Which card is better

[ak_smallz]

Quick question,

I have heard that the HIS Radeon 9800 Pro ICEQ (128mb) is very overclockable (can get to XT Speeds) because it has a cooler. At the moment it is $230 on newegg. Should i go for that or the $280 ATI 9800 pro (256mb). Especially with HL2 comin out.

HIS: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-161-109&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

ATI:http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-361&depa=1

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[ak_smallz]

also, add into the mix the MSI and Sapphire versions of the 9800pro. MSI is only 180, and Sapphire is 210. Which one would give the best bang for my buck?

MSI: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-127&depa=1

Sapphire :http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-268&depa=1

Thanks again!

 

[lev2323]

I dont know about the HIS or MSI, but I would say get the Sapphire. Very solid card. Also has a good chance of having a R360 core (XT GPU) and a XT board. That means you can softmod it to an XT and then OC it some more! You can see my aquamark score in my sig with my OCed Sapphire 9800Pro. So my advice is the Sapphire and buy an Artic Cooling VGA Silencer (also at newegg) and OCed the hell out of it! You will not be disapointed. I play CS Source with no lag with all settings on high. I average about 68 fps on the stress test.