My friend and I bought the same 8500LE and...

[Gouv]

received different cards.

I acquired an 8500 LE, and it's supposed to be the retail version. It came in the "built by ATI" 8500LE box, has the ATI driver CD, instructions, ect. I built my friend a new computer and we ordered the same 8500LE from the same vendor.

The weird thing is that his card has 4ns memory, no DVI connector, and the sticker on the card said 8500LE 230/230. That's what I expected on my card, but I have 3.3ns memory, a DVI connector, and the sticker says 8500 DDR64M.

Both of our cards have ATI part numbers and BIOSes which check out as "Built by ATI" products on ATI's website. Both cards look distictively "Built by ATI." They have the ATI silk screen on the PCB and are made in Canada. Neither says "Powered by ATI" anywhere. After some digging I found out that the non-LE built by ATI 8500 has the DVI connector just like my card. Some powered by ATI LE's also have a DVI connector.

So did ATI accidently put an 8500 in my box or do you think the vendor stuck a powered by ATI card in the built by ATI box (this is what I feared but after checking everything out I really doubt the later is the case)?

 

[Gouv]

Oh yeah I tried some utility (powerstrip I think?) and I think it said my card was clocked at 250/275. Anyone know of another utility that would tell me about the card's core/mem clock?

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

You got the right card. Your friend didn't.

 

[Killrose]

Complain to the vendor about it. They may have a bunch of stock with various cards in them. And ask if you can get the same kind you have. But don't return it to them whatever you do. You're card should do 300/300 no-problem. Your freinds card however will probably only do 275-300core/250-275mem if he's lucky .

 

[Gouv]

Yeah this is really strange. I thought all built by ATI 8500LE parts were consistantly clocked at 250/250 and don't have a DVI connector. Mabye Googlegear is sketchy. They have good prices and ship quickly, but have a poor rating with the BBB and have a 4 rating for service/returns on reseller ratings. I'll have to check the clock speed of his card with a utility. At least we're both happy with the card.

 

[Gouv]

I confirmed mine runs at a default of 250/275 with a tweaking utility, but I'll have to check his later. I guess it's great for me because I got a "super LE" with a DVI connector.

The thing is he has no recourse with the vendor becuase everything points to him getting the retail version, just as he ordered. I think we will still complain to someone if his card doesn't default to at least 250/250 becuase all retail 8500 LE's should be clocked that way, right?

 

[CraigRT]

I got an 8500LE with the lesser clock speeds... but it was ultra cheap.. although it was retail....

meh

 

[sandorski]

Guys:The Radeon 8500LE *does not* run at 250/250. It runs at various speeds, such as: 250/250, 230/230, 250/225, 250/200. ATI has never defined the speed of the 8500LE, so when you get one, you take your chances.

 

[Brian48]

All this means is that you received an older 8500LE and your friend got one of recent make. All the current retail 8500LE are coming in at 230/230. The 3rd party vendors are also quickly following suit.

 

[Gouv]

Yeah looks like all retail 8500LE's are now 230/230. Even though companies cover themselves by saying "everything is subject to change at any time," it's still shady marketing. The retail version had been clocked 250/250 forever, and all the reviewers were sent 250/250 boards. I'd expect this variation in the OEM cards, but it's sketchy to have this substantial of a difference in two retail cards purchased only a few weeks apart.

Oh well it's no big deal, still hard to top the price/performance of either card right now.

 

[alm4rr]

my Le was bought in june from BB in ATI box and comes in at 250/250
*shrug*

 

[SickBeast]

I had the EXACT same thing happen to me, only it was at a local retailer. They didn't even tell me it was an LE!! They sold it to me as a "Radeon 8500 OEM"...it came clocked at 230/230!

Needless to say I took it back and they made me pay an extra $30 to get a full retail 8500. Doesn't seem fair, but I guess when you buy from a small vendor you're taking your chances.

The problem with sending the card back is that you have to pay shipping, then wait like a month...and in the meantime you have no videocard...now isn't that great?