Radeon 9800SE vs. 9600 Pro?

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breakz

Member
Dec 17, 2003
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I've been considering two video cards for a low-budget gaming system I'm putting together. The price range is pretty much set ($140-160), and I've narrowed down my choices to either the Sapphire Radeon 9800SE or the 9600 Pro.

I've heard comments that the 9600 Pro is actually more powerful than the 9800SE. Is there any truth to this? And can OC push one card past the other with ease? Another thing I'm looking for is longetivity: which card will continue to be good? I'm basically looking to play games now (Halo, FFXI), as well as looking forward to games like HL2 and Doom 3. Any opinions?
 
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Richdog

Golden Member
Feb 10, 2003
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But if you find a 9800SE with a 256-bit memory bus and L-shaped RAM, there's a good chance (50/50) that it will soft-mod into a real 9800PRO with all 8-pipelines enabled. Like mine did...;)
 
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Matthias99

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2003
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Based on reports, I'd say your chances are actually lower than 50/50, but still probably like 30% or so. However, it's tough to find a 256-bit 9800SE for under $200 (and many stores are not entirely sure what they actually have in stock).

And yes, the 128-bit 9800SE should perform similarly to the 9600Pro. The 256-bit version is closer to the 9600XT at stock, and performs like a 9800NP if softmodded.

Personally, I'd just take the 9600Pro, unless you're *certain* you're getting a 256-bit version of the 9800SE and you intend to softmod/overclock it. Even then, it's iffy.
 
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Blastman

Golden Member
Oct 21, 1999
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Definitely get the 96900pro.

256bit 9800SE = 9600pro (in actual game benches I?d even say the 9600pro generally even looks faster)? 9600XT is definitely faster.

128bit 9800SE = much slower than a 9600pro. In fact the 9800SE clocked 325/270 is slower than a regular 9600. The 9800SE 380/300 model might just equal a 9600.

Since that 9800SE you are considering is a 128bit, don?t touch it with a 10 foot pole. Get the 9600pro. The only reason to get a 9800SE is to softmod.

If you want to look at benches ?

http://tech.163.com/tm/030718/030718_103054.html
http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/radeon/sapphire-4.html
http://www.hartware.de/review.html?id=339&page=2
 
nick1985

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
27,153
6
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Originally posted by: Blastman
Definitely get the 96900pro.

256bit 9800SE = 9600pro (in actual game benches I?d even say the 9600pro generally even looks faster)? 9600XT is definitely faster.

128bit 9800SE = much slower than a 9600pro. In fact the 9800SE clocked 325/270 is slower than a regular 9600. The 9800SE 380/300 model might just equal a 9600.

Since that 9800SE you are considering is a 128bit, don?t touch it with a 10 foot pole. Get the 9600pro. The only reason to get a 9800SE is to softmod.

If you want to look at benches ?

http://tech.163.com/tm/030718/030718_103054.html
http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/radeon/sapphire-4.html
http://www.hartware.de/review.html?id=339&page=2
Click to expand...


id like to see the benchmarks on that card!
 
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Blastman

Golden Member
Oct 21, 1999
1,758
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That took me a couple of sec?s, ? I?m thinking what is he referring to????

Ya go for the ? ATI 96900 ? :beer:

Darn piece of junk keyboard, when I try to type fast, I trip all over it.: )
 
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LackCash

Member
Dec 17, 2003
158
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Neither. Get eVGA's 5900SE. I'm gonna get it. $189 onNewegg+free s/h. Check out the reviews on firingsquad.com
5900SE

It is almost equal to the 5900nu, but is $30 less.and it consistently out performs the radeon 9600 XT!!
 
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