GPU Brands. Who to look out for?

[polobunny]

RMA with Sapphire has always been trouble for me. When it's not a dead RMA page, you can't get someone on the phone... It's hard though because there's very little choice for ATI cards it seems.

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by Dread

Agreed, PNY is NOT the same as others. And by not the same I mean they are not good.

Agreed. Besides having crappy customer service, I find their products (videocards, memory, etc.) to be overpriced without offering features to account for their extra cost.

[screwballl]

Originally Posted by polobunny

RMA with Sapphire has always been trouble for me. When it's not a dead RMA page, you can't get someone on the phone... It's hard though because there's very little choice for ATI cards it seems.

I have not had a problem with their products so I cannot comment on their support. I have done some mild and temporary OC on this X1950GT and it has handled everything nicely.
but when you are paying $120 for their card or $180 for the evga card, it is a tough call.

[Captain Crunch]

I'm not sure what card your looking for but I just got this one---> Newegg.com - MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics
over clocks pretty well and it's whisper quiet. It's 179 after rebate and come with a free game the witcher . If you dont like the game sell it and defray your cost of the board a little more!

[MontanaFX]

Unfortunately/fortunantly (I havent decided yet) I live in England and thus cant use The Egg. Thanx for the recommendation though, all information is very apreciated as always.

I was going to go for a 8800gt but will probably get a 9800gt once I have the funds.

[qazwsx]

Originally Posted by MontanaFX

Unfortunately/fortunantly (I havent decided yet) I live in England and thus cant use The Egg. Thanx for the recommendation though, all information is very apreciated as always.

I was going to go for a 8800gt but will probably get a 9800gt once I have the funds.

Its your money so I it's up to you, but I feel getting the 9800GTX is a waste. Its just an overclocked (not even by a huge amount) 8800GTS and an extra £40 price tag.

[azianai]

could always befriend someone to buy it for you and ship it to you, but you won't get warranty obviously since its a USA purchase. But i've done it for buddies in the UK, shipped them some video games/models/computer parts.

[MontanaFX]

@ Qaz. I was unaware of that. So its not a new technology as you are led to believe. Wouldnt it be more compatible for future releases?

@ Azi. I have considered shipping from the US in the past but am put off due to the gamble of having to pay import tax. Plus, once you pay the extra shipping, your savings are not cost effective considerinng you lose your warrenty.

[qazwsx]

Originally Posted by MontanaFX

@ Qaz. I was unaware of that. So its not a new technology as you are led to believe. Wouldnt it be more compatibly for future releases?

Nope, If you get an EVGA 8800GTS, you can overclock it to that speed (not guarrented results) and still have it covered by the warrenty. There is no difference in technology between the 8800GTS and the 9800GTX

[MontanaFX]

Sounds like a scam to generate more sales. Shocking stuff. Naughty Nvidia!!