Opinions on the ASUS 9600 SE/TD ?

[UnatcoAgent]

I am deciding to get this card because of it's price (120 CDN$) and the dual monitor support

But first, of course, I would like some opinions on the card. I have a tight budget so this will fit, allowing me to get my second CRT.

I typically run 1600x1200, when running dual monitors can you run 1600x1200 on both of them, even though the video card is listed with a max resolution of 2048x1536 ?

Also, all I need is the VGA adapter that comes bundled with the card, plug the second monitor into it and configure through system properties to get the dual displays going right ?

This will be an upgrade from my sapphire 9100.

Thanks guys.

 

[LTC8K6]

It will be a downgrade from a 9100 performance wise.

The link claims it has 128bit memory, but as far as I know SE models are 64bit memory.

ASUS says it's 64bit memory.

 

[UnatcoAgent]

It would be a downgrade from a sapphire 9100 ?

Damn I just noticed the 64 bit on the asus site. I don't think that my 9100 is over 64 bit tho...

 

[LTC8K6]

A 9100 should have 128bit memory.

 

[LTC8K6]

At any rate, you don't want a 9600SE if you plan to game at all. 9600Pro at the minimum.

If you aren't gaming, then that SE will probably work fine for you, but don't expect any performance increases over your 9100.

I just naturally tell people to shy away from the cards with 64bit memory.

It's a reflex action.

 

[Zimdesign]

For the dual-monitor support, it should be as easy as you described.
If you do any gaming at all, I would spend $40 more and grab the 9600XT:
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=AA25440

As you can see in my sig, I have a 9600Pro and it has served me well, even in demanding games such as Far Cry.

 

[JJMcKay]

living hell. you mean the 9600se is not good for gaming? that absolutely sucks as it's the best card as far as i can tell for a lowprofile configuration..

 

[Zimdesign]

That seems to be the general consensus... even AnandTech mentions the 9800SE in their latest guide:

We recommend that you stay away from the 9800SE video cards. With the 9800 PRO so reasonable these days, there is absolutely no reason to settle for a 9800SE that, at best, performs on par with or often even slower than a 9600 Pro in 3D games. Don't be fooled - - a 9800SE performs nothing like a full-blown 8-pipe, 256 bit memory interface 9800 Pro.

That applies to all the SE cards out there IMO...