ATI Radeon 9800SE vs. 9600PRO?

[EglsFly]

Any benchmarks comparing the two?
Which is better?

I think the 9800SE has only 4 pipelines, but does it have the 256bit memory interface?

 

[modedepe]

Some 9800se's have the 256bit memory interface, some have 128 bit. I saw a benchmark a while back with a 256 bit 9800 se vs a 9600 pro, though I don't remember where. They were fairly equally, with the 9800 se usually being a little bit ahead.

 

[lordtyranus2]

Yes, it does. Remember, softmodding of the 9800SE is possible, though not guaranteed.

 

[lordtyranus2]

I thought all of them did. I just checked out the powercolor website, and if they do 256 bit, I'd guess more expensive makers would too.

Link

 

[Blastman]

I?m not impressed with the 9800SE. The 9800SE fares OK in the 3Dmark?s but was no faster than the 9600pro in the actual game benchmarks. In fact, the 9600pro beat the 9800SE on a lot of the game ? benches . The 9800SE is no faster than a 9600pro but more expensive.

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: lordtyranus2
I thought all of them did. I just checked out the powercolor website, and if they do 256 bit, I'd guess more expensive makers would too.

Link

No, not all of 9800 se's are 256 bit. There are 2 versions made, so when purchasing you have to be careful.

 

[EglsFly]

So can the 9800SE be made into a 9800Pro?
Those benchmarks mentioned a "soft 9800Pro".

 

[sswingle]

Yea, it can. Unfortunately, mine can't 🙁 Mine has the "I shaped" memory, and the ones that can be softmodded have the "L shapped" memory.


Mine was still overclockable though. It came out of the box at 324/270. I can get it up to 400/315 with no problems.

3dmark 2003 out of the box: 2718
3dmark 2003 overclocked: 3213

I'll probably sell it on ebay and get a real 9800 soon.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: EglsFly
So can the 9800SE be made into a 9800Pro?
Those benchmarks mentioned a "soft 9800Pro".

apparently it can but even then it seems to be considerbaly slower than a pro

 

[Blastman]

There are apparently 2 types of 9800SE?s.

9800SE pro?? ? 380/340?. ?L shaped memory configuration 2.8ns memory
9800SE ? ? ? 325/250 ? I shaped memory configuration 4.0/3.6ns memory.

Supposedly the first one can be soft-modded, and according to those benches (on my previous post?s link) it is almost as fast as a regular 9800pro.

 

[GetInMyFatBelly]

What about the A-I-W Radeon 9800SE, I've seen starting to come out?

 

[lordtyranus2]

9800 SE is a gamble, but I've seen near 9800 Pro performance. Once you enable the other 4 pipelines, you can't overclock as far as a 9800 Pro because the SE has an inferior heatsink/fan.

 

[GAZZA]

Originally posted by: lordtyranus2
9800 SE is a gamble, but I've seen near 9800 Pro performance. Once you enable the other 4 pipelines, you can't overclock as far as a 9800 Pro because the SE has an inferior heatsink/fan.

Well that's easy to rectify by adding a decent quality hs/f.
I did find this Place that has the "L" shaped memory but I guess like the 9500np your taking a gamble with the softmod.
[edit] this card is only 128mbit.

This one I found Here is 256mbit with 324core/500mem speeds for $169

 

[EglsFly]

ok, next question is, how do you soft mod the card?
Software? Link?

 

[lordtyranus2]

Software. Use omega drivers.

Link

 

[lordtyranus2]

I did find this Place that has the "L" shaped memory but I guess like the 9500np your taking a gamble with the softmod.

That card had this in its description:
Advanced stability meets revolutionary features in the RADEON? 9800 Series, the only 8-pipeline graphics solution in its 2nd generation.

Does that mean its 128 bit, 8 pipelines?

 

[jiffylube1024]

I would steer clear of the 9800SE altogether. Too much money for a risk that you get a crappy card. Pay a bit more and get a 9800np.

 

[faye]

9600pro is more expensive than 9800se.

ya, a 9800 is a saver invest