Radeon 9800 Pro for $239 (new)

  • Thread starter Thread starter John
  • Start date Start date
callsignviper said:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0157390


The model number indicates it might be a "Built by" Ati product. I wonder if
it really is or is some other brand?
Click to expand...

The model number proves it is NOT made by ATI. Here's what ATI says on their
web site:

All products that are BUILT BY ATI include a "102 part number".

The part number on that link starts with 100, and they don't tell you who
made it. ATI doesn't sell cards except in the retail box at retail price.
Any vendor who sells an OEM card without saying who made it should be
avoided, IMHO.

And I would suggest that before you whip out your credit card, you check the
customer comments at www.resellerratings.com. There are more than a few
unhappy campers out there.

Whenever I've seen someone post a deal like that in the past, it's been
followed in a few days by complaints from people who felt ripped off because
they got a non-ATI card that did not run at true Pro speeds.

Do you really think you're going to get an ATI-branded 9800 Pro for
substantially less than Sapphire and PowerColor are selling their OEM
versions? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

And if I were shopping for a bargain on a know good card, I'd go for either
the PowerColor or Sapphire cards at www.newegg.com.
 
To add to Skids comments, did you see where it says (ships in 7 to 21 days)?
That is ridicules... it should ship in 24 hours. IMO I would stay away from
that site.

Randy
 
Skid said:
wonder

The model number proves it is NOT made by ATI. Here's what ATI says on their
web site:

All products that are BUILT BY ATI include a "102 part number".
Click to expand...

Hmmm..........I just checked my ATI (built by) Radeon 9800 non-Pro retail
box and the Model Number is 100-435012. Also, checking here:
http://www.ati.com/buy/pricespccdn.html my model number is listed as what I
have.

The part number on that link starts with 100, and they don't tell you who
made it. ATI doesn't sell cards except in the retail box at retail price.
Any vendor who sells an OEM card without saying who made it should be
avoided, IMHO.
Click to expand...

I did say "MIGHT BE" and "IF" but I guess you missed that. I ran the part
number listed at MicroCenter through the ATI website search function and the
above link was the result. It is entirely possible that MicroCenter is
selling another brand but using the ATI product number incorrectly. A phone
call to them *MIGHT* reveal the true manufacturer.

And I would suggest that before you whip out your credit card, you check the
customer comments at www.resellerratings.com. There are more than a few
unhappy campers out there.
Click to expand...

You are preaching to the choir.

Whenever I've seen someone post a deal like that in the past, it's been
followed in a few days by complaints from people who felt ripped off because
they got a non-ATI card that did not run at true Pro speeds.
Click to expand...

Once again a phone call *MIGHT* get the answer about this card.

Do you really think you're going to get an ATI-branded 9800 Pro for
substantially less than Sapphire and PowerColor are selling their OEM
versions? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Click to expand...

Maybe. In my area the ATI-branded 9800 Pro is down to $299.99 in local
retail stores. About 3 weeks ago I paid $199.99 for my ATI-branded 9800
non-Pro. The prices on these 2 models have dropped a fair amount in the last
2 months. Based on those price drops $239.99 is a slight possibility but
would need to be verified and that is why I said: "I wonder if it really is
or is some other brand?"


--
callsignviper


The truth is out there. You just have to look in the right places and ask
the right questions.
 
The site I ordered my 9800 Pro (built by ATI) from lists the same 100- part
number as the site John posted. Though I think I'd be willing to pay a bit
more to a reliable site that ships somewhat quicker than 1-3 weeks.
 
Stephen Chu said:
ATI's own store lists an 100- product number which is exactly the same
as the one in MicroCenter:
Click to expand...

Very interesting, especially when plugging that same number into ATI's own
product identification search utility says it's not a valid part number.

I stand corrected on that point. But I still wouldn't touch that vendor or
that card with a 10-foot-pole.
 
The model number proves it is NOT made by ATI. Here's what ATI says on their
ATI's own store lists an 100- product number which is exactly the same
as the one in MicroCenter:

<http://buy.ati.com/shopati/product.asp?category=AP&part_no=100-43500
2+US&find%5Fcategory=AP&find%5Fdescription=Products&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=&c
ountry=USA>
Click to expand...


He's right, I just checked. The part # on ATI's very own website is
"100-435002", which is the same as Microcenter - "100-435002".

So much for the "102" bit. Perhaps ATI is starting to reduce 9800 Pros
in anticipation of the next generation?
 
Just saw this. Not too shabby...

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0157390
Click to expand...

Having read the other posters, I agree with them. My purchase of a
9800SE ended in tears. If it looks too good to be true then it
probably isn't true. Find a safer retailer near the price. For a small
saving, you are taking a big risk.


--

Julian Richards
julian-richards "at" ntlworld.com

Usenet is how from the comfort of your own living room, you can converse
with people that you would never want in your house.
 
Found that one myself on Monday morning 12/29/03

Since there's a local store, I picked up one as soon as they opened.

Retail Boxed -Radeon 9800 Pro 128 MB version, 100-435002 , no BS.

My son called and reserved 2 more that same morning.

Due to a mix up, as our names are exactly the same, he got one of them

for $200.00 as it was an open box missing the svideo to composite adapter

which he already had 2 of, he had never used from his 9500 pro cards.



Keep your eye on Micro Center, in the past they haven't been very price

competitive, but they are now and worth watching.

They seem to be changing their marketing strategy and while I was there,

were bending over backwards to accommodate their customers.

No clue why the shipping period would be so delayed.

Frank


Just saw this. Not too shabby...

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0157390
 
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