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

 

[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=14-121-501R&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)

Thanks!

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

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.