AIW Radeon 9800 Pro vs. AIW Radeon 9700 np

[Mr Cherry]

Currently at newegg.com:
ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DDR 8X AGP - REFURB - $288.75
ATI All-In-Wonder RADEON 9700 128MB DDR 8X AGP non-Pro -RETAIL - $290.00

I can't decide which one I should get. The 9800 will give me a little more performance but it's not new, so it might have a defect and I don't know if I get software with it. The 9700 is retail and will come with a software bundle and everything in the box.

Please help me decide.

[mikeysg]

Tough one dude, what to do? What to do? A used AIW 9800P (which could be defective, who's to say) or a brand new AIW 9700P - Damn tough call. I certainly wouldn't like to be you . Sorry, I'm of no help...

[ryandinan]

I'd say it's a no-brainer

Get the 9800Pro refurb. It's faster, and cheaper. If there's a problem with it, you can probably RMA it for a new one. But I think the chances are good that it won't have any issues.

-Ryan

[Un4given]

Originally posted by ryandinan
I'd say it's a no-brainer

Get the 9800Pro refurb. It's faster, and cheaper. If there's a problem with it, you can probably RMA it for a new one. But I think the chances are good that it won't have any issues.

-Ryan

But the refurbs frequently lack all the cables and other hardware needed to utilize the AIW functions. Replacing them could become costly.

[jagojago12]

In my opinion, if you can bare with the possibility of not getting all the cables and/or software then you should get the All in Wonder 9800 Pro.

For me, I'm a bit on the lazy side when it comes to tracking down all that I'm missing from the bundle and trying to replace it with the equivalent hardware/software.

[Mr Cherry]

Is there any way for me to know if the cables will come with it? I plan on using the AIW capabilities, as I do with my current AIW and losing the software and hardware would be a bad deal for me.

Guess I'll have to call newegg.com. huh?

[Un4given]

Originally posted by Mr Cherry
Is there any way for me to know if the cables will come with it? I plan on using the AIW capabilities, as I do with my current AIW and losing the software and hardware would be a bad deal for me.

Guess I'll have to call newegg.com. huh?

You can call them, but it is highly unlikely that they will know. They don't actually refurb the cards, they are cards having nothing wrong with them, that were returned, but can't be sold as new again. What you get will very likely depend on whether the returning party returned those parts, and whether Newegg actually took the time to kepp them bundled together.

[Chuck232]

Yeah, it would be damn hard to find a breakout box for the card short of buying another AIW card..

If you're gonna be using the features, I'd suggest the 9700np AIW new.

[Mr Cherry]

Just saw this on the review for the 9800:

I just got one of the refurbed and it is a great card, as stated by all the reviews. But remember: THE CARD IS BARE. No adapters, no cables, no remote, just the card. You can get replacement cables, etc. from ATi but just be prepared to do so. In fact, you cannot utilize tv tuning capabilities until you have one of the cables plugged into your sound card for audio purposes. Also, although you can download and install Catalyst and Media Center software from Ati's site, you cannot activate the DVD Decoder software without an original install disk. All of these items can easily be acquired from Ati as well as other sources, but just be aware.

Well crap! Looks like I'll be getting the 9700np. Okay, I guess it will be fine, would have been nice to have that extra performance but I'm sure the 9700 will run like a champ.

Thanks for the help guys.