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Another Video Card Debate 9800np vs. 5900nu vs 9600pro

OK...

ATI 9800np - $249
ATI 9600pro - $129
Nvidia 5900nu - $249

These are the prices I found on cards in stock (not sold out with prices subject to change)

Which would you choose and why?

Thanks.
 
Depends on how bad you wanna spend the money. In terms of FPS/$ ratio, the 9600pro is probably gonna come out on top. If money is no object then I'd probably go with the 9800 for the extra speed.
 
AAAAGH! Don't even start. There are two threads right now comparing the 9600Pro and 5900NU, and I don't think I can take a third one. 😛 Here's what you'll find if you do carry on in this:

Budget of $150 -- get the 9600PRO.

Budget of $200 -- get one of the cheap 5900NU cards (~$200-220).

Budget of $250 -- I'd lean towards a $200-$220 5900NU instead if you're keeping it at stock, but all the 9800NP cards have *really* good overclocking potential (and I don't know how well the $200-range 5900NUs overclock). At the same price, I'd take a 9800NP (better AA/AF quality, better PS2.0 performance).
 
Oh god, not again. Of the cards you listed, the 9800np is the best performer, but the 9800 Pro can be had for 300, so its not really a good buy.

The 130 9600 Pro is probably your best bet. Its a solid performer, can likely be OCed a little faster, etc.

The 250 FX5900NU . . . No. Go with one of the Radeons.
 
The Sapphire 9800Pro (the $300 one) is fine if you want to keep it at stock (it runs at 380/680, which is 9800Pro stock), but it won't overclock like the ones that cost $330-350. It's still a good buy for the stock performance alone, though.
 
You might get lucky with a 9800nonpro and get one (like I did) that runs stable @ 443/402 with a flash-stock cooling.

rogo
 
Unless you're on a tight budget, in which case the 9600Pro is a great deal as long as you realize you're not getting cutting-edge performance. Let's not start this again. 😛
 
Originally posted by: Blackroot
5900nu are not $250 i got mine for 177, and it has the good ram and all that.

I am glad you got yours at $177. I did not find that price so what you got your card at is not material to my case.
 
Matthias summed up the handful of threads started in the past week similar to this one quite well.

For the prices you quote, SilverLock, if you don't think the 9600P will be sufficiently fast (or if you plan on gaming above 1024x768), I'd get a 9800 over a 5900. There are plenty of benchmark-filled reviews out there to help you determine which card will perform to your expectations.
 
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