Radeon 9700 (without the pro)

[Nosugref]

I saw the review about the 9700 with out the pro Radeon, but I can't find it anywhere on the market, the closest i came was a power color 9700 gold. Isn't ati going to make a radeon 9700? If you have found one tell me where.


Thanks,
Devin

Ferguson@magiccablepc.com

 

[Frisbee]

Hi;

In the article about the new 9500 Pro, THG states that ATI will only make cards based on the "PRO"-versions of its own chips. So the non-pro versions will only be sold by other manufacturers, such as Hercules.

So ATI itself won't make video cards with the non-pro chips, providing the info in THG's review of the 9500Pro is correct of course.

If you're wondering what make to buy, I can only tell you that I've had very good experiences with Hercules.
But if you live outside Europe, I don't know if you will find Hercules cards.

Hope this helped you to make your buying decision!

Greetings from Belgium;
Carl

 

[Nosugref]

I do live in the U.S. However getting hercules cards isn't a problem but rather I couldn't find where they made a 9700, the only ones I have found are gigabyte and power color. I have no problem with buying a gigabyte card but i can't find them in any searches using google or pricewatch. I did find 2 power color cards for $275, but the name just sounds kinda fishy, I am kinda weary of them unless they build the cards to ati specs or use a reference board from ati to build it. Also would they have specialized drivers so that i couldn't run catalyst drivers or do the catalyst work for all radeon 9700's.

 

[Frisbee]

Power Color is okay. Not well known, I know, but I would trust them.
They worked closely together with ST to make, distribute and sell the Kyro 1 and Kyro 2 videochips,
so it is not a s*?t company.

The 9700 and 9700Pro are very new, so it may take another week before you will find the Hercules ones.
Hercules is a European (French) company now, so they may send the first batches to EU distributors and then serve the US.
They HAVE launched a 9700-based card, you can check here:
http://europe.hercules.com/index_products.php?t=1

So I think you may have to wait for another couple of days before you will find the Hercules card. And yes, Hercules builds to ATI specs.

Hope this helps.
Carl

 

[Nosugref]

Your right Hercules does have one. They just don't have it on the US site yet for some reason. Thanks for the help.

Nosugref

 

[Frisbee]

Patience...patience...
I'm certain that they will sell in in the US too.
It's not Christmas yet, so you still have some time.

Carl