Best Radeon 9800se that will Unlock/OC to 9800np/Pro speeds

[newParadigm]

I currently have a geForce FX 5600 Ultra, and can upgrade to a Radeon 9800se for almost no cost
(sell current card for ~$115 on eBay, and buy 9800se for ~$130).

I will def want to unlcok the additional pipelines that the new card will have, and I was wondering what card (brand name/memory configuration) would be best suited for this.

Also, how does one go about flashing the BIOS of an ATi card, and how can I overclock it (I use RivaTuner for my nVidia card, can i use it with ATi as well?)?

Thanks,
newParadime

 

[zephyrprime]

The C3 & c3g variants form powercolor are the best. But the cost ~$150 from newegg.

I don't believe you need to bother flashing the bios with the 9800se. Use Rage3d tweak to overclock.

 

[Cawchy87]

yes, without flashing bios only 4 of the possible 8 pipelines are open.

 

[newParadigm]

Right, but i would want all 8 pipes open 9As this would theoretically give me double the performance )

So =how doi do this?

 

[Gamingphreek]

You get the card download the Omega drivers and then in the installation it wil give you the option for soft mods click the one you want (9800SE-9800Pro) and then finish the installation. There done.

-Kevin

 

[newParadigm]

After i install the Omega Drivers, and softmod the card, can i then use the Catalyst drivers, or do i have to use the Omega Drivers

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: newParadime
After i install the Omega Drivers, and softmod the card, can i then use the Catalyst drivers, or do i have to use the Omega Drivers

Omega drivers. You cant use 2 sets of drivers for one card at any given simotanious point.

 

[newParadigm]

Ahh, so the softmod is not Permanent.

I see, i thought you flashed the BIOS on the card, and then it was recognized as a 9800np/pro/xt whatever you select; until you flash the card back to the orig. BIOS.


Is waht i mentioned "hard-modding" a card?

And waht was mentioned previously "soft-modding"?


I am very clueless about such things.

 

[scaryclownsarefun]

I believe that there is no real difforence between the 9800pro and 9800se. so installing a 9800pro driver should make the card run with all of the 9800pro features. the only problem is, you can't make the catalyst drivers run it like a 9800pro, so you have to use the omega drivers to make it turn into a pro.

 

[amheck]

The omega drivers are based on ATI's drivers. They just unlock the 4 extra pipes (and maybe have some other, little tweeks). Now whether the card will run properly with the Omega drivers is another story.