Engineering samples

RVachon · Dec 1, 2004, 06:51 PM

I can get a x800 Pro eng. sample for a really good price. Is there something bad about these cards that I should be aware of?

Zardon · Dec 1, 2004, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVachon

I can get a x800 Pro eng. sample for a really good price. Is there something bad about these cards that I should be aware of?

Depends on the engineering sample. if its an early one sometimes they might be lower spec than the ones released. Of course this can also work in reverse, you need to get details from the person selling. ram etc.

RVachon · Dec 1, 2004, 07:26 PM

OK, thanks. He said he got it about 3 months ago from a friend of his that works for ATI in Markham. I'll see if he knows any of the details.

BTW, He's selling it for $350 CND (approx. $285 US) which isn't bad I guess.

Zardon · Dec 1, 2004, 07:35 PM

Generally the ones ive had are early runs which have overclocked to hell and back. Get him to send you the ram numbering, then find it on google, you never know you might get lucky and get 1200mhz rated ram.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 2, 2004, 12:09 AM

Engineering samples don't have any warrenty...( I think thats right)
Just do you best to get info about the markings and the numbers on the ram as Z said. Also You might ask what the card is clocked at....

*sireric* · Dec 2, 2004, 12:30 AM

And most of the time, ES boards do not have the latest bios, nor any final improvements/fixes -- For example, does this board have the latest decoupling, etc... -- These affect stability and compatibility, generally.

oxySyzygy · Dec 2, 2004, 01:17 AM

So is it a risk?

*sireric* · Dec 2, 2004, 01:36 AM

Well, if it's me, then I would use one. But, I doubt I would pay more than 50% of the street price for it.

RVachon · Dec 2, 2004, 04:00 PM

Yea I decided to pass on it. The guy wasn't willing to budge on the price and I thought it was still a little too high considering there was no warranty.

Dec 1, 2004, 06:51 PM	#1
RVachon Genuine Crazy Canuck Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hamilton, ON Canada Posts: 208 Rep Power: 0	Engineering samples I can get a x800 Pro eng. sample for a really good price. Is there something bad about these cards that I should be aware of? __________________ AMD 64 3500+ Winnie \| MSI Neo4 Platinum \| 1 GB Corsair TwinX1024 PC3200 Dual Channel \| ATI RADEON x850XT \| 200 GB WD SATA150 8 MB Buffer 7200 RPM \| Win XP Pro SP2 \|\|

Dec 1, 2004, 07:26 PM	Thread Starter #3
RVachon Genuine Crazy Canuck Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hamilton, ON Canada Posts: 208 Rep Power: 0	OK, thanks. He said he got it about 3 months ago from a friend of his that works for ATI in Markham. I'll see if he knows any of the details. BTW, He's selling it for $350 CND (approx. $285 US) which isn't bad I guess. __________________ AMD 64 3500+ Winnie \| MSI Neo4 Platinum \| 1 GB Corsair TwinX1024 PC3200 Dual Channel \| ATI RADEON x850XT \| 200 GB WD SATA150 8 MB Buffer 7200 RPM \| Win XP Pro SP2 \|\|

Dec 2, 2004, 12:09 AM	#5
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	Engineering samples don't have any warrenty...( I think thats right) Just do you best to get info about the markings and the numbers on the ram as Z said. Also You might ask what the card is clocked at.... __________________

Dec 2, 2004, 04:00 PM	Thread Starter #9
RVachon Genuine Crazy Canuck Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hamilton, ON Canada Posts: 208 Rep Power: 0	Yea I decided to pass on it. The guy wasn't willing to budge on the price and I thought it was still a little too high considering there was no warranty. __________________ AMD 64 3500+ Winnie \| MSI Neo4 Platinum \| 1 GB Corsair TwinX1024 PC3200 Dual Channel \| ATI RADEON x850XT \| 200 GB WD SATA150 8 MB Buffer 7200 RPM \| Win XP Pro SP2 \|\|

Dec 1, 2004, 07:35 PM	#4
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	Generally the ones ive had are early runs which have overclocked to hell and back. Get him to send you the ram numbering, then find it on google, you never know you might get lucky and get 1200mhz rated ram.

Dec 2, 2004, 12:30 AM	#6
sireric ATI Hardware Guru Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 53 Rep Power: 0	And most of the time, ES boards do not have the latest bios, nor any final improvements/fixes -- For example, does this board have the latest decoupling, etc... -- These affect stability and compatibility, generally.

Dec 2, 2004, 01:17 AM	#7
oxySyzygy DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 50 Rep Power: 0	So is it a risk?

Dec 2, 2004, 01:36 AM	#8
sireric ATI Hardware Guru Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 53 Rep Power: 0	Well, if it's me, then I would use one. But, I doubt I would pay more than 50% of the street price for it.