Another RADEON 9800 PRO-based card, the SmartVGA is designed for hardcore framerate gamers. In performance terms, the SmartVGA is only slightly, albeit consistently, behind the Hercules 9800 PRO. It did manage to beat the Hercules in the memory bandwidth test however.
Spending the extra $60 for the Hercules will get you an added smidgen of performance and Raven Shield, although we think the SmartVGA is a good little performer without the need for software enticement.
If you're just after a budget priced, no-frills, RADEON 9800 PRO, then the SmartVGA is well worth a look.