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9800 pro or wait?

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xiaobao12

Senior member

Hello everybody,

I am currently trying to decide if I should buy the ATI 9800pro (256) for 269 on newegg. I currently have a Fx5200 (128) but I'm just not happy with the power of the card. My question is: should I buy this card right now or wait a few more weeks (months?) for the price to drop (or will it?) with the release of the x800s and nvidia 6800s? Within the past 2 weeks, the price on newegg for this 9800 has fluctuated from 265 to 298 so that is why I am seeking all of your advices on this subject. Thank you very much.

 
I would go with a 6600GT and a TV tuner of your choice. It will probably cost less than the 9800AIW, and will perform much better across the board.

I'm not sure if the 6600GT's are available yet, but they should be out in stores very shortly if they're not. I'm also not sure if they'll have an AGP version right away. I know the new X700's are PCI-E only for the time being.
 
SickBeast,

Thanks for your reply. Sorry, I didn't make myself clear. The 9800 is the ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card with 256MB DDR, 256-bit; not the AIW. Thanks.
 
NP

I assumed it was an AIW because of the price. You can typically get a 9800 PRO for under $200. It's the best deal on the market right now for an AGP graphics card, but the 6600GT will be much better once it's available (so will the X700 for that matter). The problem is that they will be PCI-E, which doesn't really help you.

Buying a 9800 PRO right now certainly isn't a bad deal.

*Edit* I see you're looking at the 256mb card. To me the extra memory isn't worth the $70. My 128mb 9700Pro runs Doom 3 on high quality without any issues. If you're going to spend that much, I would get a 6800NU 128mb.
 
the 6600 gt will be abgout the same as the 6800 gt most of the time, cost less, and use less power so you might be able to use it with your current ps. btw, the 9800 pro uses aout the same amount of power.
 
Thanks for your replies. So I went to Xbit labs and read the article on 6800s. I'm just confused right now with all the numbers. Isn't the 9800 PRO (256MB) clocked faster than the 6800?
 
Originally posted by: iwantanewcomputer
the 6600 gt will be abgout the same as the 6800 gt most of the time, cost less, and use less power so you might be able to use it with your current ps. btw, the 9800 pro uses aout the same amount of power.
Click to expand...

The 6600 GT will be the same as a vanilla 6800 most of the time, not a 6800 GT. The 6800 GT is comsiderably faster ALL of the time.
 
I've got the card you are talking about xiaobao12. Bought it from Newegg. I like it and I've been playing Far Cry and Doom 3 with no problems. I also do some video editing and again no problems. I've had good customer service from ATI so that's why I'm sticking with it. If you can afford going with the x800 xt PE, go for it - if you can find one. If you could find one, the price is often inflated. On the ATI website they sell the x800 xt PE for $499 - when in stock.

Good luck in finding a video board you can live with🙂
 
Clock speed doesn't generally mean much on video cards. If you have $269 to blow on a poinless 256mb 9800 Pro, spend it on the 6800nu. You will be much happier with that choice over any others at that price range.
 
Originally posted by: xiaobao12
Thanks for your replies. So I went to Xbit labs and read the article on 6800s. I'm just confused right now with all the numbers. Isn't the 9800 PRO (256MB) clocked faster than the 6800?
Click to expand...

Yes, but clockspeed does not determine graphics performace. The 6800NU has 12 pipelines, whereas the 9800 only has 8. On top of that, the 6800NU does much more "work" per clock cycle than the ATi card. It's very similar to the way an Athlon 64 clocked at 2.2ghz is as fast as a P4 clocked at 3.2ghz.

You should look at gaming benchmarks using the resolution(s) and settings that you would want to use with your monitor, and then make a decision. Clockspeed should play no factor whatsoever. A 9600XT has a clockspeed of something like 500mhz, but it's much slower than even a 9700Pro (clocked at only 325mhz).
 
Thank you all for your replies. They have been most helpful. Can you guys clarify the different types of 6800 out there? All of know is that there are 3; Ultra, GT, and just 6800. So what is 6800NU?

So, correct me if I am wrong - I get the feeling that most of you are saying if I have 270 bucks to spend, I should spend it on a 6800 rather than a 9800 pro with 256?

Also, can you guys give your opinion on this statement, taken from the newegg review of the 9800 pro (256):


JoeyDee,9/2/2004 12:18:46 PM

The statement below is true for games at average resolution and no fancy effects like AA and AF turned on...Turn on AF and watch the performance on your 6800 fall real fast...This card holds its ground though and the extra 128mb of ram helps alot with new games

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vman,8/31/2004 2:43:25 PM

Hey newbbuilder,
Not sure if you have already grabbed your parts but the xfx 6800 (nvidia) is about the same price and performs better than this card even modded to 9800xt specs. Just a thought...


I also looked closely at the xbit labs review:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...ics-cards-2004_54.html

and it seems like although the 6800 is faster than the 9800, with AA and AF turned on, it starts to show its weakness in some games. So I don't know what to think. My other question is, can I enable AA and AF in any game I want? So if I do, then shouldn't I be looking at the last chart only then?

 
Originally posted by: xiaobao12
Thank you all for your replies. They have been most helpful. Can you guys clarify the different types of 6800 out there? All of know is that there are 3; Ultra, GT, and just 6800. So what is 6800NU?

So, correct me if I am wrong - I get the feeling that most of you are saying if I have 270 bucks to spend, I should spend it on a 6800 rather than a 9800 pro with 256?
Click to expand...

The 6800NU is what you referred to as "just 6800". You're right, there are only 3 types.

To answer your last question, yes I would get the 6800NU without question.
 
9800 Pro is the standard card for gaming nowadays if you want to get decent performance, though it still can give great performance for the majority of games now. But if you want anything higher than average on a regular basis, then go with the 6800GT/Ultra, Or maybe ATI's solution to it, the X800.
 
Ive also been looking into getting a 9800 pro recently. If you dont mind refurbished newegg has a few for about $160, or at least the last time I looked.
 
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