ATI 9600 SE or Sapphire 9600?

[tkruk]

Hey guys....
I'm about to purchase an Graphics card for output to TV.

I plan on using the ATI DVI->COMPONENT adapter, and have pretty much decided to go with the 9600 card.

Here is my question:

Should I stick with ATI's original card, 9600SE which I can find online for $109 or go with the less expensive Sapphire 9600 model which I found on NewEgg for $69.99....

If there is no difference I would like to save some dough. But if you guys think I might have problems, especially with the adapter, it might not be worth it..... Plus I know the 9600 SE does not have a fan (good thing for quiet) but not sure on the Sapphire....

Help !

[kny3twalker]

do not buy an SE card
thats like buying a celeron
they suck
go sapphire
but I am sure you can get an ATI branded version without the SE for much less that
you should be able to get a ATI branded 9600 PRO for that much

[JUC]

I second that. I just got a 9600XT to be used primarily for video out and its great. I think you should be able to find either a 9600Pro or 9600XT for around $125 or so. The fan on mine is quieter than my system running with speedfan set to 5%.
JUC

[phenixdragon]

If you are going to use it as only for a DVR then go with the SE. If you want to use it as a computer and have TV out, then it depends on what else you are going to do with the system. I have a 9200SE that I use for a computer and my DVR and it works flawless. However, it can't really play any games with it but then again, I have a machine with power that I use for that. But something like running MSFT Word or it doesn't matter.

And it only has a celly instead of a P4.

[stanger89]

If you want to use VMR9 (for things like the alpha blended, semi-transparent OSD) then you'll need at least a 9600Pro or XT to pull it off without tearing.