2900XT Brand Difference?

[gurusan]

Are all the 2900XT's basically the same reference design like the 8800s? Are the only things that vary things like warranty length, package contents, etc...while the cards themselves are basically identical?

Reason being I have found a Sapphire 2900XT for 207 shipped brand new, 2 year warranty...and have noticed that HIS and Asus 2900xt's are between 230-260 quid.

 

[Teaf]

More expensive ones also come with a 3 heatpipe stock cooler, whilst the cheaper ones only come with 2 heatpipes.

 

[gurusan]

Interesting, well I could care less about that as I plan on getting aftermarket cooling anyway.

 

[Cuchulain]

More expensive ones also come with a 3 heatpipe stock cooler, whilst the cheaper ones only come with 2 heatpipes.

But the 3 heatpipe one is still bloody noisy.

 

[Cuchulain]

Are all the 2900XT's basically the same reference design like the 8800s? Are the only things that vary things like warranty length, package contents, etc...while the cards themselves are basically identical?

Reason being I have found a Sapphire 2900XT for 207 shipped brand new, 2 year warranty...and have noticed that HIS and Asus 2900xt's are between 230-260 quid.

The Sapphire is the 3 heatpipe model, it's as hot and loud as every other brand but if you can live with it then it's fine (I have the Sapphire too)