Need ATI 9800 pro help for a friend

[iNeb]

I'm looking to upgrade my 16MB Nvidia Vanta to a 128MB ATI radeon 9000 pro. I've read great reviews about it and I like the 120Hz refresh @ 1600x1200, which is my preferred resolution, and I also like the price range. Right now, I'm trying to figure out which manufacture I should buy from. I was just going to go with ATI since it is there chip, but I was talking with one of my friends and he said that sometimes the third party manufacture's can actually make a better card for a cheaper price. I haven't been able to find anything online that compares the same chip to different manufactures, and I was hoping to get some help from here. So if you know anything about which, if any, manufacture is superior, or if you can point me in the right direction of where to look, that'd be great! Also, if you think I'm making a grievous error and can think of a better 128mb card for me to buy, let me know that too. Thanks

I suggested a 9800pro from sapphire, what this a good choice?

[tmx468]

No offence iNeb, but you really should not give people advice if you don't have a clue.
Either stay clear, or help out if you KNOW of a solution, or something to try.

Reasoning:
If he is upgrading from a Vanta, he is unlikely to need to latest and greatest card, as gaming is unlikely to be his aim (without many other upgrades. This is supported by the fact he is gunning for the 9000.
It is the res that is important to him, and so he is likely to do graphics or other 'large res' stuff... a 9800pro is both overkill for his needs, at a premium price.

This Card Would be a better bet for what he asked for... and cheaper to boot!

Of course, if you Really wanted to suggest a great bells and whistles card, then you should first ask what he needs the card for, and tailor your advice based on his answers, rather than what you would get if you have all the cash in the world...

[iNeb]

Thanks for the advice, this is what i said to him:

I know nothing about ati's but i heard sapphire is a good choice:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...tion=14-102-281

I'll ask around for you

[tmx468]

(Check your link dude!)

[iNeb]

It was the right one, i just copy and posted what i said, here is the actual link i sent him:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=14-102-281

[tmx468]

$375 vs $72... I would imagine, unless he has a great PC and an awful graphics card, that he would only be best getting the 9000, and leaving the 9800 on the shelf...

What were your reasons for recommending the 9800pro?

[iNeb]

Ah man.. I misread it. I swear the 9000 was 9800, wondered why you were giving me a hard time.

So what manufacturer do you recommend

[tmx468]

To be honest mate, at that level anything is likely to have a driver update and will be fine but the card in my link above is a good bet. Not bad value either!!

Hope he enjoys his card