3rd Party ATI boards....help please

LioCraft · Jan 22, 2003, 08:08 AM

Hi there,
I was planning to buy an ATI Radeon 7500, but all I can find right now are a PowerColor Board, and a Shapphire board....how are those cards?, which one is the best?, are they worst that an BILD BY ATI?....what about the drivers?, can you use de drivers from ATI.COM?

Thx in advance.

digitalwanderer · Jan 22, 2003, 09:32 AM

Generally the 'Built by ATI' cards are better than either PowerColor or Saphire. But if I were buying a card I'd definately be looking at the 8500 over the 7500, there is a WORLD of performance difference!

Junk · Jan 22, 2003, 10:20 AM

World of difference, and the price isn't too bad. Check here for Pricewatch's current price. I bought a Sapphire 9000, and if I could, I would return it for an 8500, but hindsight is always 20/20...

LioCraft · Jan 23, 2003, 02:42 PM

I'm in Chile pals.....the price difference, even the price level is absolutly diferent here than in the states.

Redstone · Jan 24, 2003, 02:10 AM

I wait for a card to be out at least 6 months to a year before considering a purchase. By that time there is not big difference in price between “built by” and “powered by” ATI cards. For the minimal price difference, I will always buy “built by” cards. I have read too many complaints about “powered by’s”. The little savings involved isn’t worth the risk. I want stability and quality over speed anyway. I am sure there are very good "powered by” boards out there. It simply is a piece of mind issue for me. If you must buy a powered by card, you may consider the Sapphire. They seem to have more support.

Regarding 8500’s:
I think the best bang for the buck out there right now is the Radeon 8500... at least in the states. Very good card, can handle any game available and quite cheap at less than $100.00 US.