9800xt - Asus or Hercules?

[resoluteK]

Hey, I'm probably going to shell out for a 9800xt soon and was wondering which of these cards can be labeled "better" (b/t the bbATI, Asus, or Hercules cards). If relevant, I have a 3.0 p4 CPU, asus p4c800-e deluxe motherboard, and 2x512 sticks of Corsair 3500c2.

I'd really appreciate your opinions :D

[Steven4563]

asus i like the cooling they have done on it twin fans :)

[resoluteK]

Thanks for your input.. I was leaning towards the Asus too.

After looking further at cards.. I have another question

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=14%2D121%2D501R&searchdepa=0

Would this contain the HL2 voucher?

Thanks.

[jamshan24]

Yep...

[Carmine_Paterno]

My ASUS 9800XT should be here friday.

[resoluteK]

Thanks a lot for the replies.. but amusingly, I think I've changed my mind - that asus 9600xt refurb looks awfully good to me

[resoluteK]

Although.. how much of a deterrant should the fact that I may not get the software/drivers/utilities be? And would the 3 year warranty still apply? (I don't know much about vid cards, but even less about refurb products) :p

Thanks!

Err.. scratch that. The refurb 9600xt at newegg magically went out of stock. :cry:

I guess I'll revert back to the asus 9800xt plan.

[jamshan24]

I would spend a little more and get the ATi 9600XT for $189 w/HL2 @ Newegg. Also, I think CompUSA and Circuit City still have 9800np for $199 but thats w/o HL2.

[resoluteK]

Yeah, I'm a little set on getting an xt because it's nice to tell myself I'm really getting $50 off my card since I know I would buy the game anyway.