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9800pro --> 9800xt

Munky

Diamond Member
OK, so I flashed my ATi 9800pro 128mb (R360) with the 9800xt bios, everything went smoothly, but I'm not sure which drivers I should be using. I tried the latest Omega drivers, and my score in 3Dmark01SE only went up about 100 points, from 14500. I think I should be getting better performance after the flash. Will the official ATi drivers work on this card?

Also, the memory chips get really hot real fast when running games, and sometimes I get artifacts on screen. I'm thinking if I install a VGA Silencer, hopefully it will fix the problem. Let me know if you guys have any ideas or suggestions.
 
You aren't going to see much of an improvement. All you merely do is increase clock speeds a bit, increase memory voltages and clock frequencies, and unlock overdrive and temp sensor.

The increase in clock speed is not THAT much to get a big difference.

-Kevin
 
The difference between a 9800 Pro and a 9800XT is LESS than 5%. Anyone doing the mod for a performance improvement is clearly an idiot. The only reason to do the mod is for the temp sensor.
 
Originally posted by: dguy6789
The difference between a 9800 Pro and a 9800XT is LESS than 5%. Anyone doing the mod for a performance improvement is clearly an idiot. The only reason to do the mod is for the temp sensor.

Ah yes, because it makes you an idiot to want 5% more performance.

Don't be a d!ck
 
Originally posted by: dguy6789
The difference between a 9800 Pro and a 9800XT is LESS than 5%. Anyone doing the mod for a performance improvement is clearly an idiot. The only reason to do the mod is for the temp sensor.

nonsense. the difference between a 9800p and 9800xt is ~10%

BUT you need the 256MB version of the 9800p to flash into a "true" XT; it is mostly a 'waste' to flash the 128MB version (compared to simply o/c'ing it)

and there is NO temp sensor in the 'regular' 128MB version of the 9800p 😛
:roll:
only the 256MB version, the 9800xt (and a few 'special' 128MB 'xts') have the thermal diode.
edited

OP, if you are getting artifacts, flash it BACK! it is overheating
(or get a Artic cooling silencer 3 if you think 100 3 d marks are worth it)
:roll:
 
Originally posted by: cbehnken
Originally posted by: dguy6789
The difference between a 9800 Pro and a 9800XT is LESS than 5%. Anyone doing the mod for a performance improvement is clearly an idiot. The only reason to do the mod is for the temp sensor.

Ah yes, because it makes you an idiot to want 5% more performance.

Don't be a d!ck

Well, he's right. There isn't much of a difference between the 9800P and the 9800XT. One shouldn't expect a big increase in performance between the 2. The OP's 3DMark scores are correct IMHO.
 
I did flash it back, and I would get Arctic silencer before I try flashing it again. But I should be getting more than 100 3dmarks improvement with the flash I think.
 
Originally posted by: munky
I did flash it back, and I would get Arctic silencer before I try flashing it again. But I should be getting more than 100 3dmarks improvement with the flash I think.

i agree . . . . you should be getting about a 3-5% increase (~500-1000 marks) . . . . about the same from o/c'ing your 9800p 😉

the Silencer's true purpose is to exhaust the hot GPU air out of your case . . . . sometimes you can push an o/c just a bit further . . ..

 
Originally posted by: munky
OK, so I flashed my ATi 9800pro 128mb (R360) with the 9800xt bios, everything went smoothly, but I'm not sure which drivers I should be using. I tried the latest Omega drivers, and my score in 3Dmark01SE only went up about 100 points, from 14500. I think I should be getting better performance after the flash. Will the official ATi drivers work on this card?

Also, the memory chips get really hot real fast when running games, and sometimes I get artifacts on screen. I'm thinking if I install a VGA Silencer, hopefully it will fix the problem. Let me know if you guys have any ideas or suggestions.

Was your 9800 Pro already overclocked? I have mine clocked (not flashed) to a 430 core which gives me 10-15% more FPS in most games. I can't remeber what the default core for the XT is... but you may have already been close to it.
 
you are probably limited by the CPU on 3dmark 2001... use 3dmark 2005 or 2003 to really test the increase.
 
Just because the clock speeds go up doesn't mean the scores will. If the memory can't handle it , it can actually lower the score you get esspecially if its overheating.
 
Originally posted by: Azzy64
you are probably limited by the CPU on 3dmark 2001... use 3dmark 2005 or 2003 to really test the increase.

Very good advice actually. Sorry I didn't really pay attention to what test you were using to benchmark. You want something that's more bottlenecked by your video card than your CPU. 3DMark2001 is just going to run as fast as your CPU can push your card.
 
Originally posted by: Mullzy
Originally posted by: Azzy64
you are probably limited by the CPU on 3dmark 2001... use 3dmark 2005 or 2003 to really test the increase.

Very good advice actually. Sorry I didn't really pay attention to what test you were using to benchmark. You want something that's more bottlenecked by your video card than your CPU. 3DMark2001 is just going to run as fast as your CPU can push your card.

Thanks for the advice. I'll try 3dmark05, see how that works out. Or maybe Aquamark3?
 
Both those will give you a little better indication of your increase.

The big thing understanding the actual core/memory speed change from your current card. My 9800 pro was 378 core and 337 memory iirc, I run it at 430/365 which is +13% and +8% respectively.

Generally in games this translates into a ~10% FPS increase. Keep in mind that if Game A operates around 30-50 FPS, you'll now only get around 33-55. Not a huge deal but nice if it keeps a game you love from dropping below that headache spawning fps of 30. 😀
 
Ok, I ran AquaMark3, and the results are as follows, using Catalyst 5.2 drivers:

9800pro = 5040 gpu; 5990 cpu; 35474 total; 10.68 mts, 35.47 fps
9800xt = 6030 gpu; 6022 cpu; 40184 total; 12.10 mts; 40.18 fps

So you're right, the flash did work, and I'm getting about 10% improvement. But I had to keep my case open, I have to get a Arctic Silencer for the card. Considering the card cost me $160(new, retail), I'd say it's a pretty good deal.
 
r360 core 128mb pro version still has the temp. reading - you just have to use ati tool, not the built in drivers
ahh memories
 
Originally posted by: TallBill
or just get a real 9800 xt 256 like myself..

Why would you do that when the 6600GT is cheaper and wins in every single benchmark (save for the ones with AA and AF enabled at 16x12, however it loses only by a little and the game is alrady running to slow to matter).

-Kevin
 
I was gonna suggest using a newer benchie, but it slipped my mind. :roll: I think that your AquaMark scores are definitely in line with what you should be getting.
 
I'd have to agree, right now the 9800xt is way overpriced. But I got a good deal on my 9800p (xt) and if it overcklocks well, it's all the better.
 
Yeah, I think so too. My mobo was actually holding me back some, I have an XP-M 2500, but I can only get it to 2 ghz. I just ordered the Abit AN7, so hopefully I'd get at least 2.4 ghz, that should help.
 
I would return that board. AN7 has all sorts of compatibility and OCing issues. Get the NF7-S v2.0. The AN7 is :thumbsdown:

-Kevin
 
Serious? I read that it's the same thing as the nf7-s v2 only with the microguru chip, which I dont really need. Also I read that the nf7-s uses a thermal resistor under the chip to measure cpu temp instead of the thermal diode on the cpu itself, so I thought that kinda sucks - that's like Athlon Thunderbird era technology. But I'll try it out, see what happens
 
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