About ATi 9700... I am really confused.

[TimeKeeper]

I was offer w/ a so called "ATI 9700 256MB DDR AGP card" for $100.

I have yet to pick up the card (until later this evening)
and was doing my little google search.
I can't seem to find any ATI 9700 (NON-PRO) 256MB card.

Is there such thing?

Hyperthetical speaking, what should I be look for when I am examing the card?

Thanks,

 

[SynthDude2001]

That has to be a mistake...I've never heard of a 9700 of any kind with 256MB of RAM. To my knowledge, they didn't start putting on that much RAM until the 9800XT's (and some 9800 Pro's if I remember correctly).

 

[thelanx]

Make sure it isn't a 9600XT or something.

 

[TimeKeeper]

thanks guys~

Any more specific thing I should look into?
I mean I am still on my 8500/9100, thus I don't know much about gaming card.

If I can take out the heatsink, and look at the core. Is there any way I can tell either it is 9700 or 9500? ( isn't 9500 capable of mod into 9700?)

 

[christopherzombie]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

If I can take out the heatsink, and look at the core. Is there any way I can tell either it is 9700 or 9500? ( isn't 9500 capable of mod into 9700?)

The cores should look the same. I think they are both R300s @ 270-315mhz. The RAM will look different. 9700s will always have "L" shaped RAM, and the 9500pro will have "I" shaped. 9500 non-pros can have either. Some 9500 non-pros will mod into a 9700 non-pro if it has the "L" shaped 256bit RAM. This is done by using a soft mod that opens up all 8 pixelpipes. 9500pros already have all 8 open with 128bit RAM, so these don't mod. Google "9500np 9800se soft mod" for a link.

 

[Killrose]

Maybe its a 9800se 256mb/128bit card with TSOP mem chips? Maybe there will be a sticker on it with the real card description. The person selling it might have read it wrong.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: Killrose
Maybe its a 9800se 256mb/128bit card with TSOP mem chips? Maybe there will be a sticker on it with the real card description. The person selling it might have read it wrong.

Reading it WRONG is the KEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The card is actually 9000 64MB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He said, his friend sold him 9700 with 256MB and there is user manual to prove it!!!

Apparently, he got screwed. And I am NOT exactly that dumb to know that either 9500/9700 will require HSF. Poor guy~

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: Killrose
Maybe its a 9800se 256mb/128bit card with TSOP mem chips? Maybe there will be a sticker on it with the real card description. The person selling it might have read it wrong.

Reading it WRONG is the KEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The card is actually 9000 64MB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He said, his friend sold him 9700 with 256MB and there is user manual to prove it!!!

Apparently, he got screwed. And I am NOT exactly that dumb to know that either 9500/9700 will require HSF. Poor guy~

Ouch ouch.

 

[NightTrain]

Some "friend".