One more "video card buying advice" request

[JKuz]

Hey all well my msi gf2 pro 64mb died, well I killed it, anyway need some advice on a new card.
Considering the ati 8500le $166 or gainward gf3 ti 200 $154.
I like to play games, in addition I like watching downloaded music videos fullscreen, and using the tv out as well.
One thing I noticed from my gf2 pro was using tv out there was always interference on my tv, don't know if this prob.
has been fixed with the gf3's. So basically fps in games is important but isn't #1 priority, visual quality is more important to me both
on my monitor and tv.

Thanks

 

[Alex]

the only ati card worth it in my opinion is pure 8500 or any AIW one if ya need that kinda stuff

if not go for GF3Ti series

 

[moocat]

Looks to me like you would be better served by a 8500 card. Does the LE come with the DVI cable? If not, you would be better off going with a OEM 8500 with the 250/250mhz clocks. I believe the LEs are 230/230.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Looks to me like you would be better served by a 8500 card. Does the LE come with the DVI cable? If not, you would be better off going with a OEM 8500 with the 250/250mhz clocks. I believe the LEs are 230/230. >>

I definitely have to agree with your selection of the OEM. It can easily be brought up to retail levels, anyhow. The only problem is the [supposedly] OEM 8500s have 5.5ns DDR SGRAM as opposed to the 3.8ns or 4ns DDR SGRAM in the full retail version.

 

[gregor7777]

I definitely have to agree with your selection of the OEM. It can easily be brought up to retail levels, anyhow. The only problem is the [supposedly] OEM 8500s have 5.5ns DDR SGRAM as opposed to the 3.8ns or 4ns DDR SGRAM in the full retail version.



If that's true (I haven't seen one yet) then I'd say that's a pretty big problem. It's not just clocked slower, it IS slower. Why pay for an inferior product. Just go for the genuine ATi.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< I definitely have to agree with your selection of the OEM. It can easily be brought up to retail levels, anyhow. The only problem is the [supposedly] OEM 8500s have 5.5ns DDR SGRAM as opposed to the 3.8ns or 4ns DDR SGRAM in the full retail version.



If that's true (I haven't seen one yet) then I'd say that's a pretty big problem. It's not just clocked slower, it IS slower. Why pay for an inferior product. Just go for the genuine ATi. >>

It's just a rumor, I believe. It still merits enough concern to warrant an investigation, though. I believe the actual case is that the retail has 3.8ns DDR SGRAM, whereas the OEM has 4ns DDR SGRAM, which is relatively trivial.

 

[moocat]

My oem has 4 ns ram, 250/250mhz, and dvi connector but no cable. I'm assuming ALL versions of the 8500 have the dvi connector but I'm not certain.

There are no 8500 versions that come with 5.5ns ram. That would not even meet minimum specifications for the 230mhz mem clock. AFAIK they come with 3.6 or 4ns ram.