Sapphire Radeons compared to ATI Radeons...

McRhea

Senior member
Apr 2, 2001
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Is Sapphire really that awful? If i get a Sapphire Radeon X1800XT, and it breaks, am I screwed? Whats the difference between a Sapphire Radeon and the ATI Radeon? Does Sapphire use shittier components to build the board or something? Should I be concerned that my Sapphire Radeon isn't going to last as long as an ATI Radeon?
 

PseudoKnight

Senior member
Oct 18, 2004
303
0
71
I'd like to know as well. I have a feeling that the consensus concerning Sapphire has more to do with the their low-cost and vanilla boards than actual performance or durability.
 

Maximilian

Lifer
Feb 8, 2004
12,603
9
81
Sapphires awful? Thats news to me, an X1800XT is an X1800XT, theres slight differences between the different manufacturers but nothing drastic. My experiances with sapphire have been good, none of their cards have crapped out on me.
 

Ika

Lifer
Mar 22, 2006
14,267
3
81
Sapphire is a good manufacturer; really the only difference is the bundle deal. Sapphire is a top-tier manufacturer and is closely tied with ATI. there is very little difference, if any, between the two manufacturers.
 

McRhea

Senior member
Apr 2, 2001
221
0
0
Thanks Guoziming, that answers my question.

And this is in Software because some dude from the General Hardware forum said that this forum would be a better place to ask my question since "lots of gamers frequent that forum."

*shrug*
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,277
10,783
136
Unless you need to do an RMA theres very little difference at all, in fact based on reviews the Sapphire cards tend to overclock a bit higher then average, however if you do need warranty service from what I've read its more of a hassle to deal with Sapphire then ATI itself.
If the warranty is your main concern, you should go with Powercolor since AKAIK they are the only maker of ATI cards that offers lifetime coverage... I went with HIS myself because IME if the card lasts a month it will last as long as I want to use it & it was the cheapest XTX I could find @ $449 AR.
 

Alaa

Senior member
Apr 26, 2005
839
8
81
Originally posted by: Captante
Unless you need to do an RMA theres very little difference at all, in fact based on reviews the Sapphire cards tend to overclock a bit higher then average, however if you do need warranty service from what I've read its more of a hassle to deal with Sapphire then ATI itself.
If the warranty is your main concern, you should go with Powercolor since AKAIK they are the only maker of ATI cards that offers lifetime coverage... I went with HIS myself because IME if the card lasts a month it will last as long as I want to use it & it was the cheapest XTX I could find @ $449 AR.

IME,AKAIK!! dictionary plz!
 

AzNPinkTuv

Senior member
Nov 29, 2005
659
0
76
sapphire = evga of ati...

i dont believe you can say ****** and sapphire in the same sentense.. even the name sapphire is pretty pristine
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,277
10,783
136
Originally posted by: Alaa
Originally posted by: Captante
Unless you need to do an RMA theres very little difference at all, in fact based on reviews the Sapphire cards tend to overclock a bit higher then average, however if you do need warranty service from what I've read its more of a hassle to deal with Sapphire then ATI itself.
If the warranty is your main concern, you should go with Powercolor since AKAIK they are the only maker of ATI cards that offers lifetime coverage... I went with HIS myself because IME if the card lasts a month it will last as long as I want to use it & it was the cheapest XTX I could find @ $449 AR.

IME,AKAIK!! dictionary plz!

Try urbandictionary.com & FYI (I assume you know that one! : ) IME = in my experience
& AFAIK = as far as I know
 

jiffylube1024

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
7,430
0
71
Sapphire is actually a very good manufacturer; they even make ATI's first party cards for them. Quality with Sapphire is excellent.