Sapphire 9800 pro...2 versions...

[Maskirovka]

newegg has 2 different 9800 pro's made by sapphire

one is $306 and the other is $352

the cheaper one has a blue/black pcb and a different layout.
the other difference i noticed is the auxiliary power connector is the floppy-sized one instead of the larger hard drive one.

don't floppies run on less than 12v? does that matter?
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i posted first on the halflife2.net hardware forums to try and get quick answer (i was already registered) but one of the moderators told me that there would be no performance difference whatsoever.

well why's the one cheaper then and what corners did they cut to make it that way? what difference does the power connector make?

 

[Maskirovka]

here's a link to newegg's page...the cards are the 2nd and 3rd ones listed

link

$306 one

$352 one

i mean...the more expensive one looks like it uses the ATI reference board, but the cheaper one is a different design...

 

[modedepe]

From the pictures, the $352 one looks like a "built by ati" card, which generally cost more. Don't worry about the power connector, it won't matter. And basically they should perform the same. The only difference there could be would come with overclocking. I'm not sure how the performance of the two hsf's compare.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What happened to the 9800NP? I notice newegg doesn't have them anymore. They only list the 9800SE and the 9800Pro.

 

[MDE]

The cheaper one is a 9800SE, which is basically a high clocked 9600 Pro. It definately isn't worth the money IMO.

 

[KMHPaladin]

There's no way they're selling a 9800SE for $300.

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: MonkeyDriveExpress
The cheaper one is a 9800SE, which is basically a high clocked 9600 Pro. It definately isn't worth the money IMO.

No, look at his link. The cheap one is definitley not a 9800 se.

 

[MDE]

I see it now... the super cheap one is the SE. I'm stumped. The cheaper one might somehow be overclocking limited. Makes sense with the XT coming out, ATI not wanting sales of those to be cannibalized by overclocking.

 

[Lonyo]

One would appear to be OEM, while the other may be retail (would be useful to have links to the products not just the pics).

It would be a rtial Made by ATi and an OEM Sapphire card, hence the different colour PCB's and the different bundle in terms of software and cables.

 

[ginfest]

Almost seems as if the picture for the $306.00 one is wrong, the power connector is the older 9700 style-not sure if any of the 9800 had that type?
Might be worth a call to Newegg customer service b/4 you order.

Mike G

 

[Maskirovka]

i did put a link to the products...."link" in the 2nd post.

i emailed newegg...and i'll defenitely find out for sure before i order...i'll post back when i get any word just in case anyone's still planning on buying a 9800 pro like me

EDIT: just got the email back from newegg...never checked email until i posted just now

they said:
The ATI OEM SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DVI/TV 8X AGP BULK was manufactured by ATI and the other card was manufactured by Sapphire, ATI cards usually cost more since they are main brand name cards. Have a nice day.

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i failed to point out the power connector in my email though...i'm gonna call and find out tomorrow.