9600XT vs 9800 Pro

[prism]

I've noticed that the 9600XT has a higher core speed than the 9800 Pro, yet it's only 128-bit compared to the Pro's 256-bit. Performance-wise (gaming), which of these is faster?

Also, is Sapphire a good brand to buy video cards from? I see lots of people on here use them, but is it just because they're cheaper?

Thanks for any info.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Prism
I've noticed that the 9600XT has a higher core speed than the 9800 Pro, yet it's only 128-bit compared to the Pro's 256-bit. Performance-wise (gaming), which of these is faster?

the Pro is faster by a fair margin. Those extra bits make all the difference

 

[Todd33]

Is this a trick question? Every benchmark on Earth has the 9800 pro whooping the 9600XT.

 

[Algere]

Sapphire is a good brand and Sapphire IIRC makes 9800 Pros for other manufacturers too.

 

[biostud]

Actually the difference in the core speed is that 9600 has 4 pipelines and 9800 8, so the 9800 does the double work pr. clock cycle. the 128 bit vs 256 bit is the memory controller so 9800 has double bandwith pr. memory Mhz.

 

[ForceCalibur]

Its the bits and the pipes that makes the 9600XT one of the most overpriced POS evar.

 

[prism]

K, thanks for all the info everybody.

Also, with my specs listed below, would a 9800 Pro make more than a negligible difference in gaming power?

Athlon 1.34
Asus A7V133
512 MB PC133
Geforce 4 FX5200

 

[nick1985]

probably not as much as you are hoping.

that cpu and ram will really hold you back.

 

[CraigRT]

Agree with Nick there, but to answer one of your previous questions about Sapphire.. they are a great brand, and I hear even make the boards for genuine ATI cards.
I've had great success with my Sapphires and I will buy them again most likely!

 

[DerwenArtos12]

IF you are leven considering the 9600 XT I have to suggest the sapphire 9600PRO. Evenon stok cooling with some standard ramsinks added you can easily pus the core to 450 and the ram to anywhere from 320-350. I have one with a vga silencer with the core at 500 and the ram at 335, it'll spank any stock 9600XT and was a lot less money.

In fact if your interested I can't gaurintee this performance for you but I am looking to upgrade soon which means I'll be looking to sell mine.

 

[jhurst]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
IF you are leven considering the 9600 XT I have to suggest the sapphire 9600PRO. Evenon stok cooling with some standard ramsinks added you can easily pus the core to 450 and the ram to anywhere from 320-350. I have one with a vga silencer with the core at 500 and the ram at 335, it'll spank any stock 9600XT and was a lot less money.

In fact if your interested I can't gaurintee this performance for you but I am looking to upgrade soon which means I'll be looking to sell mine.

I don't know how you can guarantee that you can beat a 9600XT...with stock core of 500/ mem 300. My 9600XT OC's easily to 580 core / 330 mem (with stock POS HSF). But I guess you can post whatever you want on here. Ah the greatness of AT

 

[VIAN]

You're probably better off with a 8500 LE.

 

[jhurst]

I just upgraded from an 8500 (non-LE).......that card is pretty outdated. I would get scores of 9-10k on 3dmark2001 with that card, now am getting 16k with my 9600XT. Quite a difference on the games I play as well.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: jhurst

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
IF you are leven considering the 9600 XT I have to suggest the sapphire 9600PRO. Evenon stok cooling with some standard ramsinks added you can easily pus the core to 450 and the ram to anywhere from 320-350. I have one with a vga silencer with the core at 500 and the ram at 335, it'll spank any stock 9600XT and was a lot less money.

In fact if your interested I can't gaurintee this performance for you but I am looking to upgrade soon which means I'll be looking to sell mine.

I don't know how you can guarantee that you can beat a 9600XT...with stock core of 500/ mem 300. My 9600XT OC's easily to 580 core / 330 mem (with stock POS HSF). But I guess you can post whatever you want on here. Ah the greatness of AT

I said stock, I can gaurintee I can beat any stock 9600XT, I bet your XT could easily beat mine with yours overclocked, however for the price you paid you could get a used or refurbished 9800pro.

 

[jhurst]

Well you cant really compare an OC'ed 9600pro and a stock 9600XT. Every video card can be OC'ed. It would be like saying that an OC'ed 9800pro can beat a stock 9800XT, yes it can, but you are forgetting that the 9800XT can also be OC'ed.

On another note....I paid $110 for my 9600XT. Got it from a buddy, I am certainly not going to pay alot right now for a video card with prices still being so high on the old top end cards (9800pro).

 

[LTC8K6]

Prism, if you are going to buy a card now, I would go ahead and get a Sapphire 9800pro. It will be hamstrung in your current system, but you can transfer it to your new socket 939 system later where it will shine.

 

[Chebago]

if you feel really lucky, you can sacrifice things to your gods in the hope that the 9800pro price will drop in the not-so-distant future.

 

[usernamemax20charact]

Okay. Kinda a stupid question, but what would be the better bang for the buck, a 9600XT for $150 or a 9800pro for $200?

Or should I just wait til next month and see what prices the 9800pro drops to as I'm really in no hurry right now?

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: usernamemax20charact
Okay. Kinda a stupid question, but what would be the better bang for the buck, a 9600XT for $150 or a 9800pro for $200?

Or should I just wait til next month and see what prices the 9800pro drops to as I'm really in no hurry right now?

Between the 2, probably a 9800 Pro but a "wait & see" attitude wouldn't hurt.

 

[jhurst]

Well you should be able to find a 9600XT for cheaper than $150. I found someone willing to sell theirs for alot cheaper (might check Ebay or something). I wouldnt expect the 9800pro prices to drop that soon. If they keep selling the X800 at ~$400, there would be no reason for ATI to drop the 9800 price below $200.