Which brand? HIS, PowerColor, or Sapphire

[Groundbound1]

Ok, I'm about to revive my aging agp system (I know, I know) by purchasing an HD 3850. (I said I know) I have the cash for the card, and I don't mind spending it. The problem is that I don't have any first hand experience with any of the brands this series of card is available from.

So I'd like to ask you, my fellow simmers, to share any stories, good or bad, that may help me make up my mind on which to get.

Thoughts?

[Wii]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=agp+hd3850

There's the list of them...
Sapphire seems to have the better reviews.

[Groundbound1]

That's kinda the way I've been leaning, but the cooler on the one from PowerColor looks like it might be a little more effective.

To be honest, I'm sure a 3850 is overkill on my system, but they're about the same price as a new X1950 (when you can find them) which is what I was actually looking for in the first place, so I figure "WTH".

[Wii]

That's kinda the way I've been leaning, but the cooler on the one from PowerColor looks like it might be a little more effective.

To be honest, I'm sure a 3850 is overkill on my system, but they're about the same price as a new X1950 (when you can find them) which is what I was actually looking for in the first place, so I figure "WTH".

Bah, why pay an extra $50 for a better cooler...got my 8800GT and bought an $8 fan. 10c cooler.

[MWISimmer]

My previous card, HD2600XT was a Sapphire. Superb card, great value for money and "did the job" with ease. I'd recommend Sapphire anyday....

Until..

I bought my current card, HD3870XT, made by PowerColor. Awesome card, again great for the money.

Summary.. Don't ask me, they're both good  ;D

Unfortunately I can't comment on HIS as I have no experience of them...yet  ;)

[Groundbound1]

[quote]My previous card, HD2600XT was a Sapphire. Superb card, great value for money and "did the job" with ease. I'd recommend Sapphire anyday....

Until..

I bought my current card, HD3870XT, made by PowerColor. Awesome card, again great for the money.

Summary.. Don't ask me, they're both good

[MWISimmer]

I have heard a few horror stories about the HD2XXX cards, mainly due to driver issues. Did you have any problems with yours? (but yours was PCI-E though, huh)

I did indeed, but it was easily resolved. I kept getting a message at startup that my Catalyst Control driver was unable to support my card.. but it made no difference to performance and I eventually ignored it. It had no detrimental effect whatsoever.

I put it down to Vista as it started immediately after I installed SP1.

All in all, the 2600XT was a good card when I had it in my rig (I did have the 256mb DDR4 model) and it looked great through HDMI on to my 32" LCD TV. A good, cheap way to get DX10 and HD output.  :)

[Slotback]

Out of them? Power Colour. It's cheapest yet has a better cooler.

[richardd43]

I have the HIS and have no complaints.

[Mermaid Man]

2600XT is slower than a 1800XT (upto 60% slower in Oblivion, 1920x1200)  which is a couple of gens old. The fastest cards are the X1950 Pro and the  3850 pro (for agp)

[Groundbound1]

Thanks for the input, all. They just dropped the price on the 3850 from Sapphire, so I think I'm gonna try that one. Maybe I'll be able to get a year or two more out of this old rig yet. I'd rather have too much video card than not enough.

[Mermaid Man]

If your PC is a bit basic spec (512MB/1GB RAM) and a Celeron or sub 2ghz P4 I wouldn't bother replace the videocard, just buy a whole new rig.

[Groundbound1]

Well, my system isn't high-end exactly, but it's not low-end either. (for a socket 478 system anyway). I think if I replace my current Prescott with a Gallatin P4, it might end up being halfway decent even. At any rate, the new card is on it's way. Thanks agian for the help.