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Good GPU manufacturers?

Associate
Joined
10 Sep 2009
Posts
299
"Powercolor" "Sapphire" "Palit" etc... Many manufacturers, but which are the reputable ones, and which are the ones to stay away from?

I've heard good things about Sapphire and XFX. Powercolor seems a bit cheap and tacky.
 
Soldato
Joined
6 Jul 2008
Posts
4,962
Location
Brighton
Had all makes of cards over the years, no one manufacturer stands out though, i now tend to go for the cheapest unless i need quiet cooling then i look at whats around.
 
Permabanned
Joined
31 May 2007
Posts
10,721
Location
Liverpool
Cheapest card or the one with the warranty you like the best.

All the GPUs are the same, they're made by TSMC and supplied to the manufacturer of cards that have to adhere to a specification.

Plus, I'm sure Sapphire make a load of reference cards that are packaged up and sold as other brands.

Or in simpler terms, Sapphire manufacturers cards, and 'lesser' companies box and label the cards with their own branding.
 
Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
6,669
I generally go for the cheapest card.

Only problems I've ever had with this are that sometimes the cheapest card uses a non-reference design, which is more difficult to volt-mod since all the info is on the reference design.

For most people, this will be a non issue though :p
 
Associate
Joined
17 May 2004
Posts
1,585
I normally go for the cheapest one now............

No point in buying out lots more cash for the exact same card with just a different sticker on it...

This has sadly been true for some time now. The only time you start to see any differentiation between the cards is when wanting to shift the last batch out the door as a new one is imminent.

Look how long it took for the 4890 to start getting custom cards out the door. Only when everyone is expecting the 5870 to launch in a month or 2 and starts to put people off buying the existing tech do you start to get differences.
 
Caporegime
Joined
8 Nov 2008
Posts
28,997
Gigabyte, BFG, Visiontek, EVGA, Sapphire are examples of manufacturers that generally offer good rma support and service. There are others too.
 
Associate
Joined
27 Jun 2009
Posts
790
Location
Preston, UK
I've never had a problem with cheaper companies like Powercolor or XFX, so I tend to go for them. I'd happily pay a bit more if I thought it was worth it but I really don't think there's much in it.
 
Associate
Joined
11 Apr 2009
Posts
996
Location
Leeds, UK
I've always stuck with EvGA & BFG, both of which you pay alittle more for but if your planning on keeping the card for some time it worth it for the extra service if RMA is needed.
 

C64

C64

Soldato
Joined
16 Mar 2007
Posts
12,884
Location
London
If I am going nvidia I get bfg, if I am going ati I get Gigabyte because both have UK rma's I don't want to support company's that cannot be bothered to have a uk rma centre.
 
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