Got my 9800 Pro now: Observations

[Megatomic]

Ok, so I said that was going to do a clean install but my laziness overcame me and I used Driver Cleaner. Installed the 9800 Pro on my existing WinXP install. Results?

Flawlessly simple install, no problems. It was easier to get configured than my 9600 Pro was.

The ATI Chimp demo blew me away. Even the soundtrack was cool. 🙂

Freelancer is now absolutely stunning. It's like playing a whole new game.

UT2K4 seems the same as when I had my 5900 so far.


So, how should I test this card out?

 

[SickBeast]

Try the far cry demo...it blew me away running on my R9700pro. Jack all the settings up and run at 4XAA and 16X quality AF.

 

[Keysplayr]

If your going to format, what "transision" is there to speak of?

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
If your going to format, what "transision" is there to speak of?

By "transition" I was referring to migrating from the FX 5900 to the 9800 Pro. I'll still do a clean install soon but I'm going to wait for the new nForce UDP that is coming soon.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
Try the far cry demo...it blew me away running on my R9700pro. Jack all the settings up and run at 4XAA and 16X quality AF.

I just got my 9800pro@stock up and running tonight but just removed the Det's before I shut down to remove the 5800U then installed the Cat's after I installed the 9800pro.My initial impression is that I'm very impressed with this card already. The difference in Far Cry is impressive! :Q fluid throughout the 2nd demo, truly a night and day difference once I hit the caves compared to my 5800U@525/1080 with both running 10x7 4x AA/AF. I'm using the Cat 4.3's for now but I'll definitely try the Omegas once I've finished testing stability and compatability with all my games. Call of Duty is about the same as my 5800U for the feel and look so nothing to report there, and@stock speed it scores 19580 in 3DM2k1. I'll test overclocking with stock cooling then see what the silencer does.

2d is very similar but I don't care as much for the CP interface as nV's. Other than that nothing but impressed so far. I'll fire up Halo next and see how it looks. Once I've finished comparing it with the same settings I'll crank the AF up some more. Of course the biggest immediate difference is that It's quiet in 3D mode.

 

[Megatomic]

I just played Halo for about 20 minutes. I noticed smoother frame rates in battles with lots Covenent. I felt that image quality was good on the NV so I didn't see a lot of improvement in that regards. Game settings were the same as with the NV card and both the ATI and the NV cards were at default IQ settings (application preference).

I need to run Painkiller demo now. 🙂

 

[nRollo]

Of course the biggest immediate difference is that It's quiet in 3D mode.

Yeah, I didn't like that either, but you'll get used to it. 😉

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Of course the biggest immediate difference is that It's quiet in 3D mode.

Yeah, I didn't like that either, but you'll get used to it. 😉

It didn't take long for me to get use to it unless 2000th of a second is long 😀

 

[Viper96720]

Only thing I don't like about the ATI cards. That lack of dual monitor open gl support. Getting D3D to work isn't easy either.

 

[Pete]

What's with this ATi lovefest? Am I at AT or B3D? 😉

Glad to hear all your transitions were relatively painless.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Pete
What's with this ATi lovefest? Am I at AT or B3D? 😉

Glad to hear all your transitions were relatively painless.

My next big change might be a P4HT system to tide me over until NF3-250GB Ultra/Socket 939 is an affordable reality. 😉

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Pete
What's with this ATi lovefest? Am I at AT or B3D? 😉

Glad to hear all your transitions were relatively painless.

Errr, just curious, but why wouldn't they be? It's not like ATI is XGI and you're waiting for them to solve driver issues with every game?