Seems good, but...

[NapalmTruth]

... is it?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...161-109&depa=0

High Tech ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "EXCALIBUR R9800PRO ICEQ " -RETAIL

Model# ICE98-2H-ZAM
Item # N82E16814161109

Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 9800PRO/380MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/680MHz
BUS: AGP 4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub) + TV-Out(S-Video/Composite Out) + DVI
Support 3D API: DirectX 9.0, OpenGL 2.0
Cable/Accessories: 2 Adapters, 3 Cables, 6 CD, Manual
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz

[mrmister1]

I haven't had any experience with it personally, but ATi does have very strict quality control over all there manufacturers.

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

I have one of those cards, its very good, the cooling is superb, although it does take up two slots, I get ~16000 in 3DMark 01SE, ~5000 in 3DMark 03, and I think ~2300 in 3DMark 05. Thats with 512mb of ram, and a Athlon XP 2500. It also got the Toms Hardware Best of the Bunch award, or something like that, comes with a power splitter, a DVI-VGA connector, and a S-Video and composite video cables, along with an S-Video to composite adapter. In terms of CD's it has, a driver disk (which I never used), a game called Arx Fatalis (RPG, I didn't like it much), PowerDVD 5, 3D Album Picture Pro, and a demo disk with Vietcong, Railroad Pioneer, Neighboors from Hell, Tropico 2 and Aquanox 2 on. All in all I like it.

[kram 2.0]

I would be a bit weary...it does seem to take up two slots. Cooling shouldn't be a problem but the weight on the card might be. Leadtek built a similar version on the nVidia side the GeForce 6800 GT and there were stories that the HSF on the chip was too heavy. I'd say with the ATI quality control that it enforces, you should be fine. You should be accorded with a good amount of manufacturer warranty on top of that.

kram

[TwoRails]

I wouldn't get it for the simple fact it takes two slots and that is NOT required for that card. Is that brand trying to be like nVidia cards??

[shadowbreaker513]

but you can overclock the living crap outta it with that fan

[NapalmTruth]

alright, so should I just go with the card Kram suggested to me:

PowerColor ATI Radeon 9800PRO Video Card w/ Hitman Game, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, 8X AGP, Model "R98-PC3G" -BULK -OEM

Model# R98-PC3G
Item # N82E16814131247

Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 9800PRO/380MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/674MHz
BUS: AGP 4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub) + TV-Out(S-Video/Composite Out) + DVI
Support 3D API: DirectX 9.0, OpenGL 2.0
Cable/Accessories: DVI to VGA Adapter, S-Video to Composite Out Adapter, 3 Cables, 4 CD, Manual
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz
OEM Bulk Pack(See pics for details)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-247&depa=0

[TwoRails]

That's a nice card, but I'd also look at the retail version to see what you'd get for probably not too much more $$