Can I Unlock this 9500 card?

[irenealan]

Hi I found this 9500 card is normally bid around $60 (included shipping). Wonder if this can be unlocked and overclocked to a 9700 Pro. If so then I would definitely jump on it since it's such a good price.

Also but the look of the square shape ram, it seems the card has 256 bit memory controller just like the 9700 or 9800. Can someone please confirm? If so then it's definitely a good price for a 8 pipes, 256 bit card. Thanks very much for all the help!

 

[kylebisme]

Yeah, it is 256bit. As for whether it will unlock, that is completly a matter of luck.

 

[irenealan]

just curious, I also see the 9600XT has square shape memory, does it mean it has 256 bit memory controller also?

so not necessary all 9500 L shape card can be unlocked. Only a specific version? Thanks for the help!

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: irenealan
just curious, I also see the 9600XT has square shape memory, does it mean it has 256 bit memory controller also?

so not necessary all 9500 L shape card can be unlocked. Only a specific version? Thanks for the help!

All 9600 cards have a 128-bit memory bus, I think it's a limitation of the chip itself, either 64 or 128 bit, so they cannot be unlocked, nor will the PCB allow it.
The reason some 9500's can be unlocked is because they are built on 9700 PCB's IIRC< so come with a 256-bit mem bus.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: Lonyo

Originally posted by: irenealan
just curious, I also see the 9600XT has square shape memory, does it mean it has 256 bit memory controller also?

so not necessary all 9500 L shape card can be unlocked. Only a specific version? Thanks for the help!

All 9600 cards have a 128-bit memory bus, I think it's a limitation of the chip itself, either 64 or 128 bit, so they cannot be unlocked, nor will the PCB allow it.
The reason some 9500's can be unlocked is because they are built on 9700 PCB's IIRC< so come with a 256-bit mem bus.

and the annoying thing was most 9500PRO's came on boards kitted out for only 128Bit mem. my 9500pro can reach about 360Mhz, but itll never become a 9700pro

did they build 9500 NON-Pros on 9700 PCB's to save money or something? low-mid range card with a 256bit bus sounds wierd (at the time when 9800pros were king)