HIS X1900 XT IceQ3 512MB

[whoster69]

I'm getting ready to upgrade to a new PC. I've been looking at the 7900 GT and the X1900 XT. I'm seriously thinking of buying the HIS X1900 XT IceQ3 512MB. It's only about $70 more than the 7900 GT, is faster and comes with double the RAM. I've heard good things about the ICeQ3 running cooler and quieter than the stock X1900 XT's too. I don't have any experience with HIS (never heard of them), so I'd like people's opinions on HIS. If you know anything about HIS, please post.

Thanks.

 

[CP5670]

I think the cards are okay, but from what I've heard the company has essentially no support and will not accept RMAs directly. Stick with Newegg if you want to buy their cards, as you won't have to deal with them at all that way.

 

[nitromullet]

The cards are fine. From what I can tell, they are all identical whether they are sold as ATI or any of the other brands. HIS has terrible service/support though, so you are better off dealing with the retailer for returns. Newegg will do exchanges for up to a year on defective merchandise, so they are a good bet.

 

[whoster69]

Thanks for the tip. I was planning on buying from Monarchcomputers.com. Any experience with them?

 

[Hidden Hippo]

I can't comment on monarch, but I've read some reviews of the HIS products (just ordered one myself) that have all said that the HIS model was very reliable (I read about 10, none had a problem with any cards). It is also more overclockable and runs cooler and quieter than any of the other cards at stock.

 

[whoster69]

That's what I've heard as well (and one of the reasons why I'm interested in it).

Thanks for posting.

 

[Captante]

I own 2 HIS X1900XTX's (1 standard cooler & 1 IceQ3) and both have been problem-free, as well as very good overclockers, also although I've found the noise complaints surrounding the stock cooler to be greatly exaggerated, the IceQ3 is a bit quieter & keeps the gpu approx 8-10c cooler at the same time.

 

[nealh]

Originally posted by: whoster69
Thanks for the tip. I was planning on buying from Monarchcomputers.com. Any experience with them?

CS is not very good..search around..good price points at times but otherwise I tend to stay away...

 

[Cookie Monster]

I heard warranty was only 1 year with them though.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Monarch is crap. Go to the HardOCP Forums and you'll see what I mean. They are overwhelmed with orders so their customer service collapsed.
Just use newegg. That HIS card is excellent. As others mentioned, Newegg will help you out with RMAs so go with them.

 

[whoster69]

This is part of a PC I'm buying.

Unfortunately I don't have time to build it myself this time around so I need a company that can build it for me and Monarch has a good range of choices.

If anyone has any other suggestions for places other than Monarch, please let me know. I've bought parts from them in the past with no problems.

 

[TheRyuu]

Yes HIS is good. Just make sure to buy it from Newegg so you can RMA it with them for a year. HIS's RMA department sucks ass.

 

[Aries64]

Originally posted by: whoster69
I'm getting ready to upgrade to a new PC. I've been looking at the 7900 GT and the X1900 XT. I'm seriously thinking of buying the HIS X1900 XT IceQ3 512MB. It's only about $70 more than the 7900 GT, is faster and comes with double the RAM. I've heard good things about the ICeQ3 running cooler and quieter than the stock X1900 XT's too. I don't have any experience with HIS (never heard of them), so I'd like people's opinions on HIS. If you know anything about HIS, please post.

Thanks.

HIS is a good company, I'm still running an HIS Excalibur IceQ II X800 XT PE in my wife's system. Runs very quiet compared to the X800XT/PE cards with the stock coolers. I bought the card brand-new when the X800 XT PE launched (funny, I never had any trouble finding this so-called "vaporware"). While I've never had any trouble with my with my HIS card, I would steer your towards a Power Color (Lifetime Warranty) , MSI (3 Year Warranty), or an ATI (1 Year Warranty), as warranty service is bound to be more expedient in the event you ever do need it.

With HIS you have to go through one of their distributors, retailers, or e-tailers. VisionTek also offers a Lifetime Warranty, but they only offer the X900XT-X and it has never come down in price, so the VisionTek is hard to recommend over one of the other brands which can be found less inexpensively.

 

[akshayt]

Rather get ATi or Powercolour card and an after market cooler if you want low temps or overclocks. Try to get cards with a min of 2-3yrs warranty, this will help you when you are selling it.

 

[xboxist]

Whatever you do, don't order one from Pagecomputers.com.

Last week I placed an order with them. It showed "In Stock" at the time. My order didn't ship for 4 days, so I called them. They said they had to cancel the order. But now they have my money, and I can't expect it back into my bank account for 2-5 days. Horrible service, horrible experience.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Got my HIS X1900XTX from Monarch and have had no issues at all.

 

[mylok]

if you buy from Monarch you have to pay more money for their RMA service (even if the card is DOA). I bought a MSI 7900GTX from them in June and had to return the DOA card to MSI because I did not pay $50 for their DOA warranty. I just got the card back last week from MSI. Monarch is crap, I would suggest you avoid buying from them.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Get the HIS IceQ3 X1900XT! It overclocks like a champ for me, I'm getting 5300+ on 3dMark06 with my high OC's, all with only a 3200+ CPU @ 2.5Ghz! I can only imagine how this thing will do with a 4400+ dual core.

Edit: Now that I see Capt Caveman does have one with a 4400+, perhaps he can tell us just how well it does.

 

[Ampyxx]

Hey I just joined this forum right this second to tell you that you probably shouldn't buy this card! It's been known to have problems with the IceQ3 failing to spin (defective fans). My GPU got up to 100C today because of this stupid fan! I would definitely recommend against this card and HIS in general--but that's because they have no tech support, and I have an anathema against companies who refuse to help their customers (*COUGH COUGH ACER*).

 

[Roy2001]

Only one year warranty is risky. Should be at least 3 years.

 

[whoster69]

Well, I decided to go ahead and get it.

Thanks to all that replied!