Radeon 9600 XT or Radeon 9800 Pro

[githanis]

I'm putting together a new system so I can do my normal computer tasks (e-mail, web surfing, making some home movies ect.), but mostly to be able to play Everquest II.

This is what I just got:

-MGE XG Viper Mid Tower Gamer Case w/500Watt P4 ATX Power Supply
-MSI K8N Neo Platinum nForce3 250Gb Athlon 64 Skt754 DDR ATX Motherboard w/Audio, LAN, RAID/SATA
-AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Processor Socket 754
-Corsair VS1GBKIT400C3 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 CAS3 Value Select Memory
-Thermaltake A1414 DDR Copper Memory Heat Spreader
-Samsung SpinPoint P SP1614N 160GB ATA/133 7200RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer

This is what I already have and will be using:

-Memorex DVD +RW/+R
-Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 Platinum
-Envision EN-980e 19" Color Monitor
-Cambridge SoundWorks FourPointSurround FPS Surround Digital

The last thing for me to get that I'm having trouble wit is the video card. I'm trying to decide between these two cards.

-Abit R9600XT-VIO Radeon 9600 XT AGP 8X 256MB DDR Video Card
OR
-ATI Radeon 9800 PRO AGP 8X 256MB DDR Video Card w/TV-Out & DVI

Do you think the extra $100 is worth it? Whats the main differentce? Will it make a big difference in gaming in EQ2?

 

[Marsumane]

The 9800p is way better. BUT dont get that one. Get the 128mb version from newegg for $200. Just make sure it says "256-bit memory bus" in the description and ull be fine.

To make this less complecated, search for "msi 9800pro" and you will find the card im talking about. That would be your best choice.

 

[imported_JeReMY]

9600 XT=4 pipes, 128 bit

9800 pro=8 pipes, 256 bit

 

[Vaya]

Yeah go with the Pro, make sure its the 256bit and at least powered by ATI, R360core wouldnt hurt.

 

[imported_JeReMY]

and then you could try to flash it to an xt.

 

[githanis]

Ok it sounds like the Pro wins out hands down. Ok, my next question is this:

Radeon 9800pro 128mb; 256bit
OR
Radeon 9800pro 256mb; 256bit

Is the 256mb worth the extra money (extra $70) for gaming?
&
Does the manufacturer making the card matter?

 

[BW86]

get the 9800pro 128mb the extra 128 isnt worth the extra money. I would just go with a 6800NU if your even considering a r9800pro 256mb.

 

[githanis]

The 6800 starts at like $350 for the 256mb, which is a lot more than a 9800 pro 256mb since its $270. I'm trying to stay around $250 and dont want to go over $300.