Sapphire vs. BBA for 9800 PRo card?

[mmganga]

Hi, can somebody let me know the difference between the two cards? I have found a place online which sells the Sapphire version pretty cheap!!!

THANKS!!!

 

[BlueWeasel]

Not sure about the latest batch of cards, but I thought the Sapphire cards were generally much better overclockers compared to the BBA cards because of the type of RAM chips.

I had a BBA 9800NP that wouldn't even hit Pro speeds because of the crappy Infineon RAM chips. I picked up a Sapphire 9800NP off the FS/FT forum that had been flashed to a Pro, and it runs great for me at XT speeds.

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: mmganga
Hi, can somebody let me know the difference between the two cards? I have found a place online which sells the Sapphire version pretty cheap!!!

THANKS!!!

How much is this place asking?

 

[Matthias99]

Not sure about the latest batch of cards, but I thought the Sapphire cards were generally much better overclockers compared to the BBA cards because of the type of RAM chips

I *think* that the ATI 9800Pro cards use Samsung or Hynix RAM.

But barring any overclocking differences between them (which varies pretty widely from card to card anyway), they will perform identically. It used to be that Sapphire offered a 1-year warranty and ATI had a 3-year (not that this matters if you're overclocking).

 

[tungtung]

Be careful of Sapphire's cards ... some places are selling the 128-bit 9800 Pro (which Sapphire has already stated not to be called 9800 Pro after they got sued) and still labeling them as 9800 Pro ... the price difference I think should only amount to around 20% ... if more then I would be very suspicious ... also look at the box ... according to the Sapphire website the 256-bit 9800 Pro is packaged in a box with a green coloured artwork while the 128-bit variant is packaged in a blue coloured artwork

 

[mmganga]

The place is asking $120 with free shipping BUT it's a REFURBISHED card!!!

I would publish the name of the place but am not sure it's allowed. It's a very well known (if not one of the best known) online retailers for such stuff!!!

I would NOT mind the refurbished issue, and they do claim it's the 256-bit, 128 MB RAM version!!!

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: mmganga
The place is asking $120 with free shipping BUT it's a REFURBISHED card!!!

I would publish the name of the place but am not sure it's allowed. It's a very well known (if not one of the best known) online retailers for such stuff!!!

I would NOT mind the refurbished issue, and they do claim it's the 256-bit, 128 MB RAM version!!!

Linking to places that are selling items is allowed (linking to items *you're* selling isn't). I couldn't find a card matching your description at Newegg, but they have brand-new Sapphire 9800Pro AGP cards for $158 (128MB, 256-bit memory), so $120 is not out of the question for a 256-bit 9800Pro refurb.

Edit: Actually, I dug around in the "refurb" specific section on Newegg, and found this, which appears to be a refurbished 128MB, 256-bit Sapphire 9800Pro OEM card for $120.

 

[Fern]

Just my .02.

I got a BBA 9800p, it came with Samsung ram, and possibly an r360 core (haven't removed HS to determine). It does XT speeds and better no prob.

I think OCing potential is luck of the draw, so otherwise the diff is only in the warranty.

Fern

 

[mmganga]

yes it was the one at Newegg, I was wondering if I should get that

THANKS!