Sapphire/ATI

[crobb100]

Hi-
I searched for an ATI 9800 Pro 128 mb card-found one on Xtremegear's web site. Site stated "ATI 9800 Pro 128 mb" card.

Today I received a Sapphire card-9800 Pro, 128 mb. XTremegear is trying to tell me that it's the SAME card as the ATI, and that ATI only makes the graphics processor chip.

The Sapphire card has Samsung RAM chips-K40263238E-GC2A. These appear to be 2.8 ns chips.

I assume that I am correct in that Sapphire and ATI are two different cards. How is the RAM in the Sapphire? What speed? Is it worth continuing to fight with them for the ATI card? I think this is deceptive on their part.

Thanks!

CoolerMaster ATCS Al case
Asus P4PE 533 mhz
Pentium 4 2.53 GHz
1 GB OCZ PC2700
120 GB Maxtor 7200 RPM
Gainward GF 4 Ti 4200 128 mb

 

[cleeve]

Sapphire actually manufactures the "Built by Ati" cards for Ati. Ati manufactured the GPUs.

The Sapphire branded versions will probably use different memory for the "Built by Ati" versions tho.

You'd have to ask around, but oftentimes manufacturers like Sapphire will use different memory for the same card based on how much they buy at the time and from whom.

Best bet is to ask around the forums on Rage3d.com. Lots of Ati heads there.

------------------
Radeon 9500 (hardmodded to PRO, o/c to 322/322)
AMD AthlonXP 2400+ (o/c to 2600+ with 143 fsb)
3dMark03: 4055

 

[Crashman]

The Samsung 2.86ns modules are also used on ATI cards, so it's probably the same card except for the warranty. I think ATI's warranty is a bit longer than Saphire's.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[lhgpoobaa]

Like someone said sapphire actually make the ATI cards, so it doesnt really matter.

Quality of the sapphire cards is great.
and the 2A 2.86ns ram should overclock to around 360 or 370Mhz.


<b>I am not a AMD fanboy.
I am not a Via fanboy.
I am not a ATI fanboy.
I AM a performance fanboy.
And a low price fanboy.
Regards,
Mr no integrity coward.</b>

 

[crobb100]

I went over to the Rage3D community and asked about this card, as was suggested-and got this back:

You got duped. The black PCB (and floppy-style connector) are the signs of 9700pcb, not 9800 one. It is so-called Sapphire Radeon 9800 pro-lite version, which a little slower than a regular Radeon 9800 pro (about2-3% difference). Still, this is not an BBA Radeon 9800 pro by a long stretch.

My response after investigating some more:


I WAS feeling better about this card because of good reviews and Samsung chips-now am concerned again!

However, there are these comments on the NewEgg web site about the card they have, which is exactly the same as mine:

I spoke with the Sapphire technical support desk and asked about the black PCB. The PCB is a carry over from the 9700 pro, but the VPU and memory are all genuine 9800 pro hardware (including the good Samsung memory).

Like the reviewer before me, I was hesitant about this card due to the black PCB and heatsink, which is reminiscent of the 9700 Ulitmate edition. However, upon installing the card, running 3dmark03 and mafia at full-details, 4xAA, 16XAF, this card rocks! The clock speeds are correct for a 9800pro and the memory is rated for 350MHz (700DDR), which exceeds specifications.

Since I placed my order with Newegg I started to raise a lot of questions about the black pcb 9800 pro from Sapphire. After reading tons of stories about black pcb 9700 pro cards that had bios problems I was sure mine would also be messed up. I plugged the card right in and did a clean install of windows. No problems at all! I'm running the latest omega drivers. This card is a legit 9800 pro.

Pic is here:

http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage...-102-304-01.JPG

So of course, the next thing I did was to pull off the HS-chip says:

ATI
R350
215R8RBKA12F
N01925.00
0325AA
Taiwan

Any comments-I don't want to get screwed on the card! Appreciate everyone's input.


CoolerMaster ATCS Al case
Asus P4PE 533 mhz
Pentium 4 2.53 GHz
1 GB OCZ PC2700
120 GB Maxtor 7200 RPM
Gainward GF 4 Ti 4200 128 mb

 

[cleeve]

Sounds like the guy at Rage3d was a purist.

Might be using the 9700 PCB, but that doesn't really matter; it's still a 256 bit memory interface, you've still got great overclockable memory, you've got an R350 (Radeon 9800) GPU, it still runs fine.

Sounds good to me.

------------------
Radeon 9500 (hardmodded to PRO, o/c to 322/322)
AMD AthlonXP 2400+ (o/c to 2600+ with 143 fsb)
3dMark03: 4055

 

[HardWareBoss]

Did you get your vid card from Xtremegear or New Egg?

 

[crobb100]

Xtremegear-there was no pic on their web site, so I used the one from NewEgg. Same card.

BTW-I called Xtremegear yesterday to ask about this, as their web page says "ATI Radeon 9800 Pro", not Sapphire/Radeon as some of their other cards are described, asked why a Sapphire when their page says ATI. They said it was OME, and therefore could be anything. I disagreed. Was told they would have a customer service rep call me. Never did. I might stay away from this vendor in the future.

CoolerMaster ATCS Al case
Asus P4PE 533 mhz
Pentium 4 2.53 GHz
1 GB OCZ PC2700
120 GB Maxtor 7200 RPM
Gainward GF 4 Ti 4200 128 mb

 

[HardWareBoss]

I would they have crappy customer service. At least you got a Sapphire.