ATI RADEON 9500Pro vs 9700 non-pro

[merrimackjay]

I was hoping to get some opinions on the ATI Radeon 9500Pro vs. the ATI Radeon 9700 non-pro.

I ask because I am planning on building a new computer soon:

Asus A7N8X Deluxe
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ Barton
2x512 = 1GB CorsairXMS PC3200 memory
Enermax CS-3181L-BBS case w/ 4 coolermaster 80mm fans and one 120mm Enermax fan

And need a modern video card to go with it. The 2 cards mentioned are similar in price and both 128MB.

I can't afford to go balls-out top-of-the-line, I'm pretty much looking for the card that gives the most bang for the buck.

Oh yea, and I want a card that will be able to play Doom3 when it comes out

Thanks.

-Jay

 

[Schadenfroh]

9500 pro = 9700 with half the memory bandwidth

 

[Pete]

Same clockspeeds, just half the memory bus width, thus half the bandwidth. Both are 275/270.

 

[Mem]

I`ve just ordered the 9700NP ,it`s excellent value for money so you know my verdict on which one to buy.

 

[Corporate Thug]

i pressume an overclocked 9500pro will perform quite similar to a stock 9700 NON PRO

 

[rbV5]

i pressume an overclocked 9500pro will perform quite similar to a stock 9700 NON PRO

Until you need the extra bandwidth of the 256 bit memory bus.

 

[TheBDB]

Another vote for the 9700. Maybe you will get lucky like me and your 9700 (Powercolor) will come already overclocked to almost 9700Pro speeds.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: rbV5

i pressume an overclocked 9500pro will perform quite similar to a stock 9700 NON PRO

Until you need the extra bandwidth of the 256 bit memory bus.

when does the 256bit memory bus become a factor? i assume during graphic intensive games???

 

[Mem]

merrimackjay you might find this Sapphire 9500 Pro and 9700NP review(both reviewed together) interesting click here .

 

[rbV5]

when does the 256bit memory bus become a factor? i assume during graphic intensive games???

When in higher resolutions with AA/AF, Here is a translated gaggle of benchmarks with a range of ATI and NV cards..kinda recent. The 9500 pro hangs in pretty good however.

 

[merrimackjay]

Does anyone think video card prices (especially on the 9500's and 9700's) will go down before the end of the summer, or would it make no difference if I just bought one now?

Thanks

-Jay