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Radeon 8500 64mb or Radeon 8500LE 128mb?

Tags:
  • Graphics Cards
  • Radeon
  • Gigabyte
  • ATI
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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September 28, 2002 5:57:09 PM

Radeon 8500 64mb or Radeon 8500LE 128mb
The title says it all. Which do you suggest and why? Note that the 8500 64mb is a refurbished Gigabyte opposed to the 128mb LE which is built by ATI.

More about : radeon 8500 64mb radeon 8500le 128mb

September 28, 2002 6:13:32 PM

If the R8500 64MB is clocked at 275/275, then I'd say go for that. Otherwise, go for the R8500LE 128MB.

...And all the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put my computer back together again...
September 28, 2002 8:04:06 PM

The Radeon 8500LE is underclocked. You won't have a problem clocking the GPU back up to original speed, but they put slower memory (5ns memory) so you might have a problem getting the memory clock stable above 200Mhz(400Mhz DAC).

The extra 64 mb of memory won't make much of a difference until gaming engines decide to start using.

If prices are equal and you don't mind 'refurbished' cards, then go for the 64 mb version.

Pain is the realization of your own weakness.
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September 28, 2002 8:32:18 PM

If both cards are the same price and the 8500LE 128MB is truly a BBA (built by Ati) I'd go with it. The ATI built 8500LE's don't use any memory slower than 4ns BGA memory. Some use 3.6ns memory BGA memory.

JKII performs better with the extra memory and so does Commanche (don't know who would want this game). Haven't heard about any other games that utilize extra video memory.

One thing, if you need dual head operation, make sure you research this before you purchase your card. Not all boards with DVI work with a DVI-VGA adapter. This means they are not true DVI-I.

<b>I have so many cookies I now have a FAT problem!</b>
September 28, 2002 11:10:10 PM

ATi uses only Infineon 3.6/3.3ns BGA RAM for their R8500/LE 128MB cards. So very good quality.

The R8500LE 128MB BBA does not have dual monitor capability.

...And all the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put my computer back together again...
September 28, 2002 11:39:46 PM

The refurbished 64mb one would be from Newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=...) and the LE would be from Compusa (local store and has a $50 mail in rebate). I don't care about dual monitor support. But, I'm looking for a card that will last a long time. I'm upgrading from a voodoo3 2000 that i've had for around five years.
September 28, 2002 11:56:09 PM

Damn just realized the gigabyte 64mb card is a pro. Pro meaning LE for gigabyte cards. Thanks for all the input.
September 29, 2002 12:35:10 AM

Quote:
ATi uses only Infineon 3.6/3.3ns BGA RAM for their R8500/LE 128MB cards. So very good quality.

Are you sure?

I thought it was 3.3/3.6 for 128MB 8500/8500OEM and 3.6/4.0 for 128MB 8500LE/8500LE OEM.

Oh well, I know my 64MB 8500OEM uses Hynix 3.3ns TSOP memory.
Quote:
The R8500LE 128MB BBA does not have dual monitor capability.

My 8500OEM has VGA and DVI connectors but the DVI connector is DVI-D and not DVI-I so a DVI-VGA adapter will not work.

Hey, I noticed you finally were able to put together a system. Did you find a USA vendor that would ship to Canada? I just discovered today that Googlegear.com does.

<b>I have so many cookies I now have a FAT problem!</b>
September 29, 2002 12:53:47 AM

Newegg.com is still selling the card I bought. This one

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=1..." target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=1...;/A>

It's billed as a 64MB Radeon 8500LE OEM but they still seem to be shipping Radeon 8500 OEM (not LE). Read the customer comments. The cards are clocked at 250 Mhz core/275 Mhz memory with 3.3 ns TSOP Hynix memory. The price has crept up a little to $89 but shipping is currently free (this weekend only I think).

Mine overclocks to 300/340 (that's 680 DDR speed) with a little cooling help.

<b>I have so many cookies I now have a FAT problem!</b>
September 29, 2002 3:03:13 AM

Oh, I was talking about BBA Retail cards :wink: I really don't know about OEM ones, they're too unpredictable.

Yeah, I got my system together. I didn't bother shipping from the US, I'd have to pay customs fees and stuff and I was afraid that the shipment could get stopped at customs, so I just ordered from within Canada.

Yeah, I heard about that DVI-D thing on that card.

Yeah, I saw that Googlegear shipped to Canada, but I thought it to be safer to order from here.

...And all the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put my computer back together again...
!