2.0 ns memory on PowerColor Radeon 9700 Pro **GOT IT**

[Maetryx]

Maetryx here,

I just ordered a PowerColor Radeon 9700 Pro board (their name for it is Evil Commando 2) from Monarch Computer. If you click that link you'll see that the first bulleted item is a claim that this card features 2.0 nanosecond memory. Is that possible?

To put this claim in perspective, here is a quote about a GeForce4 Ti4200:

It is important to note that the Ti4200 that I am reviewing is the 64 Mb version. The 64 Mb version of MSI's Ti4200's Hynix ram is 3.6 nanosecond memory, whereas the 128 Mb version of the Ti4200 has 4 nanosecond memory.

.

So if the PowerColor Radeon 9700 Pro Evil Commander 2 really does have 2.0 nanosecond memory that would be pretty damn amazing. Personally I think Monarch Computer is in error. But I have my fingers crossed, because like I said above, I've already ordered it.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Well 2.0ns or not that Rad9700 should yummy yummy. What are you currently packing? I bet you can't wait to be running 1600x1200x32 4xAA and 16tap Aniso whilst still maintaining ludicrous FPS on the majority of games.

As you point out GF4TI4200 cards almost always use 4.0ns (444mhz def, 500mhz tech, 550mhz o/c) or 3.6ns (500 def, 555 tech, 600 o/c). 2.0ns seems unusually fast and the default for a 9700 is about 620mhz for which 3.0ns is plenty (666 tech, 700 o/c?). 2.0ns should technicly do 1000mhz before even actually o/c'ing! However it is important to rem that no o/c is certain and that some RAM manu's are more than a little optimistic with their ns rating, many 4200 cards which used non-hynix/samsung 3.5ns only ran as well as quality 4.0ns. Whatever even at defaults 9700 is awesome ... let us know how you find the card.

 

[Maetryx]

Yeah, I'm REALLY looking forward to my new card. I'm currently running the following dated components
T'bird 1.4
ATI Radeon All-In-Wonder 32MB
256MB PC2100 DDR
SB Live! X-Gamer

I've ordered the following updates
Athlon 2000 XP+
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro (by PowerColor)
two 512MB PC3000 Corsair XMS
Hercules Game Theater XP 6.1
Enermax Whisper 440W AT P/S
four Panaflo L1A fans
TOTAL COST ~$1000

 

[Anubis]

well some of the GF4 TI4600 have 2.8ns memory The gainward does for a fact so teh 9700 havin 2.0ns isnt impossiable. but id really want to see that to beleive it. its fast as crap anyway my brother has one on his Xp 2100 sys. its just too damn fast

 

[Spicedaddy]

2ns ram would mean it's rated at 500MHz DDR, or 1000MHz. I really doubt they'd put that on a 9700 when its memory runs at 620MHz...

 

[Maetryx]

No kidding. Maybe it's 2.x where x > 0 and they just mistyped it or something. Or maybe it's 3.0.

 

[Jeff7]

Yeah, that must be a typo. Powercolor's own website lists the memory as 620MHz. I see 2.0 mentioned as the Smoothvision and Truform numbers, but not anywhere else

 

[Maetryx]

Well, 620MHz is the default of the stock ATI Radeon 9700 memory. The chips could theoretically be rated at 2.0 nano-second and the card might just come with ATI's default clocking. (FINGERS CROSSED REALLY HARD ). I'm going to overclock the living sh!t out of the memory on this card if it really is 2.0 nano-second chips.

 

[Spicedaddy]

The problem is I don't think any company out there makes 2.0ns DDR...

 

[cobrasvt]

I totally believe that this is a typo on the websites part. All Radeon 9700 Pro's that are out right now are ALL made by ATI themselves and sold to te 3rd party companies. If you look at the part # when you recieve it, you will notice that it is the same part # as the retail ATI Radeon 9700 Pro. So far, all the 3rd company products are just changing the reference heat sink and adding ram sinks. I think the Hercules version that is due out soon, if not already, will be the 1st 3rd party 9700 Pro that was actually designed in house. I read an article about this yesterday, I just can't seem to remember which web site it was on, doh! Anyhow, no matter which Radeon 9700 Pro you choose now, you cannot go wrong! This card just simply rocks!

BTW, that is a pretty cool looking box that the Powercolor comes in!

 

[Maetryx]

Originally posted by: cobrasvt

BTW, that is a pretty cool looking box that the Powercolor comes in!

Yeah, that's why I paid the Big Bucks. Man it's hard waiting for new computer gear to arrive....

 

[Torghn]

keep us updated

 

[spanky]

2ns ddr is ridiculously fast. its like when u get on a roller coaster. it goes mad fast... u r scared sh!tless... but it squeezes a giggle outta u. i bet that 9700 will do the same

 

[Maetryx]

Okay, here's the lowdown so far: I got it just a few minutes ago from the FedEx guy. The memory chips are made by Samsung (yay!) and they are labeled like this:

SAMSUNG 232
K4D26323RA-GC2A

I found them with a google search here. Here's some specs for those chips:

K4D26323RA-GC2A
350MHz
700Mbps/pin
SSTL_2 (VDD/ VDDQ=2.8V)
144-Ball FBGA

On a side note, the card comes in a hard plastic carry case with like suitcase handles! Soooooo cool.

 

[Spicedaddy]

Same ram as all the 9700s... It's 2.86ns, I guess they rounded it down.


SUE THEM FOR FALSE ADVERTISING!!



edit- Case looks nice... What color is the card?

 

[Maetryx]

Yeah, you're right. It's identical to the retail ATI memory. *sigh*. The PCB is red. That photo sucks because I took it in low light using my Sharp DV camcorder (which has a Smart Media card for stills).

 

[boyRacer]

You should have seen Powercolor's old box design for their 9700... they still have that bad boy on the cover... but they took out these temple domes in the background... it made it look like that badass guy was standing in front of dick city.

 

[John]

I have had the PowerColor 9700 Pro for a week now, and it's a fine card. At first I was not aware that all ATI vendors (powered by) were using retail built by ATI cards and was alarmed. I am extremely happy with this card, and UT2K3 plays like a champ. The plastic case is a nice treat, and overall PowerColor has a solid reputation.