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ATI RADEON 9600 XT 128MB AGP for $102

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9600XT

Core - RV360
Core Speed - 500 MHz
Memory Speed - 300 MHz (600MHz DDR)
Memory Interface - 128 bit
Frame Buffer - 128MB
Pipelines - 4
Vertex Engines - 2




This is a good deal for a 9600XT, but it's a bit underpowered for the latest games. I certainly wouldn't want to try Doom III on it. A better deal in my opinion would be a 9700 Pro which can be constantly found on ebay for around $130.



9700 Pro

Core - R300
Core Speed - 325 MHz
Memory Speed - 310 (620MHz DDR)
Memory Interface - 256 bit
Frame buffer - 128MB
Pipelines - 8
Vertex Engines - 4


Even though the 9600XT has a substantially higher core clock speed, it simply cannot move the data fast enough with the 4 128-bit memory pipelines and quickly becomes bandwidth starved. The 8 256-bit pipelines of the 9700 Pro provides for a much better balance between core and memory.

http://www.the-inquirer.com/?article=17866
 
I just ordered one today.

The 20% off code worked.

What kind of cards has anyone returned for the trade-up rebate?

I am going to try a circa 1996 STB ET6000 PCI Gateway 2000 pull. I doubt they will care; they did not lay out any requirements so I hope it will due. I don't really want to send in my GeForce 3, it is probably still worth the $50.

I originally wanted a 9800 Pro, but the 9600 XT should be a nice step up from my GeForce 3, and I could not pass it up for $86.

Let hope the rebates come through.
 
Originally posted by: Creig
9600XT

Core - RV360
Core Speed - 500 MHz
Memory Speed - 300 MHz (600MHz DDR)
Memory Interface - 128 bit
Frame Buffer - 128MB
Pipelines - 4
Vertex Engines - 2




This is a good deal for a 9600XT, but it's a bit underpowered for the latest games. I certainly wouldn't want to try Doom III on it. A better deal in my opinion would be a 9700 Pro which can be constantly found on ebay for around $130.



9700 Pro

Core - R300
Core Speed - 325 MHz
Memory Speed - 310 (620MHz DDR)
Memory Interface - 256 bit
Frame buffer - 128MB
Pipelines - 8
Vertex Engines - 4


Even though the 9600XT has a substantially higher core clock speed, it simply cannot move the data fast enough with the 4 128-bit memory pipelines and quickly becomes bandwidth starved. The 8 256-bit pipelines of the 9700 Pro provides for a much better balance between core and memory.

http://www.the-inquirer.com/?article=17866
Click to expand...


Good info. Even Anand thinks the same. 😀

We continue to see that the Radeon 9700 Pro is performing quite well and unfortunately ATI's assertions that the 9600 XT would perform similarly to the 9700 Pro are simply untrue. Given the very low price of the Radeon 9700 Pro we'd strongly suggest buying a 9700 Pro over a Radeon 9600 XT, or if you don't want to spend that much money we'd suggest a Radeon 9600 Pro as the performance difference isn't all too great.
Click to expand...

That prompted me to take the eBay route..Saves money in the short run and extends the life of my card in the long run.
 
The thing is... you can Overclock the heck out of these 9600XT's due to the .13 low-K process. A overclocked XT can almost reach the same performance as 9700 pro.

I think this is a good deal for someone who wants a minor cheap upgrade (say, from GF2 era card) to play D3 and HL2. If you you're willing to spend more than $100, you might as well spend a $50 more to get a 9800 pro on forums, or $100 more for 6600 GT.
 
I don't think there is much question that the 9700 Pro or 9800 Pro is a better card, but for the casual gamer the 9600 XT should be more than adequate.

I usually play at 1024 x 768 without AA & AF. I find Call of Duty, the Far Cry demos, Doom 3 Demo, etc. can run well enough to be enjoyable on my GeForce3. I think the 9600 XT will be a big upgrade, and nothing will touch the price if this $86 deal actually works out, especially for a brand new card.

There are some of us that don't want to deal with the potential hassles of auctions, used cards, referbs, etc. Even at $130.00 a 9700 pro is over 50% more expensive. I would rather use the difference toward a 512 MB stick of ram or a DVD burner.

Anyway, I still hope the deal goes through. I placed the order yesterday, but it has not shippped yet. Good luck to all those who are trying.


Edit:

I just received email that it shipped on 12/30/04, and it should be here by 1/5/05.

Email from ATI on 1/12/05 said my rebate went through and should be on my credit card in a few days.
 
Also, ordered a Radeon 9600XT AGP today. Free shipping. No tax for Georgia. After I send them my antique 2MB PCI S3 Virge video card, my final cost will be $85.20 (plus expense to mail the S3)! People are having trouble getting $0.99 for this card on eBay.

Never underestimate the power of the Virge!!
 
THanx OP...ordered and received mine quickly. Now to send them an old 1994 video card from a compaq for the $50 refund...I like it...I like it alot!!!!
 
Ordered one yesturday. About $135 no shipping and no tax for Washingtion. After the $50 rebate a steal.

Already have both the 9700 Pro and this card in our 2 computers. They are both NF2 XP2500 OC to 3200. We play all the games HL2, Farcry, Call of Duty, and HALO etc. The 9700 Pro is better, but the 9600XT does very well. I would say that Halo is the one I notice the largest differance. HL2 is great with the 9600XT BTW.

Bottom line the kids have not complained about the 9600XT in the other computer. Have had that problem before. That is our cue for upgrades here. Hope this helps those that wonder.

Bought this for the ex's computer so the kids can now play games when over there. For under a $100 this is a great deal. Thanks!!
 
I sent my old Viper in last Friday and I got an email yesterday that my $50 credit had been processed! That's the fastest turnaround on something like this I 've ever experienced.
 
I'm still running my Geforce 4 TI4600. How does the 9600XT stack up against my card? I can never find any benchmarks between the new cards and the older Nvidia cards to get an idea of relative performance. My 4600 has been handling all the games I've thrown at it. I haven't been playing any of the new games with DirectX 9 support though so it may be a little slow on the new ones, ie Half Life 2, Doom 3. I'm looking to get the new Battlefield 2 in March or whenever they release it and I'm thinking it might be time to upgrade from the Geforce 4. I believe the specs call for GeForce FX 128mb or better. Is this card in the same class as the Geforce FX?
 
Tom's VGA Charts has some benchmarks comparing a wide range of video cards, including the Ti 4600 and 9600XT. The 4600 is comparable to the 9600XT in most benchmarks w/o AA or AF on. I'd just save your bucks and pick up a used 9700 Pro or better, that would be a more noticable performance increase over the 4600.
 
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