PowerColor - good or bad

azntiger0586

Senior member
Jul 10, 2003
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I have heard that PowerColor is not reccomended when buying an ati card from them. I mean i am still new to the computer world. but i was planning to get a 9700 pro, and powercolor seems to produce them in cheap $$ compare to others. is there something wrong with this company? why don't people like them? i really just want to know why it is it not reccomended to buy a card from powercolor. many thanks
 

Peter

Elite Member
Oct 15, 1999
9,640
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I can't see what should be wrong with PowerColor's cards. As any other ATi partner, they manufacture a whole lot of subtly different cards using the same chip (the 9700 in your case). So all you need to do is REALLY inform yourself what you're being sold - else you might end up with a lower performance OEM part rather than the full performance one you expected.
PowerColor are very precise about what's what on their web site. Make an informed decision to buy what you actually want, then you'll be happy.
 

modedepe

Diamond Member
May 11, 2003
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I've never used a powercolor, but I've heard they aren't as good as sapphire or an ati built card. I think they use slower ram and their warranty isn't as good, I'm not sure about that though so don't quote me.
 

clicknext

Banned
Mar 27, 2002
3,884
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My friend has a Powercolor 8500LE and it's just fine.

EDIT: 3.6ns ram I believe he got on his.
 

BFG10K

Lifer
Aug 14, 2000
22,709
3,003
126
PowerColor, like every other ATi partner, follows the reference design quite closely.

I have a 9700 Pro and it's absolutely perfect. It even has an ATi logo on the fan.
 

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
27,153
6
81
Originally posted by: BFG10K
PowerColor, like every other ATi partner, follows the reference design quite closely.

I have a 9700 Pro and it's absolutely perfect. It even has an ATi logo on the fan.

 

43st

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2001
3,197
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I just got a Powercolor 9800 Pro and it has 2.86 ns Ram. It's only been in my PC for a little over a day so I can't comment on it's quality, other than it works great. :)
 

Brian48

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
3,410
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I've got a PowerColor 9700np OEM in my backup. I've got no complaints about it. Construction of the PCB and quality of the parts is actually a bit more polished than my retail 9700 Pro when doing a side by side comparison. Overclocks to Pro level speeds as well. I'd recommend them to anyone.
 

azntiger0586

Senior member
Jul 10, 2003
343
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so powercolor is a good buy then from i am seeing from you guys. so why is sapphire more reccomended then powercolor? is there a reason? maybe it looks better?
 

ICMAN

Member
May 26, 2003
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Originally posted by: azntiger0586
so powercolor is a good buy then from i am seeing from you guys. so why is sapphire more reccomended then powercolor? is there a reason? maybe it looks better?

Maybe because it is more expensive? Or the name isn't as cool? I donno.