PowerColor Brand

[Ryoohki]

Never had problems with any brand, only a old Radeaon with Sapphire, but that's a While back. I don't really check the warranty since i plan to upgrade each generation (once a year or year and a half)

[CroSsFiRe2009]

Got a Powercolor 4890 myself, the damn thing overheats due to its inadequate cooler and has some weird artifacting going on. Sending it for RMA is $20 to Cali.
Spend that extra $20 on a better brand like XFX/Asus for the better warranty and customer service. (Particularly XFX since they've sent me replacement heatsinks and fans for my video cards so a +1 for them)

@Bovine.Baron, you wouldnt happen to have the stock AX4890 Powercolor version would you?

[bovine.baron]

That's the one, xfire.

[Canzara]

I'm using a powercolor 5850 in crossfire with a sapphire. I've noticed fan speeds are slightly slower on the powercolor, yet it runs cooler....seems odd since its supposed to reference design...but otherwise no issues at all.
This is my second powercolor, I had a 4850 in crossfire (again mixed brand powercolor and sapphire) and it worked great too. I can't speak for RMA since I haven't had any problems.
Someone mentioned the fan speed not working, i suspect that must have either been a faulty card or a faulty series of cards because mine has worked with both cards np.

I generally buy whatever is cheapeast and available as long as its reference. I have yet to have a video card die on me in the entire 12 years I've been building computers..
*knock on wood

[technix]

I'm sure this is a dumb question but I plead total ignorance on it so please give me credit...

How do you know the card is reference design? Can you tell visually?

Is it when the card has that standard ATI rectangular shroud / block covering the card's internals, the pcb etc.?

Or is there another way to know or identify?

[JD]

Originally Posted by technix

Is it when the card has that standard ATI rectangular shroud / block covering the card's internals, the pcb etc.?

That would be the easiest way.

[RBA]

PowerColor PCS+ or Sapphire Vapor - X 5870 for warranty? Pulling the trigger on a purchase later today? Opinions? For BFBC2 and Metro 2033. Remainder of platform in specs will be replaced shortly.

[rapmaster]

Originally Posted by RBA

PowerColor PCS+ or Sapphire Vapor - X 5870 for warranty? Pulling the trigger on a purchase later today? Opinions? For BFBC2 and Metro 2033. Remainder of platform in specs will be replaced shortly.

Warranty wise, both are not good, but if I had to choose, I would take Sapphire, lesser of two evils.

[crazyhorsejohnny]

I had a 4670 and 4850. Never had any problems whatsoever.

[JD]

Originally Posted by rapmaster

Warranty wise, both are not good, but if I had to choose, I would take Sapphire, lesser of two evils.

What's wrong with Sapphire? My RMA for the Vapor-X 4890 was very positive. Dropped it off at an office in Markham, ON (about a week after emailing), then got a new card about a week after. Cost was $25 (for processing and return shipping).