9800 decisions...

[BCSeaMonkey]

I am trying to build a new machine, and I noticed that newegg got a one day sale on Sapphire 128mb 9800 Pro... I am really torn. Should I get an ATI 9800XT (~250?) or go with a Sapphire Pro... etc? Since video card is so important I don't mind shelling out a few more bucks. I don't plan to upgrade again within 2 years, and I am not ready to shell out ~$400 for a x800.

I will be running an Athlon 64 28+

Thanks for any recommandations. Just want to hear some experience and what might be the best bang for the buck.

PS - Ohyeah, this RAM any good?
Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM $84

 

[LTC8K6]

Just wanted to make sure you don't get a "9800pro" with 128bit memory. Make sure it's a real 9800pro with 256bit memory.

 

[ninno12345]

You could always take the chance of buying the saphire 9800 pro and flashing it to get a 9800XT out of it. Doubt the XT will go down in price much. Not that i'm cheap or anything, but I myself am going for the Saphire 9800 PRO and gonna flash it to XT. Save some money there. THE new x800's way worth it for those with a pocket full of cash and plenty to spare. They're just AGP cards tho. See, I look at it this way. Get the Saphire and OVERCLOCK THE HELL OUT OF IT, keep it for as long as you want, then when the new PCI EXPRESS x800's come out, sell your saphire 9800 pro, or wait a little. I mean, as long as the Saphire 9800 pro will be able to play DOOM III and HALF-LIFE 2 without slowing down or having problems, then you should be set, at least for a while. Those are the only two games that i've stuck by since the begenning and the only two i'll be playing till something comes along and tops it, or makes it obsolete. It's up to you kiddo. Never go for the best if your on a tight budget like me, always go second Gen. First Gen is never worth it if you don't have the cash to keep up. Technology is evolving rapidly. Be prepared. :beer:

 

[viivo]

If you're feeling lucky go for a refurb 9800 pro. I picked one up for $175 and it turned out to be an R360 core with the good Hynix memory, so far works great with XT bios. Of course you could get one of the OEM or retail Sapphires, but I think the newer ones use slower memory.

 

[BCSeaMonkey]

Thanks guys, I am leaning towards a 9800 Pro 256mb from newegg, $275 (ouch!).

Is there any major difference between a Pro and XT (speed I guess?)? Will be cool if I can find a refurbished one (cheaper!)... any tip on where to look besides eBay?

 

[viivo]

Newegg is the best for refurbs - you can return it within 15 days if it is defective.

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: BCSeaMonkey
Thanks guys, I am leaning towards a 9800 Pro 256mb from newegg, $275 (ouch!).

Is there any major difference between a Pro and XT (speed I guess?)? Will be cool if I can find a refurbished one (cheaper!)... any tip on where to look besides eBay?

Imho, the extra RAM isn't worth the extra $75. Personally, I'd go for the 128mb 9800 PRO.

 

[bsoft]

I just purchased a Radeon 9800 Pro 128M (256-bit) from Newegg. It's a refurbished Sapphire and it was only $170. I've heard reports that it has Hynix memory (Hynix apparently has high yields on 2.5ns parts so they remark them as 2.8ns parts; "2.8ns" Hynix memory often runs like 2.5ns memory), that it is a R360, and that it is on the Radeon 9800XT PCB.

IIRC, Sapphire manufacturers the "Built By ATI" cards, so their cards are built on the same PCB as the "ATI" cards.

I may reflash the card if it overclocks to 9800XT speeds.

Make sure you get a Radeon 9800 Pro (256-bit/8-pipelines) and not a "Radeon 9800 Pro" (128-bit/8-pipelines). Note that there are also Radeon 9800SE cards (128-bit/4 pipelines) and also Radeon 9800SE cards (256-bit/4 pipelines).

Let's recap:

Radeon 9800SE cards always have 4 pipelines.
Radeon 9800/9800 Pro cards always have 8 pipelines.
Both cards can have either 256-bit or 128-bit memory interfaces.

What you want is the Radeon 9800 Pro, 256-bit, 8 pipelines, clocked at at least 380/680. This offers the bona-fide "Radeon 9800 Pro" performance you have read about in benchmarks. The other "Radeon 9800" cards aren't the same and (in some cases) are worse than the Radeon 9600XT.

There is a Powercolor Radeon 9800 Pro which ships with 2.0ns memory. You can also try to find the 256MB variant, although the extra 128M doesn't seem to make much of a difference (at least in current games).


It's nearly impossible to find a card with a specific type of core or PCB or memory. Manufacturers often change the memory (or PCB/core) without changing the model number. Most new Radeon 9800 Pro cards ship with 2.8ns Hynix memory (may or may not be relabeled 2.5ns memory), a R360 core, and a 9800XT PCB.

Remember, the worst that can happen is that you will get a R350 clocked at 380/680. That's less than 8% below the 9800XT clock speeds (412/720) (even with the new R360 optimizations, a 10% difference is realistic).

A R350 with 128M of 256-bit DDR at 380/680 is still damn fast. It may not be Radeon 9800XT fast, but it's close enough. Particularly for $170.

 

[Cheetah8799]

My advice: check the FS/FT forums for a good used 9800Pro which is a tested and stable overclocker. You should be able to save some money and still get great performance.

 

[azndelite6983]

Originally posted by: BCSeaMonkey
Thanks guys, I am leaning towards a 9800 Pro 256mb from newegg, $275 (ouch!).

Is there any major difference between a Pro and XT (speed I guess?)? Will be cool if I can find a refurbished one (cheaper!)... any tip on where to look besides eBay?

If your going to shell out $275 for a 9800pro, I have no idea why you wouldn't just buy the $250 9800xp (btw, xt is better than the pro).

However, if your going the budget route, go for a reg 128mb (256 bit of course) 9800pro and just oc it. Remember that this will void the warranty (esp a consideration if you buy a refurb).

That RAM is so-so...if you have the money go for the corsair xms (or similar performing RAM from Mushkin or OCZ)