128 bit vs 256 bit

ROEHUNTER

Member
Oct 26, 2004
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What kind of performance hit does a card take when it has 128 bit interface instead of 256 bit?
I am looking at the sapphire 9800 Antlantis. Looks like this is the main difference between it and the 9800 pro.
I dont have the funds to spend on a pro . I believe this will hold me over for awhile, but was wondering about the memory interface. I do know the Atlantis is clocked a little lower also. I am sure this will beat out my aging G 4 Ti 4200 128MB.
 

imported_Computer MAn

Golden Member
Sep 30, 2004
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I would keep your 4200 until you can afford a 256 bit 9800. The 4200 is not a bad card and the 128bit version of the 9800 is not that great of a card. IMO it is not really worth it to upgrade to a 128bit 9800. I believe the performance hit is huge. But I'll look around for some benchmarks.
 

Sonic587

Golden Member
May 11, 2004
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You want to steer clear of the horribly crippled 128-bit bus 9800s. It knocks it down to the performance level of about a 9500 pro.

It wouldn't be much of an upgrade, IMO. Try looking at a 256-bit 9800 non pro or the 9700 series. You'll be much happier with either of those.
 

ROEHUNTER

Member
Oct 26, 2004
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Originally posted by: Computer MAn
I would keep your 4200 until you can afford a 256 bit 9800. The 4200 is not a bad card and the 128bit version of the 9800 is not that great of a card. IMO it is not really worth it to upgrade to a 128bit 9800. I believe the performance hit is huge. But I'll look around for some benchmarks.


Let me know if you find anything. I looked but no go.


Originally posted by: Sonic587
You want to steer clear of the horribly crippled 128-bit bus 9800s. It knocks it down to the performance level of about a 9500 pro.

It wouldn't be much of an upgrade, IMO. Try looking at a 256-bit 9800 non pro or the 9700 series. You'll be much happier with either of those.

Yes I was thinking it would be about even with a 9500 pro. It looks like the 9500 pro beats my card in most of the benchmarks. But I am not for sure it beats it by $140.

I might end up waiting and getting one for X-mas and buy a Dvd burner now.
 

dguy6789

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2002
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Remember, the 9500Pro is based off the r300 core, but the card we are speaking of, is an r350/360 core, which is more efficent at aa/af.

Ill run 3dmark 03 with my 9800 pro at stock, then with my memory at half clock, and that should give us a pretty good idea of the performance diff. Gotta download it, so it may take me a good 20 mins or so.
 

ROEHUNTER

Member
Oct 26, 2004
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thanks for the help guys I have decided to buy a DVD burner now and buy a vid card at Xmas as I will be able to spend more on it at that time.
I hope an AGP 6600 GT comes out by then.
 

BFG10K

Lifer
Aug 14, 2000
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What kind of performance hit does a card take when it has 128 bit interface instead of 256 bit?
In pure memory bandwidth limited situations a 256 bit card should be at least 80% faster than an identical 128 bit card.
 

sfmedic

Member
Aug 14, 2004
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If cash is a problem you can get a 128mb/256 bit 9800se. But be sure it is from Power Color. And you have a 50/50 chance of softmodding it to open the other 4 pipelines. They are running about 150 bucks on newegg.

click here.

This is in their refurbs due to them being out of stock on new items. But its worth a look.