Asus or Sapphire 4850

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zanthia

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Jan 17, 2004
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I am looking to buy a 4850. I think I have decided to buy one of these 2 cards.

saphhire 4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

asus 4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

sapphire is 159. the asus is 169 ( it was 149 yesterday but changed when i refreshed--bummer)
the asus has the advantage of being overclocked by 9% according to newegg which is very nice as I will NOT do any overclocking but the reviews only average out to a 4 whereas the reviews for the sapphire average out to a 5. The sapphire also just went up. yesterday it was 149.

I am not interested in getting an open box card either as I will need the cables. Which is a better card. Also I will only be using whatever cooling the card provides. I don't now if there are differences among the cards. I have no plans for doing crossfire as my case is not all that big.
 
The only advantage the Sapphire has going for it is the lower price and probably better cooling.
The ASUS looks to be using the reference card design, while the Sapphire isn't.

Choose based on warranty length (ASUS), brand preference, cooling (Sapphire), or stock OC (ASUS).
I'm personally more comfortable with ASUS and I hear bad things about Sapphire's RMA process.

If I were in your position, I'd go for the ASUS, based solely on brand preference.
Also take advantage of the MIR, and the ASUS ends up being cheaper.

Longer warranty, lower price overall, stock OC.
Win win win.
 
I have the asus and love it, but it is not based on the reference card design, which makes it hard to do any volt mods, pencil mods included.
 
I'm a fan of HIS IceQ cooled video cards. I have two 3870's & really like how the hot air is sucked out the back. I had to use their RMA once. It was very easy to do & turn around time was fairly good. It did take quite awhile for the rebate to come though.
Another 4850 you should consider: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127370 I got a great deal on mine (used), but I am very impressed with the card. You should also read through the customer's reviews for more insight. Basically the 4850 is a great card all around from most vendors. You'll just need to consider the cost & what type of cooler you like best.
 
I also agree with sttubs. HIS has a great cooler, especially when these (ati)get very hot. I was very concern about heat factor, especially when my last ATI with aftermarket cooler suffered from extreme heat and died. My 4850 idles at 35c and never passes 50c under load (fan set at 70percent). here is a review on this card http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=787&p=11
 
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