X800 XT PE (Built by ATI or Branded?)

[SkyBum]

Having a bit of confusion here, maybe some of you could help relieve my ignorance....

I ordered an X800 XT PE from the ATI store today ($499 + $14 S&H). They say it will ship around Nov. 15 (though I won't hold my breath on that). Suddenly, I find myself having second thoughts.

My question is this:

Can anyone here tell me what are the specific differences between a "built by ATI" card and the same card built by Sapphire/Asus etc? Are they all equal in overclocking ability? Features? Reliability? Drivers? I'm afraid these questions are stressing me out just a bit and I can't seem to find much info regarding concrete differences between the branded and the "built by ATI" cards.

I just want to make sure I buy the "BEST" X800 XT PE that money can buy.

Any opinions?

 

[mauiblue]

If you can get a x800xt PE for $499 (MSRP) plus $14 shipping, that is a kick ass deal. But CDW has it for $459.51 They say that it will ship within 1 to 2 weeks...BULLCRAP:Q. No one has it unless you count the eBay sellers.

 

[imported_kouch]

yeah really, from what I hear, don't believe any vendor that promises it WILL be here at so and so date etc...(not even ATI themselves) when it comes to these xtpe's. They either have it in stock or they don't it is that simple. I wouldn't count on nov 15, although it is a great price.

 

[SkyBum]

Well, since I'm already waiting for an nForce4 board, the wait is no big deal....but what about my question above?

Anyone?

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

Originally posted by: SkyBum
Well, since I'm already waiting for an nForce4 board, the wait is no big deal....but what about my question above?

Anyone?

Did you get the PCI-E version of the XT? I ask because nForce 4 will only be PCI-E.

 

[OinkBoink]

r u sure that its 499$???

 

[SkyBum]

Ah hell....thanks for bringing that to my attention Computer MAn.

I was under the impression that there would be an AGP version of the new NF4 boards. Just canceled my order for the ATI GPU a minute ago. They have no release date for the PCIe X800 XT PE at the moment and are not taking any pre-orders at this time.

Damn! This new system build is hands down the most frustrating PC project I've ever undertaken. I've got a pile of cash here (for a change).....and no damn parts to spend it on! My new case and PSU just laugh at me every time I walk by. I can see it now, I finally get my hands on a shiny new NF4 board and have to wait 6 months for an XTPE PCIe. Back to the drawing board I guess....$&*@#^!

What top end PCIe cards are currently available?

 

[SkyBum]

Originally posted by: nikhilesh
r u sure that its 499$???

Yes. AGP X800 XT PE direct from ATI Store for $499 (if you have a code you can also get 10% off) but the catch there is that you have to take their word that it will actually ship around 11/15. Possible but not entirely likely based on past results.....

Here's a link to that deal at the ATI site, bottom of the page.....

 

[Pete]

I'd say any XTPE you can get your hands on for retail is the best one available. Direct from ATi is a plus b/c they've got a good warranty, and you know ATi isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Why not just buy a nF3U and that XTPE? What's the attraction to the nF4 aside from dual-PEG? (Seriously, I don't follow MBs. And PEG = PCI-Express for Graphics, aka PCIe x16.)

An AGP alternative is this new raft of 450MHz 6800 Ultras. The extra 50MHz puts them very close to the XTPE in clock speeds, and the 6800 tends to be more efficient with shaders in general. They're a tempting card, strictly from a framerate perspective (I don't know about heat/noise/etc.).

If you want a high-end (6800GT/U or X800XT) PEG video card, you're typically looking at a new adopter price premium over comparable AGP cards. Still, search for "X800 XT" on PriceGrabber.com and you'll find a PEG Gigabyte X800XT for around $500. So there're XT options available if you want to buy now, although is the nF4 even available yet?

The XT is slightly slower than the XTPE: 500/500MHz vs. 520/560MHz. The 6800U is typically 400/550MHz, but some new cards are 450/550MHz.

 

[Mrvile]

Seriously, if you're gonna use an ATI card, get an nForce3 because SLI only supports nVidia cards, and aside from SLI the NF4 and the NF3 are pretty much the same.

 

[df96817]

Eh? Does your card absolutely HAVE to be an ATI branded X800XT? There are many other card manufacturers that make X800XTs for PCIe such as Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, and Sapphire. You can check http://www.pricewatch.com for the cheapest one.

 

[Drayvn]

ATI make the cards, then ship them out to the vendors to add their stuff to it.

 

[imported_Salvatore]

Hmm...11/15 and HL2 comes out on 11/16. Coincidence or set-up?

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

I would get an nForce 3 250 chipset and then get the x800. Like others have said since SLI is only for nVidia it takes away the only reason to go PCI-E right now. Go AGP because PCI-E wont really be needed for at least a year

 

[SkyBum]

Good points.....

It's not that I think that NF3 board is such a bad choice, it's just that I know I tend not to upgrade often (Still running Asus A7V-266E/1800+/8500DV) and I wanted to buy a card that could last through another MB upgrade if necessary.

Since I'm also planning to buy FX-55 I guess I just wanted to get the latest MB tech as well.

Well, if I do go NF3, (and since that may be a better option than waiting anyway...) what NF3 board would make a good choice to go with an FX-55 and a High end GPU? Also does NF3 support NCQ or just NF4?