What's the best price/performance Radeon 8500?

[Fun Guy]

New to the 3D scene. I like my 2D quality (actually I need my 2D quality) but want to try 3D and thought ATI would be good. Need DVD also and I remember the ATI DVD player being really good. TV OUT would be a plus as well.

Don't want to spend a lot, but want the best price to performance ratio. I see 64MB cards, 128MB cards, Retail, OEM, etc etc... It's confusing.

Any suggestions?

 

[bjc112]

can't go wrong with the $99 Radeon LE...

Sweeeet card for the price...

 

[John]

Originally posted by: bjc112
can't go wrong with the $99 Radeon LE...

Sweeeet card for the price...

I assume you are referring to the 64MB LE, and yes I do agree.

 

[Lance22]

I agree as well... Newegg.com is selling one that has ddr 64 meg 3.3ns ram, tv out and all the good stuff for $98 bucks. Get em while they're hot! =]

 

[Fun Guy]

What's the difference between the $98 version (8500LE 64M250) and the $99 version (8500 LE)? The pictures look the same, but the descriptive text is different.

For one it looks like the DVI->VGA is disabled. The clock speed on only one of them is posted - what about the other one?

Also, is there a noticeable difference between 64MB and 128MB of DDR?

 

[Lance22]

Originally posted by: Fun Guy
What's the difference between the $98 version (8500LE 64M250) and the $99 version (8500 LE)? The pictures look the same, but the descriptive text is different.

For one it looks like the DVI->VGA is disabled. The clock speed on only one of them is posted - what about the other one?

Also, is there a noticeable difference between 64MB and 128MB of DDR?

Well, the difference is that, the $98 one has faster ram, and can clock higher. The $99 one on the other hand you can't clock as high, it doesn't come clocked as high to begin with, but it supports dual display.

The difference between 64megs and 128 megs is mainly that you have more memory to work with.. so for instance if u wanted to run some crazy 1600x1200 res for a game, u could do it with both but it would be faster with 128megs, but at a res of 800x600, the performance is near identical.

I purchased the 64meg card that can clock higher, because im only using 1 monitor and i want speed, i could have gotten a 128 meg card, but I usually run at 1024x768 anyways, and i couldn't pass up the deal. By getting the card, im basicly assured 3.3ns ram, so i can oc that bad boy =]

 

[RedShirt]

I agree with everything said here.

BOOOOOOOOM! Did you hear that? That's the sound of RedShirt's seal of approval!

 

[Fun Guy]

Originally posted by: Lance22

Originally posted by: Fun Guy
What's the difference between the $98 version (8500LE 64M250) and the $99 version (8500 LE)? The pictures look the same, but the descriptive text is different.

For one it looks like the DVI->VGA is disabled. The clock speed on only one of them is posted - what about the other one?

Also, is there a noticeable difference between 64MB and 128MB of DDR?

Well, the difference is that, the $98 one has faster ram, and can clock higher. The $99 one on the other hand you can't clock as high, it doesn't come clocked as high to begin with, but it supports dual display.

The difference between 64megs and 128 megs is mainly that you have more memory to work with.. so for instance if u wanted to run some crazy 1600x1200 res for a game, u could do it with both but it would be faster with 128megs, but at a res of 800x600, the performance is near identical.

I purchased the 64meg card that can clock higher, because im only using 1 monitor and i want speed, i could have gotten a 128 meg card, but I usually run at 1024x768 anyways, and i couldn't pass up the deal. By getting the card, im basicly assured 3.3ns ram, so i can oc that bad boy =]

I'm a little confused about the display outputs on the $98 card... it says that it has dual monitor support.

Does the VGA connector not work on this card? Or does the DVI-I connector not work? The description says that the DVI->VGA adapter does not work, but it says dual monitors are supported. What exactly does and does not work on this card???

I am a little leery about the DVI output if the DVI->VGA connector doesn't work - is something wrong with the connector? I will be using a digital flat panel and will have occasion to use the S-Video Out as well. Do both of these connectors work properly?

 

[RedShirt]

Basically, with that card you would do:

CRT - TV at the same time
CRT - DVI at the same time
DVI - TV.... I do not know... maybe you could do this,
It's just CRT and CRT you can't do. A normal 8500 can do CRT - CRT with an adaptor, but this card is missing its second DAC to keep costs down... So your DVI connector will work fine.

Someone else correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is how it is.

 

[gregor7777]

Originally posted by: RedShirt
Basically, with that card you would do:

CRT - TV at the same time
CRT - DVI at the same time
DVI - TV.... I do not know... maybe you could do this,
It's just CRT and CRT you can't do. A normal 8500 can do CRT - CRT with an adaptor, but this card is missing its second DAC to keep costs down... So your DVI connector will work fine.

Someone else correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is how it is.

A fine explanation and I believe the correct one. It is a tad complicated with all the options out there to choose from. The only advice I can add is that to be completely sure WYSIWYG, buying retail ATi products is the way to go.

Although on second thought, $98 is nothing to balk at.