Conclusion:

The Sapphire Radeon HD7730 1GB GDDR5 video card takes some of the latest technology found in the higher end cards and delivers it to users not interested in spending big bucks on just a video card. Casual gamers, home theater PC enthusiasts, and desktop users could all make good use of this card - and given the compact size and onboard availability of VGA, DVI, and HDMI connectivity - it offers the flexibility to be used in a variety of systems and with a variety of displays.



On the downside there is not much to say regarding this card, as long as you keep the price and intended market in mind when considering it. The review sample did have an occasional ticking sound from the fan that I believe was associated with the power lead touching a fan blade, but it has been remedied and was most likely an isolated issue. Otherwise, the installation was simple, it performed better than expected, and in operation it was quiet enough that you can forget that it is there.

Browsing prominent US based online retailers won't find the 1GB GDDR5 variation of Sapphire's HD7730 available for sale. I did see a third party selling them on Amazon.com, but with an asking price of over $150 (including shipping) they shouldn't be expecting to sell many. The 2GB GDDR3 version sells for around $75, and I would expect that if the 1GB GDDR5 version was to be sold here that the price tag would be in the same ballpark, plus or minus $10. If the price was right, it would be an appealing card, but I am unsure if $75 would even be low enough. A Sapphire 1GB GDDR5 HD7750 - the slightly bigger brother of the HD7730 - can currently be had for $80 after a $10 mail in rebate, and there is similar competition from other brands and other comparable cards.

The Sapphire Radeon HD7730 1GB GDDR5 video card is definitely worth considering if you can find one, and you can get a good deal. For use in an HTPC or desktop that can use a little extra horsepower, it earns the Bigbruin.com "Recommended" award.



Pros:

» Admirable HTPC performance
» Runs cool and quiet
» Low power consumption
» Ready for light gaming / gaming with reduced settings

Cons:

» Plenty of comparable cards available in terms of performance and price
» Not being sold in the USA

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