Radeon 9000 Pro vs Radeon 9100 vs Radeon 8500LE (128MB)

[Stinger32]

After looking at the tech spec on all 3 of these cards. I am of the opinion that Radeon 9000 Pro is the better card even though the the 9100 is the new of the them. Help me sort this out! Also, with the variation in the cards should I run true Radeon or is there a comparable maker brand?

Thanks

 

[Peter]

9100 is 8500, with a new name on. These two are one generation behind the 9000/9200, however they were that older generation's performance product, while the 9000/9200 are the newer generation's budget models. Both have their pros and cons, in features as well as performance.

 

[bluemax]

It depends on the program, but most often you'll find the 8500LE/9100 beating the 9000 Pro by a small margin.
The 9000 and 9100 have Fullstream support which is supposed to result in nicer-looking video.

If they were all the same price, I'd get the 9100, though I'd be tempted to get a 9000 if I could get it with a passive heatsink but not too badly underclocked.

 

[dxpaap]

good timing on this thread ! I'm debating between the three (having to upgrade 3 systems - 2 kid systems - can't afford jumping to the 9500 :-(

Anyway, two more questions:

1. I noticed there is a 9000pro produced by FIC for $64 with 275mhz core and 400mhz ramdac: this seems better then the ATI OEM boards that cost a few $$ more. Any experince or cautions regarding the FIC product ?

2. there seems to be a $15 diff between the 64mb vs 128mb boards (pricewatch). Does the larger memory sigificantly enhance game playing ? (speed and/ or image quality). on my current system, I'm getting pixelization effect even on the Red Alert II movie segments.

thanks in advance

 

[Zrom999]

The 64Mb is faster than the 128Mb.

 

[bluemax]

I'd be wary of FIC brand.... They're cheaper which means you MAY not get as good of a card as you're expecting.

Apparently there are some 64-bit (vs. the normal 128-bit) Radeon 9100's out there, so even getting the good Sapphire brand isn't a sure thing. I don't think ATI is selling a 9100 Retail, so I'd stick with Sapphire. PowerColor may not be bad... as good as FIC - both of which are a step lower than Sapphire which is ATI's partner in crime.
(so to speak.)

 

[xSauronx]

id rather have a used 8500le...if you look around you can get one with higher clock speeds(250/250, which often oc to retail 8500 of 275/275) than most any 9100 (which ive seen several going 250/200, ugh)

my sapphire 8500le 64 is good, stock 250/250 and ocs to 275/275 easy...right after i got these all their 8500les/9100s started to be 230/200 or 250/200

still a good card for the money, and id take the 9100 over the 9000 myself

 

[Chadder007]

The fastest of the 8500's is the ATI retail (NON LE 128mb version)

 

[Mloot]

I think the only way of getting a guaranteed 9100 clocked at 250/250 is to go with Visiontek. Heck, even their PCI 9100's are 250/250. However, the Visiontek 9100's seem to be a little pricier than other brands, sometimes being more expensive than some of the deals (check the Hot Deals forum) on new Ti 4200's. Recently, there have been some 4200's that are going for less than $100 after rebates.