Newegg's List of RADEON 9600XT's

[py258]

I've been looking around, and the RADEON 9600XT seems to be a good candidate for me (I like the price).

I went to newegg to check it out, and I sorted it to the number of votes. Sorry I can't give u a link because it can't do the search results.

The rankings are from most votes to least: Gigabyte, Asus, Sapphire, ATI, Sapphire (256MB), AIW, another sapphire, Powercolor, etc.

What do you guys think about this list? I'm asking this because I got the nasty habit of deciding what I like by the number of votes a product has at newegg when I built my first computer 2 months ago.

I've seen that in these forums, people are saying a lot of good things about Sapphire.

Right now, the Sapphire one costs $150, and the one made by ATI is $172

Also, is now a good time to buy a video card? I know that the newer cards are coming out, and the old ones' prices will drop. How long do you guys think it will be before the prices go down to a really sweet price?

[Hi Ho]

I'd say just about any ATI card would be a good bet. ATI enforces strict quality controls on all the companies that manufacture their cars. I have heard a lot about Sapphire as well and that's the card I recommend because they are usually cheaper. Nvidia is another story. Some guy in a basement could be making cards with their chipsets.

[juicelooser]

Any card with an ATI chip will be good - ATI holds its OEM manufacturers to high standards. I'd recommend just going with the cheapest.

[py258]

so do u guys have any thoughts about the right time to get a good deal on a video card? I don't desprately need one, but it would be nice to upgrade from a 32MB Geforce2 PCI soon.

[kram 2.0]

Originally posted by Hi Ho I'd say just about any ATI card would be a good bet. ATI enforces strict quality controls on all the companies that manufacture their cars. I have heard a lot about Sapphire as well and that's the card I recommend because they are usually cheaper. Nvidia is another story. Some guy in a basement could be making cards with their chipsets.

Can't say that better myself - and one more suggestion. They may be all identical, except some have 256 onboard DDR and some others may have 128 onboard. The 128 ones are probably the better deal - the little money that is needed to get the 256 isn't really worth the performance.

And the ATI AIW card - that is an entire new world. AIWs combine functionality of multimedia stuff, like VIVO and Cable input into the graphics card. If you can afford it and want the functions, then definately that. ZipZoomFly has them for a little less expensive, I think - around 210 USD.

Hope that helps,
kram

[popgoesthweasel]

IF you got to buy a card you have to buy a card but for $30 to $50 more you can swing a 9800Pro. IF you can wait they might go down some more, The differnece is the number of pipelines the 9800Pro has is eight, the 9600Pro has only 4. You will notice the differnece between a 9800Pro and a 9600XT and it will be in the 9800's favor.

I believe my Saphire 9600Pro has a heat problem and I have heard of other Saphire owners iwth the same problem. I know ATI card makers use the same basic card so there has to be a differnce some where in the manufacturing process. Don't be fooled into thinking all ATI branded cars are the same. Right now I would og with ATI , HIGHTECH, or maybe a POWERCOlOR.

[py258]

thanks for that thought popgoestheweasel