9500np --> 9700np for $159

[davoodoofunk]

i didn't think it would work, but turns out it did. I bought a 9500np at Allstarshop.com here

9500np

for $159. i don't know why it's cheaper than the Red PCB, but supposedly, you can only OC the red PCB because of the layout. Then i saw that the picture for the black PCB had the exact same layout as both the RedPCB 9500np and the 9700np.
Anyway, got Omega drivers here:

Omega Drivers for WinXP

Then got Rage3D Tweak here:

Rage3D Tweak

When i got the card, i compared it to my brother's 9700np, and the layout and even the memory is the exact same. 3.3ns. OC'd it, and it actually beat out the 9700np on 3Dmark. mwahahaha. I feel like such a geek.. funny how you don't have to know anything about video cards to softmod them these days.

PRE OVERCLOCK:
CORE: 275MHz
MEMORY: 275MHz

OVERCLOCKED:
CORE:315MHz
MEMORY:315MHz

 

[Pothead]

most that bought it awhile back were able to softmod. take a look at the forums at hardocp. For 159, I would rather get the retail version from connect3d with the 2 yr warranty for the same price 149+ shipping

 

[akaricke]

connect3d also has a no restocking fee policy.
Glad to hear that yours worked.

 

[gouda96]

compusa was having a sale on visiontek xtacy 9500 pros for $130 for less money Almost the same preformance when oc'd and compared to a softmodded 9500 for less money, and you are certain it will work...isn't a bad deal either.

Oh btw just because your worked doesn't mean it will work for anyone else. They could buy the same card from the same site on the same day and theirs could be a dud and yours could be a star.

 

[Johnbear007]

Originally posted by: gouda96
compusa was having a sale on visiontek xtacy 9500 pros for $130 for less money Almost the same preformance when oc'd and compared to a softmodded 9500 for less money, and you are certain it will work...isn't a bad deal either.

Oh btw just because your worked doesn't mean it will work for anyone else. They could buy the same card from the same site on the same day and theirs could be a dud and yours could be a star.

they still have this? how do you get it?

 

[dvinnen]

Allstar still has em? Most of what they sell are returns of those that didn't return. I was lucky and got one early before they sold all the good ones.

 

[doinmybestatlast]

That's great! I'm glad that your first post davoodoofunk is such a great deal! I purchased the same card from allstarshop and sent it back and took the 15% restocking fee in stride. Its not always you get artifacts at stock speeds. Rather that getting his identical twin I took my hit, learned my lesson and never, ever order from them again.

Just my opinion and my money.

davoodoofunk does your name translate to allstarshop in Outer Mongolian Swahili?

 

[tryanasaurus]

yep, nice 1st post

 

[Mecheater]

**nevermind** found answer to my question

 

[Medicated858]

If they sell a return as new you know its illegal right?

 

[doinmybestatlast]

How can you tell it's a return?

Anyways, just be careful when ordering from retail store posters. I am sure that many of the hot deals originate from the source. Some are good and some...well, some sell their losers....over and over and......over.

 

[Johnbear007]

If you got a return as new and it wasnt marked refurbed that is illegal.

If you dont do anything about that, you are irresponsible.

 

[doinmybestatlast]

Wow! I guess I just don't have the neccessary IQ, or experience to figure when an item has been returned. Of course, after finding artifacts at stock my suspicions ran high. I took my $30 loss and called it a day. It's been a bad month. First this and then SVC didn't send me a $6.99 CPU fan and then saying they sent it. This was my fifth purchase from allstar and my tenth with SVC. I guess if I want good service I better stay with Newegg where I purchased the 9500 after allstar. It overclocked perfectly.

 

[Octivus]

I saw a 9600pro at newegg and it has L shaped ram.

Are there any 9600's, pro or otherwise, that can be softmodded to run at 9700np speeds?

Thx in advance

 

[Ionizer86]

Moddable 9600? Doubtful: the 9500's were the ones that had pipelines disabled in comparison to the 9700. The 9600 was a redesign for saving $ by cutting down on stuff used.