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Brand | SAPPHIRE |
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Model | 100258L |
Interface | AGP 4X/8X |
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Chipset Manufacturer | ATI |
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GPU | Radeon HD 3650 |
Stream Processors | 120 Stream Processors |
Effective Memory Clock | 800 MHz |
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Memory Size | 512MB |
Memory Interface | 128-Bit |
Memory Type | DDR2 |
DirectX | DirectX 10.1 |
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OpenGL | OpenGL 2.0 |
DVI | 2 x DVI |
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TV-Out | HDTV / S-Video Out |
RAMDAC | 400MHz |
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Max Resolution | 2560 x 1600 |
CrossFireX Support | No |
Cooler | With Fan |
Power Connector | 6-Pin |
Dual-Link DVI Supported | Yes |
HDCP Ready | Yes |
Package Contents | 100258L Driver Disk User's Manual HDTV Cable Power Cable DVI to VGA/D-sub Adapter S-Video to Composite Adapter |
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Date First Available | December 12, 2008 |
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Pros: The card once it was installed COMPLETELY correctly works like a champ. I'm using it on an older computer to use as a media server. I liked the ability to hook up to an older HD rear projection tv that didn't have hdmi or dvi inputs. The ability to use a RGB splitter adapter off the S-video is what sold me on this card. I had read a lot of reviews about this card having problems being installed and the driver issues. They're all true. Hope I can help some of the folks with this issues, see the cons.
Cons: The cons on this card are its installation and driver issues. I spent almost a month getting this card and Vista to talk together and play nice. With no info with the packaging that gives any of these steps, I spent lots of time on Sapphire's and ATI forums looking for any way to get this card working. Lots of trial and error. To solve these problems, 1. Do a FRESH install of Vista. (I have a 1st Gen of Vista, No SP1) 2. Do NOT use automatic updates. 3. Make sure you have at least SP1 installed. 4. Install all device drivers except the HD 3650. 5. Install MS Visual C++ 2005, 2005 SP1, 2008 AND 2008 SP1. 6. Update the driver for the CPU to AGP port in Device Manager. 7. Then only use the latest HOTFIX Driver install from Sapphire's Support site, DO NOT USE ATI's drivers or the disk that came with the Card. 8. Everything should be working now, finish your install and install all updates including Vista SP2.
Overall Review: I think there is a problem with Sapphire's implementation of ATI's chipset with this card working under Vista. No matter what I did, ATI's drivers will NOT work with this card. If Sapphire had included any info with this card on its need of SP1 and the AGP driver update, then it would have been a snap to install. I have this computer dual booting to Vista and XP MCE, there was absolutely no issues installing the card under XP MCE, just the Vista install. I hope this helps, I've been using and building computers since the TRaSh 80's and I've never had the problems installing hardware that I've had with this card. Once its running correctly, its a sweet GPU.