9600np to 9600pro?

[CyberZenn]

Can a 9600np be flashed with a 9600pro's bios to effectively make it a 9600pro? I havent seen this addressed anywhere, but given ATI's recent cards, it seems to make sense. The reason I ask is b/c a 256mb non-pro can be had for about $130, but the pro version is $190. Thanks!

 

[Lonyo]

Don't get a 256MB card, the extra RAM isn't even benificial on a top end card (9800/5900).
Get a 128MB 9600Pro or something, it will outperform a 256MB 9600-non pro.

 

[CyberZenn]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Don't get a 256MB card, the extra RAM isn't even benificial on a top end card (9800/5900).
Get a 128MB 9600Pro or something, it will outperform a 256MB 9600-non pro.

Right, but if I can get the 256mb nonpro for the same price (or less) and flash it to a Pro, I would imagine that would be even better (unless its memory wasnt rated highly enough to keep up).

 

[Pete]

No--there's no way you're clocking the 9600's 200MHz DDR anywhere near the 9600P's 300MHz DDR speeds.

Pro's are down to ~$150 in the US, BTW.

 

[AnAndAustin]

Yep no hope at all. Here's the specs...

9600PRO (0.13) 400/300 128bitDDR 4pipes 9.6GB/s 1.6Gp/s
9600 . . . (0.13) 325/200 128bitDDR 4pipes 6.4GB/s 1.3Gp/s

The 9600 core should be able to hit 9600PRO speed (or higher) BUT the cooling may not be up to it and rem it is where the lousiest 9600 cores will end up. However the 9600's RAM is the key problem as mentioned above. I'd say you will get 4.0ns RAM at best, that's technically capable of 250mhz (500DDR) but I doubt you'd even get 4.0ns, esp bearing in mind the fact these are entry level budget cards. The 9600 is way slower than a GF4TI4200 which is cheaper and generally preferable, if you want more than a 9600 offers look to the 9600PRO or a good deal on the much faster 9700. BTW 9600PRO tend to o/c from 400/300 to around 520/350 which is a very nice boost!