Originally posted by: CHAOSMAN
so anyone know which card is the one that has 256 bit, and where we can order one? I heard the sapphire but the one on newegg is not the 256bit one, or is it?
Originally posted by: kmmatney
So it looks like the best thing to do is just to enable the 8 pipelines by software and see how things work out. If all works well, then it would be worth it to mod the card and flash to the BIOS to a 9700 BIOS.
In the future it may be possible to enable/disable each pipeline, so only the bad pipline can be disabled...
The Radeon 9500 Pro already has 8 pipelines enabled, so what's to keep this from being a 9700? I thought that the 9500 Pro only had 128-bit memory bus...How do you get it to 256? (I'm getting confused....
Originally posted by: Killrose
Originally posted by: kmmatney
So it looks like the best thing to do is just to enable the 8 pipelines by software and see how things work out. If all works well, then it would be worth it to mod the card and flash to the BIOS to a 9700 BIOS.
In the future it may be possible to enable/disable each pipeline, so only the bad pipline can be disabled...
The Radeon 9500 Pro already has 8 pipelines enabled, so what's to keep this from being a 9700? I thought that the 9500 Pro only had 128-bit memory bus...How do you get it to 256? (I'm getting confused....
You are correct. The 9500 Pro does only have a 128-bit interface. But the 9500 OEM 128mb NON-PRO has a 256-bit. This is the one we are talking about. To enable the 4-non enabled pipes for a total of 8, effectively making it a 9700. But this only works on the PCB that is shared between the two cards. Everone expects this to be changed.
If the software hack works, I see no need to use the permanent method.
Originally posted by: EdipisReks
i think i'm just going to get a 9500 Pro. shame that this mod didn't turn out to be more reliable.
I would like to know the same thing. I was thinking of doing this mod, but with the success rate I am seeing, I think the extra $20 for the 9500 Pro may be worth it. I don't want to buy one now though if the FX is just around the corner, I made that mistake with my current card (Geforce 2).i'm beginning to think the same thing. i'd still like to hold off until the geforce fx comes out though. any ideas on shipping dates? i'd like to see a little competition push the ati prices down some more.