Which X850 XT to buy?

[Scosglen]

I'm building a new gaming rig and I'm pretty sure I've settled up an X850 XT as my GPU, since newegg has them for super cheap at around $170. My issue is WHICH X850 to buy.

Is there any difference between these two cards, aside from one being sold out and the other not?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102688

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102505

Is the Sapphire X850 a quality buy? A lot of the reviews on newegg complain about the fan being really loud and heating issues. (I plan to do no, or very very modest overclocking if at all on this system).
Would a card like: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161164 offer me any real reason to spend an extra $20 on it?


As a small addendum, I'd like to add that If I"m not mistaken the X850 doesn't support SM3.0. Is this really something that I need to worry about? What kinds of things will only having SM 2.0 limit, or is this just another case of GPU manufacturers having a buzzword war.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[swifty_morgan]

They might have higher clock speeds than some cards, and it may be cheaper now, but, if it doesn't support 3.0, don't buy it.

I own one, and is in this machine I'm writing this post on. Older games play well, but things like cod2 and FEAR, will be hiding a lot from your eyes. And if you are going to purchase FEAR, the 850 plays like crap. Honestly !

If you have to have an ati card, get an 18 or 1900, . You'll be able to see more, the games will play better, and will be more "futureproof",.... man, I hate that word,..... than the 850. The older cards, and even the 1800 are being phased out as we speak. As are the 7800gt, and gtx and the 7800/512 cards, to make room for the new stuff.

Don't sell yourself short...you have to live with it.

It's all about what your eye can see, and the 850 hides alot.

Save a little more money, if thats an issue, to buy a different card, you'll be glad you did


Now, I won't say anymore about it, but I'm sure the diehard ati fans will have a lot to say.

.........they always do......lol

 

[3Ball]

I would personally go with the Sapphire X850XT that is $175, it's a great price for the card...sapphiretech has never failed me before and the only difference between the two Sapphire cards is that one is Lite retail, the other is full retail. This means that you will get more software such as maybe a few cheap games in the box...in the end they are both the exact card. Yes the card may get warm but it vents out of the case so I think you will be find there...my friend has one and I have had one and it worked great for me!

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[oompa]

Morgan whats ur computers specs?