Powercolor's 9800se >> 9800pro softmod success rate?

[xenolith]

By reading newegg's feedback on these Powercolor 9800se "R98SE-C3" cards they've been having a very good success rate for softmoding to a 9800pro. 9/9 reviewers had success. Higher than the 9500 >> 9700 softmod, if I recall.

Anybody here have good or bad luck with this softmod?

 

[Hav0k99]

best thing to do is buy it and try it. There is someone on the For Sale/ Trade forums that is selling one he had success with.

 

[Slick5150]

I bought one and thought I was one of the unlucky ones who couldn't mod it as I was having major problems..

Then I realized I was even more unlucky because even with the regular drivers the same problems were existing, so there was obviously something wrong with the card. So, it's on it's way back to Newegg for a replacement.

 

[xenolith]

PinwiZ, sounds like my luck.

I tell yah, this is very temping to buy. But again with my terrible luck I'll get the one or two out of a hundred that won't softmod.

 

[Gagabiji]

Dude I didn't know you could softmod a 9800se to Pro. That's cool, i'm going to check out newegg right now!

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: SirDude
Dude I didn't know you could softmod a 9800se to Pro. That's cool, i'm going to check out newegg right now!

You can't with any 9800se. The early ones were built on a 9800 PRO PCB and has 256bit memory. Those can be softmodded to a 9800PRO (with about 50% success). They are now built on a different PCB with only 128bit memory and only 4 pipelines, so they cannot be modded.

The easy way to tell the difference is the modable ones will have the "L" shapes memory configuration (2 mem chips on top of the card, 2 off to the side). The newer ones have all 4 in a row at the top.

Newegg has the Powercolor 256bit 9800SE for sale right now that is possible to mod, and that's the one people are tlaking about on here. But you can't just get any 9800se

 

[Todd33]

You are tied to Omegacorner drivers then? How are they different from the official release?

Edit: "Based on the Official Catalyst 4.2 drivers. (2k/XP/9x/ME)"

What happens if they drop support, back to 9800SE I guess?

 

[bandana163]

Only 256bit 4 pipeline cards can be turned into 9800pros. Sapphire SE cards are almost purely 128bit ones, for example.
If you can find the right card, the success rate is roughly 50-55%.
As far as I know, the Hercules AIW 9800SE has the best chance, about 60-70%. It used to be quite popular.
Keep in mind, that even in case all pipelines work, they have a good chance of not being perfect, which results in artifacts on screen.

I see you are in America. A Sapphire 9800pro woudn't be much more expensive, I'd consider that one as well.

 

[kylebisme]

Originally posted by: PinwiZ
They are now built on a different PCB with only 128bit memory and only 4 pipelines, so they cannot be modded.

those can still be moded too, just only to a 8-pipe 128bit bus card. you have basicly a super 9500pro if the chip takes the mod.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: Todd33
You are tied to Omegacorner drivers then? How are they different from the official release?

Edit: "Based on the Official Catalyst 4.2 drivers. (2k/XP/9x/ME)"

What happens if they drop support, back to 9800SE I guess?

Not necessarily, the Omega drivers just make it easy.

You can also use Rivatuner to modify the official ATI drivers before you install them, and unlock the other 4 pipelines that way. The Omega drivers just already have that done (if you tell it during the install process that you want it to)

 

[xenolith]

Originally posted by: Vaerilis
If you can find the right card, the success rate is roughly 50-55%.

50-55%!? That's too low. I think I'll pass then...

 

[Shimmishim]

you're better off with a pro for 50 bucks more!

sapphire 9800 pro

i already asked over at xtreme and those guys said i should get a pro