New (Red) MSI 9800PRO

[ysrgrathe]

I just picked up one of these accidentally after the merchant swore up and down that I would get one of the old, green MSI 9800Pros. It lacks the massive heatsink and flange that sinks the RAM. It also is reported as a 9800Pro by the latest ATI drivers and R350 by ATItool, so I assume it also is not the R360 core like the older MSI.

Stock overclocking, I got clock 428MHz and RAM 360MHz; roughly XT speeds. I am sure it is a lot hotter than the older model would be with it's superior sink. There is definitely a heat limitation on OC; I could get higher but after "heat up" I got artifacting.

My question is, did I get taken? I have ~XT speeds and a 2-year warranty with the MSI (8/04 date) so is it worth my time to return it? I'm guessing there are probably some bum cards out there that can't even do this much, so it may not be worth playing the odds...

Thanks!

 

[Megatomic]

Well, honestly you bought a 9800 Pro and you got a 9800 Pro. What would be your grounds for returning the card?

And it is a good overclocker....

 

[ysrgrathe]

For reference, the "old" and "new" MSI's are different model numbers, even if they are both "RXP9800 PRO" cards. The "old" (green) model is RX9800PRO-TD128. The "new" (red) model is RX9800PRO-TD128SP. In this case, the vendor SKU codes were also different.

There is at least one post on Newegg that seems to indicate that they are also shipping the red SP models despite having the green ones pictured on their site. I think the games bundle is also slightly different. (Note: I did NOT purchase from Newegg)

 

[Megatomic]

Well, if the SKU of your order doesn't match that of the card you received, then you may have grounds for an RMA. What is your vendor's policy on this?

 

[ysrgrathe]

I'm sure I could RMA it, and I'm also sure it would be a PITA. Any opinions on whether or not I'm really losing much over the old version?

 

[Delorian]

I suggest removing the heatsink to identify the core if that's what your mainly worried about, else I think it holds up incredibly for a "9800 Pro". Real 9800 XT speeds are 412/365 (730) so you really are doing pretty well if it's stable at 428/360(720) If you are wanting to up the ram speeds and there is nothing covering the chips themselves get some bga ramsinks. I think you still got a great deal though and I wouldn't RMA it, but since they told you wrong that's your call.

 

[Megatomic]

Well, your card is overclocked past XT speeds. And you'd only be losing a few % points of performance with your card at default Pro speeds. So I'd say you are breaking even as it is. If I was in your boat I'd keep the card and replace the stock cooler with an Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer.

 

[ysrgrathe]

Thanks for the input, exactly what I was looking for.

 

[sleepeeg3]

Personally, I would return it and have them pay for shipping, since they lied to you. Performance is not much different between an OC'd Pro & XT, but it's the principle of it.

I'd peak under the core to see if it's an R360, that would at least save you the hassle.

 

[Delorian]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Well, your card is overclocked past XT speeds. And you'd only be losing a few % points of performance with your card at default Pro speeds. So I'd say you are breaking even as it is. If I was in your boat I'd keep the card and replace the stock cooler with an Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer.

Not exactly, the ram is still a tad bit under par

His - 428/360
XT - 412/370

still a great OC on a pro w/stock cooling nonetheless, add a VGA silencer and some ramsinks and you'll be cookin and not your card

 

[CTrain]

ATI tool is not accurate.
It report my 9800pro as r350 too but I took off the HS and its a r360.

 

[kylebisme]

Ati tool reads from the bios, and the msi cards used an xt bios so they could access the extra functionality of the r360 core.