Need Some Advice

[2Xtreme21]

All right. My current system:

Athlon XP 2500+ @ 2.2 GHz
512 MB PC3200 DDRAM
Soyo SY-KT600 DRAGON PLUS v.1.0
ATI Radeon 9600SE

I just upgraded my Mobo / Processor / RAM about 2 months ago, but I just came to the realization that I need to upgrade this P.O.S. Video Card. I just got Doom 3 yesterday and it's basically unplayable because my card bottlenecks so badly. So I come asking for advice:

I'm throwing around three options here, and, bearing in mind that I'm on an extremely tight budget, I'd like to get the best bang for my buck.

- Crucial ATI Radeon 9700 Pro (refurb) - $129.99 (OOS now, but they'll replenish)
- PowerColor ATI Radeon 9800SE 256bit - $119.00 (Pray for a softmod) + VPU HSF (I'll have to find a good one)
- Sapphire ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB- $198

Concerns:
- I really like the Radeon 9700 Pro because it's an awesome card for its price, though is the refurb gonna kill it?

- The 9800SE is an awesome card for its price... if modded. I've been known to not have good luck with such things, so I don't want to buy something that will be equivilant to that of a 9600 Pro if unable to mod. Then again, if I *DO* mod it, I get a 9800 Pro for $80 less! I also have to factor in the cost of another HSF, because I'll need another if it does mod.

- The 9800 Pro is, of course, the best card of all those listed, but I'm really not sure I'm up for spending $200 on it. Yes, I know, it's a great deal for what it's worth, but I just do not have $200 to spare.

I just need help in deciding what will be the best card for me. As of now, I'm only planning on snagging Half Life 2 and it would be great if I could run Doom 3 and Half Life 2 in decent graphics settings without screwing up the performance.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Edit: Perhaps I should look into nVidia options? If so, I'm not too familiar with any of them...

 

[Cawchy87]

i would go 9700pro since you are on a tight budget. you will get 80-85% of the proformance of a 9800pro and even more if you over clock it.

 

[usernamemax20charact]

If you can afford to spend $200, I'd go with this MSI 9800Pro instead. They're out of stock right now, but it's a better card than the Sapphire since it's got a r360 (9800XT) core.

The Radeon 9800SE is nice too for the price, but I wouldn't expect getting a 9800Pro out of it (~40% chance) especially since you have not had good luck with modding things. But even at stock, it's a good performer. If you OC it slightly, you should be able to get slightly better performance than a stock 9600 Pro.

 

[Cawchy87]

Originally posted by: usernamemax20charact
If you can afford to spend $200, I'd go with this MSI 9800Pro instead. They're out of stock right now, but it's a better card than the Sapphire since it's got a r360 (9800XT) core.

The Radeon 9800SE is nice too for the price, but I wouldn't expect getting a 9800Pro out of it (~40% chance) especially since you have not had good luck with modding things. But even at stock, it's a good performer. If you OC it slightly, you should be able to get slightly better performance than a stock 9600 Pro.

But why not get a 9700 pro for 10 dollars more that will kill a 9800SE?

 

[2Xtreme21]

*bump*

I appreciate the suggestions guys. Anyone else?

 

[SickBeast]

9700PRO all the way at those prices.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
9700PRO all the way at those prices.

 

[usernamemax20charact]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87

Originally posted by: usernamemax20charact
If you can afford to spend $200, I'd go with this MSI 9800Pro instead. They're out of stock right now, but it's a better card than the Sapphire since it's got a r360 (9800XT) core.

The Radeon 9800SE is nice too for the price, but I wouldn't expect getting a 9800Pro out of it (~40% chance) especially since you have not had good luck with modding things. But even at stock, it's a good performer. If you OC it slightly, you should be able to get slightly better performance than a stock 9600 Pro.

But why not get a 9700 pro for 10 dollars more that will kill a 9800SE?

Damn. Must be something wrong with my eyes. I didn't even see that until now. D'Oh! :roll:

You're right. 9700Pro all the way.

 

[2Xtreme21]

How long, in today's standards, do you think the 9700 Pro will last me? I've went through the schpeel with buying bargain equipment and needing to replace it every 6 months or so. Will I be able to last for at least 1.5 years with this thing?

Also, I'm hesitant about it being refurbished. Will that be a problem?

Thanks for all your help guys. I truly appreciate it.

 

[Delorian]

That specific 9800 SE will NOT softmod to a 9800 Pro with out overclocking it. It's speeds are 325/580 unlike the pro or other SE cards which are 380/680. And thats a big push on the overclock (55/50) at least without some serious cooling. My suggestion is the 9800 SE that's 380/680 & 256-bit (softmods around 85% of the time) which is what I did or get a 9800 pro. Both excellent deals.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: Delorian
That specific 9800 SE will NOT softmod to a 9800 Pro with out overclocking it. It's speeds are 325/580 unlike the pro or other SE cards which are 380/680. And thats a big push on the overclock (55/50) at least without some serious cooling. My suggestion is the 9800 SE that's 380/680 & 256-bit (softmods around 85% of the time) which is what I did or get a 9800 pro. Both excellent deals.

:thumbsup:

Seconded

-Kevin

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
How long, in today's standards, do you think the 9700 Pro will last me? I've went through the schpeel with buying bargain equipment and needing to replace it every 6 months or so. Will I be able to last for at least 1.5 years with this thing?

Also, I'm hesitant about it being refurbished. Will that be a problem?

Thanks for all your help guys. I truly appreciate it.

It really depends on what you plan on using it for. The fact of the matter is that the 9700 Pro is about 2 years old now, it's a good card, but it is starting to show its age for a gaming card. If you are seriously replacing equipment every 6 months, then you really should consider saving up a bit and getting either an R420 or NV40 based card.

 

[Giantsfan24]

Check the for sale forums, there are 9800pros going for 170. I know, I am selling mine for that.

 

[Johnbear007]

I would go for either the 9700 pro.. or a 6800 standard. the 9800 pro is overpriced at this point.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Yeah I'm really considering buying the 6800 or the x800. The 6800 normal will last me for a while? And it's not terribly overpriced; though, should I be concerned about standard vs. GT? Is it that big of a jump?

Once again, thanks!

 

[GeneralGrievous]

9700 Pro. Sources say the 6800s are not stellar HL2 performers.