Gigabyte does make a nice piece of work, but it's not a storied name like Hercules or ASUS or Sapphire (which gets too much respect for it's basic cards if you ask me), It's 'OK'but not something people say is AWESOME. As for Powercolor, it is notoriously poor quality. They do have an R9600XT that is interesting, it's the BRAVO edition, which is overclocked a HUGE amount, likely has very fast memory (like 2.5ns Samsung or 2.2ns Hynix), but they have too many issues to recommend. But yes Powercolor is notorious for nor conforming to spec. The sell underclocked cards, and poorly named cards (for 4+ months they called their R9700non-pro a PRO [later renamed it to R9700GOLD]), they often use cheaper memory as well. Eve review site have gotten strange cards. Take a look at the overclocking section of <A HREF="http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NDgzLDI=" target="_new">THIS review</A>.
In any case, the problem with CHEAP R9600Pros is that often they aren't REAL R9600Pro, they just have that in their name. Like the GigaPuke err GigaCube (now GeXcube) line whihc has 'Pro'(s) that are really just slightly different non-pros which will never come anywhere near REAL Pro performance. So usually cheap means you have to do alot more work to be sure of what you are getting. Also a good warranty (no hassle return policy type of one) is a good idea for those.
The ASUS does add alot of features and is very attractive, but if you won't be using VIVO and such, then the extra may not be worth it. The HL2 coupon should be good (it's an online activation code, so it should work from anywhere in the world I would think).
In any case, like I said originally, if you want to stay close to your original investment, then the Gigabyte is a GOOD choice. It's pretty solid, and the company has always done me right by my MOBO choices (they have contacted retailers for me an arranged replacements within 3 hrs of my e-mailing them). Not sure if that extendeds to the same support for Video Cards.
The ASUS is a great choice, but more expensive. The rebate of the HL2 coupon is nice. But seriously, the R9600XT is NOT SIGNIFICANTLY better than the R9600Pro. $50US difference, yeah, for that you better want all the extras. The performance increase is there and MAY let you play one or two more titles than the R9600Pro, but I doubt that. It's like the Porsche 911 series. Do you wants the Screaming fast Carrera 4s (aka C4s) for $150K or do you want to spend an Extra $25K for the Turbo? They are both awesome and Screamin' fast. The Turbo just gives you a little extra. But likely the C4s is more than enough car, and likely beyond 90% of turbo owners needs anyways. Sometimes we just want the best, even though it's no really a wise choice. You really need to lopk at what you need/want. Temp monitoring, COOL granted, VIVO nice if you want to watch/record TV on your PC, a little extra overclocking headroom, also nice. But will all this matter that much? That's up to you, you have gone from ~$165 to ~$235 ($70) and that's not 'cheap', especially since you're already paying a premium over US prices in the US and Canada.
Now, not to colour your decision, just throwing this out there. What would I take, I would take the ASUS, but then again, I'm looking for features more than prices (I WILL look for the best deals on the ONE I choose). The ASUS has what I like, but most people will be more than happy with a powercolor that meets the basic R9600PRo spec. My next card will be an ASUS (unless ATI offers something special that they didn't with the XTs).
Anywhoo as always that's just my view from here.
FYI, I have a Built By ATI R9600Pro and I'm very happy with it.
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Thanks for the links, checking them out now...should have done that befoe I bought it...but you know how pretty they look in the store and 256mb screaming at you from the box...worst thing is the Best Of Toms 2003 big sticker on the box (with small print referring to the VTDR128 :\), oh well that's what brought me to this site and help from you guys...thanks again....I'll update you with the (hopefully) good news when I exchange it!
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