So who really makes the best video cards?

[raging bull]

in reliability and quality.....

[ctal]

I think that if a poll were conducted EVGA would win.

Regards,
-- Al

[ctal]

Originally Posted by ctal

I think that if a poll were conducted EVGA would win.

Now that I mention it:

X-bit labs - The Best of 2007: X-bit Labs Reader’s Choice Awards (page 5)

(Although the criteria were not restricted to quality and reliability).

-- Al

[raging bull]

cool...thanks.....(although 24 percent doesnt seem an overwhelming vote.....)
but come to think of it, is there really a lot of difference in cards, aside from the cooling fan and the warranty?

[traveler]

Originally Posted by raging bull

cool...thanks.....(although 24 percent doesnt seem an overwhelming vote.....)
but come to think of it, is there really a lot of difference in cards, aside from the cooling fan and the warranty?

Yeah, there is.

I've been researching this question for months and months. Some cards just work better than other cards.

So far, I think I'm going to settle on VisionTek. I believe they are considered one of a few "certified" manufacturers by ATI and the advantage with that is you the consumer can get direct tech support from ATI itself.

[TQ]

Personally, if I were going for an ATi card I'd choose Sapphire. They were one of ATi's original partners (actually supplying ATi themselves with reference cards back in the day) and still work closely with them to this day.

I just looked at VisionTek's website and found no mention of any 48x-series product, which I thought was kind of odd.

For me it boils down to this: if I'm buying an nVidia card I'd choose eVGA. If I'm buying ATi I'd go with Sapphire.
I'm not saying those choices are set in stone but those are the first companies I'd look to.

[WhiteEclipse]

I am not sure about ATI cards, but with nvidia, foxconn makes the cards for all major US resellers. I believe that Leadtek is the only one with a big presence here, that is manufactured separately (and this may no longer be true). So it really all comes down to extra stuff, like warranty, customer service, etc - so I agree with TQ that evga is best, although BFG is good also.

[polonyc2]

for Nvidia---> EVGA and XFX

for ATI---> HIS

the cards are mostly the same with the exception being cooling (some use after market coolers) and warranty (with EVGA you can change the cooler and pretty much do anything to the card as long as it is still working and they will honor the warranty)

[Bampson]

Originally Posted by polonyc2

for Nvidia---> EVGA and XFX

for ATI---> HIS

the cards are mostly the same with the exception being cooling (some use after market coolers) and warranty (with EVGA you can change the cooler and pretty much do anything to the card as long as it is still working and they will honor the warranty)

I personally like HIS for ATI as well simply for the fact of their efficient and quiet cooling solutions. If they come out with an IceQ3 design for the 4870, I'm all over it to cool and quiet down that beast.

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by TQ

Personally, if I were going for an ATi card I'd choose Sapphire. They were one of ATi's original partners (actually supplying ATi themselves with reference cards back in the day) and still work closely with them to this day.

I just looked at VisionTek's website and found no mention of any 48x-series product, which I thought was kind of odd.

For me it boils down to this: if I'm buying an nVidia card I'd choose eVGA. If I'm buying ATi I'd go with Sapphire.
I'm not saying those choices are set in stone but those are the first companies I'd look to.

ditto. I used to buy built by ATI cards for ATI, but I don't think they sell them anymore.

[TQ]

Originally Posted by Bampson

I personally like HIS for ATI as well simply for the fact of their efficient and quiet cooling solutions. If they come out with an IceQ3 design for the 4870, I'm all over it to cool and quiet down that beast.

I've only been peripherally aware of HIS until this morning and you're right: I'll have to look hard at them, too, when I go to purchase a 4870. A cooler, quieter 4870 would be a very good thing.

[Rickwell]

You can have video cards that use the same reference design.But the difference is in the cooling,driver,video bios and OS software they use.They can set the up the card to clock different on the core and memory,Have different voltages to the core or memory.Newer video cards are higher tech now with clock deltas and speeds that change with the vender selling it.But as to which one is better, you will just have to decide for yourself or what other have to say about each one.

[XJ.]

Well, XFX, BFG and EVGA all offer lifetime warranties, IIRC. I know that EVGA's techs are fairly active in the company forums.

[johnrr6]

Nvidia-----eVGA

I love their warranty----step up program----tech support----and forum...

ATI----no clue....

I've heard VisonTek, Sapphire, HIS----but have no persaonal experience to back it up since I've been nvidia for the last 4 years....

I have a VisionTek 4850----so I'll get some experience with that outfit....

[ATINUT]

Originally Posted by TQ

Personally, if I were going for an ATi card I'd choose Sapphire. They were one of ATi's original partners (actually supplying ATi themselves with reference cards back in the day) and still work closely with them to this day.

I just looked at VisionTek's website and found no mention of any 48x-series product, which I thought was kind of odd.

For me it boils down to this: if I'm buying an nVidia card I'd choose eVGA. If I'm buying ATi I'd go with Sapphire.
I'm not saying those choices are set in stone but those are the first companies I'd look to.

Visiontek is making 4850 and 4870 cards, but don't have the product pages for the cards up yet. I just checked Visiontek's website. I have the Visiontek 3870X2 and haven't had one once of trouble with it gaming wise. Only thing I had to do was update the bios for each videochip, to take care of the fan speed and powerplay issue.

I wouldn't get HIS, I've heard HIS when it comes to warranty, is far worse than anyone else that produces ATI videocards.