which to buy?

[azntiger0586]

i just read the variety of reviews on ati and nvidia cards. I am planning to buy a new card, i recently bought a pny gefortcefx 256mb 5600 with my very little knowledge on video cards, base on my opinion, my 8x ti4200 titanium seems to be better. I am gonna return my card and planning to get an ATI with their successfulness base on the Anandtech reviews. I am willing to spend 200 and is very interested in a radeon. so far i have learned from the review that 9500 pro is better then 9600 pro. But what about 9500 pro and 9700 pro? is 9500 pro still better? and one more question, i have seen some radeon cards that contain the name "Atlantis" and "Sapphire", what im basically asking is which is more preferred "POWERED BY ATI" or "BUILT BY ATI". sorry if i ask too much, im still new to the computer world, so fill me with knowledge!

Soyo Dragon Platinum
896 DDR RAM 2100
1.8 Ghz P4

 

[Malladine]

9700 pro is significantly better than the 9500 pro, especially with high AA settings etc.

Many prefer built by ati cards, but IMO the difference is negligible.

 

[Corporate Thug]

as long as it is not powercolor, it is fine. i too recommend 9700 pro (built by ATi or Sapphire)

 

[azntiger0586]

what about 9500 pro and a 9700 (non pro)?

 

[Corporate Thug]

9700 NP is still better

 

[jeffrey]

For your $200 bucks, the 9700np would deliver the biggest performance increase.

 

[Sammy5000]

I would say go with the 9700 Pro (extra $60 or so), but you can o'c a 9700np to a pro, no sweat.

 

[azntiger0586]

so i guess ill go with radeon 9700 np base on u guys opinions and my 200$, thanks alot guys. one mroe question, any place of reccomendation on where to buy from? im looking at pricewatch.com but im havihng trouble finding which one is built by ati and which ones are not, care to help? many thanks

 

[Sammy5000]

Newegg or Googlegear.

Those are the ones I trust the most. Although, mwave has had some decent deals.