If you were buying a 9500 Pro today, where would you get it? and why?

[FluxCap]

I am finally upgrading from my 9000 and I think the 9500 Pro is still very good for value/performance. So, please help me out.

 

[Pete]

Check your local Best Buys, first, as they may still have some in stock at their clearance price of $150. That's a good deal on a retail ATi card.

Edit: With tax, that brings you to about $160--not bad if your monitor will limit you to 1024x768 in games. But if you can play games above that, a ~$200 9700 is a smarter buy, I think. Same card but double the memory bandwidth means much higher scores at high res with AA/AF. There's a Sapphire OEM @ Mwave and a Powercolor retail @ GameVE.

 

[FluxCap]

Thanks for the response. I checked Best Buy when the clearance was first announced but unfortunately they were all gone. I may have to consider the 9700 np, thanks.

 

[squidman]

Yup, fluxcap, i was going thru the same thing: either to get the 9500 Pro, or 9700 np...i got 9700, and am really happy. 256 bit memory interface is always better to have!

 

[Dragontail]

9000 to 9500 pro isnt a big jump, to a 9700pro would be more sensible and better value.

 

[Regs]

I buy everything off of newegg.com . Return policy with a restocking fee is the only real down side. Of course you can't beat best buy for a walk-in solution.

 

[tenoc]

9700np would be my choice as well.

Not much more money for a good chunk more power.

 

[FluxCap]

Well, I just worked out a trade with a family member. I give them my old 700 Athlon system with the 9000 in it and they order me a ATI 9700 Pro retail card. It will be here Friday

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: FluxCap
Well, I just worked out a trade with a family member. I give them my old 700 Athlon system with the 9000 in it and they order me a ATI 9700 Pro retail card. It will be here Friday

nice trade

 

[FluxCap]

I actually starting thinking, should I get the 9800 NP at Best Buy for $324 (including tax)? I am sure I will be beyond happy with the 9700 Pro ($308 shipped) and my processor (at 1.83ghz) will probably be a bottleneck anyway? I think the difference would be small and I am hoping it will be possible to clock the 9700P up a bit?

 

[Rewind]

So since the 9600 / 9600 Pro came out, 9500 supply has dwindled, and the price has actually gone up some. Will the same happen with the 9700 np? Should I get one now before they go up because of supply? Cuz $210 shipped for a 9700np (Mwave) seems pretty good...

 

[FluxCap]

It is hard to say, I feel it is a good time to get the 9700 NP if that is what you want. It would probably only drop $25 over the next year if I had to guess.

 

[Regs]

From what other members told me, the 9800NP is would be better overclocked then the 9700pro overclocked. That is just commen sense of course, but how much better depends on the person doing the overclocking.

 

[FluxCap]

I am not much into overclocking of video cards so I just got the 9800 Pro. I hope I will be happy with it.