sapphire,powercolor,or ati

[spyman]

I want to buy a 9600pro vid card. The Sapphire comes with sof2 and pwrdvd4, the powercolor comes with tomeraider6, big mutha truckers,windvd, and a few demo disks, both are the same price.

The bb ati card is 20 dollars more and I don't think it comes with any software other than drivers.

So what do I get. Are the 2 cheaper cards just as good, if so which one is better. I've read some reviews on the sapphire card but can't seem to find much on powercolor(read a review on powercolor9600pro bravo, but not just the pro).

Does sapphire still put cheaper slower ram on thier cards? What about powercolor do they run at the same specs. as ati?Cause I'm gonna overclock!

I don't want to spend more for it than I have to and getting free software is always nice, but is thier a price for this?

[Bigjakkstaffa]

Ati - best quality components
Sapphire - good quality components
POwercolour - Decent quality components

--Jakk:t

[Rugor]

Just so you know, there are times that you get BBA when you buy Sapphire. Both P4-Gamer and I have had Ati's in Sapphire clothing, so they're a decent second choice. But don't buy a bottom of the line Sapphire.

[KraZy_SkitZy]

I personally think Gigabyte makes a great ATI card :t

[$1500-P4 gamer]

Yep. My 9800 NP is BBA but was sold under Sapphire's name. The high end like Rugor said is the good stuff. And if it wasnt made for ati (at high end)-its the same spec. The Tyan 9600pro is a NICE looking one too. Beutifull HSF on it. Covers both sides of card. ramsinks. Mem wont budge but the GPU olcocks like nobodys buis. If your looking at the 9600pro specifically look at the Tyan G9600pro aswell. www.newegg.com has them.:t

[Comage]

Personally, I would go for the ATI-made ATI card myself. I personally don't care for any software bundles. I'm the no-frills type of buyer. :)

[Magua]

I agree, get the Built by ATI card. You can't go wrong with it

[MomHerrmann]

Thank you everyone!! I have just spent this day contemplating these exact questions!!
Still have one more question:
ATI or Gigabyte w/ATI?
Thanks for the help!!:p

[Rugor]

I'd go BB ATI, unless I had a Gigabyte mobo and wanted to color-coordinate the vid card and mobo.

Oh I do have a Gigabyte mobo, but I still went Sapphire and ended up BBA. (But my mobo isn't blue).

[MomHerrmann]

I am using the MSI KT6 fis2r, so red and blue, I like all the colors!!
Are Gigabyte video cards as good as their mobos?

[KraZy_SkitZy]

Originally posted by MomHerrmann
I am using the MSI KT6 fis2r, so red and blue, I like all the colors!!
Are Gigabyte video cards as good as their mobos?

If memory serves me well, Gigabyte makes the fastest Radeon 9800 :t

[MomHerrmann]

I ordered something a little older, the Gigabyte 9200 VIVO card from NewEgg.com last nite. It was more in my price range!
Thanks!:)