What the heck is a ATI Radeon "LE"?

[rbownes]

I want to buy a Radeon DDR. Here are some choices and prices (Canadian Dollars):
ATI RADEON LE AGP4X DDR 32MB W/O TV OUTPUT (OEM) $190.00
ATI RADEON AGP4X SDR 32MB W/O TV OUTPUT (OEM) $235.00
ATI RADEON AGP4X SDR 32MB W/ TV OUTPUT (OEM) $260.00
ATI RADEON AGP4X DDR 32MB W/O TV OUTPUT (OEM) $265.00
ATI RADEON AGP4X DDR 32MB W/O TV OUTPUT (RETAIL) $335.00
ATI RADEON AGP4X DDR 64MB W/O TV OUTPUT (OEM) $430.00
ATI RADEON AGP4X VIVO DDR 64MB W/TV OUTPUT (OEM) $445.00
ATI RADEON AGP4X VIVO DDR 64MB W/TV OUTPUT (RETAIL) $535.00

That "LE" is almost $100 cheaper than a ddr 32mb. What is the LE? What is the difference?

 

[Kingofcomputer]

ati web site has info about them

 

[Taz4158]

Revised after research has been done.

 

[SiliconVandal]

He's right, you don't want an LE. If you got the cash I would get the 64MB without TV Out, unless you want TV Out..

SV

 

[Plane]

LE doesn't support Hyber-Z. If you don't run 1024 x 768 x 32 or above, you may not notice
the performance different...

 

[Hawk]

Yeah, it's like the MX, crippled, but those prices aren't street prices, you can find the 32 MB DDR for around 110 now, especially on the for sale forum and the hot deals forum (saw a thread, 98 bucks for one).

 

[hans007]

the other thread said that the LE is just a regular radeon DDR with 148mhz and hyper Z disabled in direct 3d. I've got one that didnt say LE on it anywhere, but is clocked at 148mhz. It is detected as radeon ddr by win2k

 

[oldfart]

There is a thread in this forum with a TON of info on this subject HERE.

Summary:

32 meg 6ns DDR
clocked at 148/148, but can easily go well above that (180+)
larger, but passive HS
HyperZ disabled in D3D only, but can be easily enabled via registry
Very Cheap ($92)

When above changes are made, runs just as well as a "normal" 32 DDR.