/c to speeds that match retail.

The card is still pretty good according to the anandtech review, which shows the Radeon 8500 doing pretty well with the current line of games.

Just be sure you know what card you are getting because the different versions of the 8500 (LE, LELE, OEM, or Retail) can confuse people.

 

[jcmkk]

The Radeon 8500 is a very good alternative to the GeForce 3. Performance wise, it is usually on par, or faster than the GeForce 3 line. Stability and no artifacts is really a persoanl issue. As with every graphics card, some people have had problems, and some have had great experiences. I think the majority, though, have had great experiences.

 

[spanky]

<< Is ATI 8500 any good? Stable, fast, with no artefacts? >>




mine is.

 

[JoPalm]

I love my 8500 retail. My friend has a gf3 ti200 and I think mine looks better and performs faster.

 

[gregor7777]

I traded in my Ti450 for a 8500 and haven't looked back.

Speed and features of the 8500 are AMAZING for the price, and the new leaked driver sets which can be had at Rage 3D are the best yet. 0 problems whatsoever.