Sapphire X1300 vs EVGA 8600GTS For HD

[Belles Toaster]

A buddy of mine has offered me an X1300 Sapphire card 256mb dual out with HDTV output for $20. His friend has an EVGA 8600GTS SC 256mb for $80. Would the Sappire be better because ATI's reputation for better rendering or is the EVGA a better refresh . Since both cards could see casual gaming (Tomraider stuff ie the Kids) they would soon be retired to HTPC duty. I think the EVGA is HDCP enabled while the Sapphire may not be. The television that they would be attached to would a 34 inch 1080i 16X9 of 2 years ago and may not be 100% HDCP .

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

The 8600GTS has the newer PureVideo HD, which is a*sloads better than the X1300's AVIVO.

However, I would recommend neither. Grab the HD3450 from newEgg ($49.99+ship) instead. ATi's newest UVD supports more formats than the vid processor on the 8600.

If you can, the new 8400GS _may_ be better but we'll just have to wait and see

 

[Belles Toaster]

Thanks , I look into it.