Best ATI Card Manufacturer?

BobDoleX · Jul 7, 2007, 01:22 AM

So, I've been out of the ATI buying scene for a while, and I'm trying to determine the quality of the cards put out by the various manufacturers. Quality support, as well as affordability, are both important to me. Cards can and will malfunction, and I want to do business with a company which will treat me well. Which of the various brands out there are best for my tastes? I'm basically looking for the EVGA of the ATI world.

What I've gathered so far:
-Sapphire is the high-volume maker, which often results in poor customer service
-HIS offers the high-end, premium solutions

Thanks!

CDsDontBurn · Jul 7, 2007, 03:39 AM

i have a PowerColor card. their customer support seems ok in terms of answering emails. but if you are in need of an RMA, be ready to have that back-up card ready! their RMA processing time takes 4 to 6 weeks!!!

Mind you, that doesn't include shipping to and from the company. Also, i read in the warranty policy page that YOU pay for the RMA service. You send them a money order of a certain amount, i forget the amount ATM, to have your card processed for RMA service.

If you're willing to put up with that IF you ever need an RMA, then by all means, go get a PowerColor card

.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jul 9, 2007, 07:56 PM

Sapphire is partnerd with ATI they make ALL "built by ATI",
and all "Sapphire" branded cards...

as for warranty just shop around and read the terms carefully

RoyBatty · Jul 9, 2007, 08:06 PM

There is a similar thread with poll: http://www.hardwareheaven.com/ati-grap...-deciding.html
Sapphire is the winner at the moment.

BobDoleX · Jul 11, 2007, 12:32 AM

Any feedback on Diamond? Used to love them back in the day.

SeanUK · Jul 17, 2007, 12:13 AM

I love the design of my Sapphire card, however I didnt really like dealing with their RMA service. Here in the UK i had to go through another company ESQ Computers, who request £26 "$52" through paypal to start the process, Then i had to wait a month on the replacement.. all that for a month old card

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jul 25, 2007, 07:19 PM

I'd have to say Sapphire or ATI themselves.

CDsDontBurn · Jul 26, 2007, 03:17 AM

i did some more research on PowerColor's RMA service policies. it turns out that their turn-around time is only 2 to 3 business days processing IF they have your particular model card in stock. otherwise, it will take longer for them to get you a replacement card as they only do exact exchange only for their end-user RMA.

then, the payment that they require, is only to ship the product back to you.

i guess PowerColor isn't all that bad then.....

PandaZ3 · Jul 26, 2007, 06:13 AM

I have a HIS, many ATI, a couple Sapphire and a couple ASUS, all are good. ATI is a "Reference card and as such is very reliable. They are also harder to open pipelines and such if you are into that. ATI rarely has extras like a Game or two. Now I look at the package and buy the best value. Now if I want a faster card....I buy a faster card. Cards are too expensive to clock for me.

honestjohn · Aug 6, 2007, 03:09 AM

I always recommend the Sapphire X1950 Pro 512MB AGP card as the best bang for your buck when someone asks, but I also heard from more than one person that they charge you a $15 handling fee for an RMA.

Jul 7, 2007, 01:22 AM	#1
BobDoleX DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Rep Power: 0	Best ATI Card Manufacturer? So, I've been out of the ATI buying scene for a while, and I'm trying to determine the quality of the cards put out by the various manufacturers. Quality support, as well as affordability, are both important to me. Cards can and will malfunction, and I want to do business with a company which will treat me well. Which of the various brands out there are best for my tastes? I'm basically looking for the EVGA of the ATI world. What I've gathered so far: -Sapphire is the high-volume maker, which often results in poor customer service -HIS offers the high-end, premium solutions Thanks!

Jul 7, 2007, 03:39 AM	#2
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,740 Rep Power: 231 System Specs	i have a PowerColor card. their customer support seems ok in terms of answering emails. but if you are in need of an RMA, be ready to have that back-up card ready! their RMA processing time takes 4 to 6 weeks!!! Mind you, that doesn't include shipping to and from the company. Also, i read in the warranty policy page that YOU pay for the RMA service. You send them a money order of a certain amount, i forget the amount ATM, to have your card processed for RMA service. If you're willing to put up with that IF you ever need an RMA, then by all means, go get a PowerColor card . __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Jul 9, 2007, 07:56 PM	#3
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	Sapphire is partnerd with ATI they make ALL "built by ATI", and all "Sapphire" branded cards... as for warranty just shop around and read the terms carefully __________________

Jul 17, 2007, 12:13 AM	#6
SeanUK DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK Posts: 32 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I love the design of my Sapphire card, however I didnt really like dealing with their RMA service. Here in the UK i had to go through another company ESQ Computers, who request £26 "$52" through paypal to start the process, Then i had to wait a month on the replacement.. all that for a month old card __________________

Jul 26, 2007, 03:17 AM	#8
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,740 Rep Power: 231 System Specs	i did some more research on PowerColor's RMA service policies. it turns out that their turn-around time is only 2 to 3 business days processing IF they have your particular model card in stock. otherwise, it will take longer for them to get you a replacement card as they only do exact exchange only for their end-user RMA. then, the payment that they require, is only to ship the product back to you. i guess PowerColor isn't all that bad then..... __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

Jul 9, 2007, 08:06 PM	#4
RoyBatty HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 1,941 Rep Power: 122 System Specs	There is a similar thread with poll: http://www.hardwareheaven.com/ati-grap...-deciding.html Sapphire is the winner at the moment.

Jul 11, 2007, 12:32 AM	Thread Starter #5
BobDoleX DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Rep Power: 0	Any feedback on Diamond? Used to love them back in the day.

Jul 25, 2007, 07:19 PM	#7
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	I'd have to say Sapphire or ATI themselves.

Jul 26, 2007, 06:13 AM	#9
PandaZ3 HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cornelius, Oregon Posts: 419 Rep Power: 0	I have a HIS, many ATI, a couple Sapphire and a couple ASUS, all are good. ATI is a "Reference card and as such is very reliable. They are also harder to open pipelines and such if you are into that. ATI rarely has extras like a Game or two. Now I look at the package and buy the best value. Now if I want a faster card....I buy a faster card. Cards are too expensive to clock for me. __________________ It has to be Plugged In? To electricity? Video cards in house, 5770, 4650, HD 3870, X1950 XTX, X1900 XTX, X1900 XT and X1900 Crossfire, 2 X1800 XT's, X850 Pro, X800 Pro, AIW 9600XT, 9600 Pro, 9550 SE, 9200, 7000. XFX 6800 GS

Aug 6, 2007, 03:09 AM	#10
honestjohn DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: I don't know, but it sure does smell funny... Posts: 36 Rep Power: 0	I always recommend the Sapphire X1950 Pro 512MB AGP card as the best bang for your buck when someone asks, but I also heard from more than one person that they charge you a $15 handling fee for an RMA.