main difference in radeon 8500 vs 8500LE

[Qblunt]

I can get a radeon 8500 non le with 128 mgs of ram for $99 or go with the LE 128 mg version version on new egg for $87. Is the regular 8500 that much better than the LE and would you go for it for the extra $13? Thanks.

 

[m1ke101]

The regular 8500 is clocked at 275/275, while the Le's vary, some are 230/230 or 250/250. Here's a review of the 250/250 le http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/videocards/article.php/989321
Also, if you're memory comes with 3.3ns ram or even 3.6ns, you have a good chance of being able to flash it to retail speeds. Thats what I've done with my current LE card and I have it running at a cool 300/300 right now

 

[Qblunt]

Originally posted by: m1ke101
The regular 8500 is clocked at 275/275, while the Le's vary, some are 230/230 or 250/250. Here's a review of the 250/250 le <a href="http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/videocards/article.php/989321">http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/videocards/article.php/989321</A>
Also, if you're memory comes with 3.3ns ram or even 3.6ns, you have a good chance of being able to flash it to retail speeds. Thats what I've done with my current LE card and I have it running at a cool 300/300 right now

So is that a yes to go ahead and get the non LE version? I currently have a pci Geforce 2mx 440 with 32 mgs of ram which sucks. I'm in limbo of what card to buy. I do not want to spend no more than a $100 on a card.

 

[Rogozhin]

Hm

If you don't know how to flash a bios and possibly do a volt mod and get some extra cooling then I would go for the 8500 retail. But if you like to tweak then the LE is just fine.

That's what i did too. But I had to volt mod the core and memory after flashing to a retail bios to get it clocked at 300/300, but once there it ran without artifacts for a year before I purchased my 9700.

Rogo

 

[thebestMAX]

MY 8500le 128M came out of the box at 250/250. Running now at an easy 290/290 but really havent had much time to play.

3.6 ns I think.

 

[movinslow]

I'd get the regular. I have one myself.
Stock speed of 275/275
Check if the LE has dvi out, it might not, though the regular should.

So the advantages are the default clock speed and dvi.

 

[tenoc]

So $12 buys a made by ATI with better memory, higher standard clock, no need for mods, no worries about whether it has DVI, dual ramdac or tv-out.

It really is a no-brainer.

 

[HappyNic]

yeah go for the non-le. only get a le is you know what speed it's at,, some le's have really slow ram like the ones made from Crucials 6ns ram at 166mhz.

 

[Chadder007]

Another vote for NON LE. Its the one I have myself.

 

[Johnbear007]

I have to vote LE

I have a built be ATI 128 MB LE with BGA memory and it runs 300/300 no problem without any kind of voltage or cooling mods