Radeon9500np or GF4??

[Sabredan]

Hi all, I need some advice.
I'm going to get either a Radeon9500(non pro) or a GF4Ti4800. They're almost the same price.
I'd greatly appreciate any comments, opinions, etc.
Thanks!

 

[Malladine]

9500 for it's DX9 capability. And because the 4800 is just a dumb marketing gimmick. However, if I were you I'd seriously consider an extra $20 or so for the 9600 Pro instead (gameve $167).

 

[nick1985]

i dont even use direct x...

 

[Malladine]

No? Well, I am of course speaking from a gamer's point of view...

 

[Mem]

GF4 Ti4800 is really a GF4 TI4600 card with 8X AGP support,have a look at the benchmarks of ATi 9500 and GF4 Ti4600 here on all the pages and decide for yourself .



Btw Sabredan,welcome to the AT forums 🙂.

 

[selfbuilt]

The reviews here at Anand (and others) clearly show the Ti4600 blowing past the 9500nonpro with no AA/AF, but quite the reverse with those settings turned on. Frankly, the 9500pro or 9600pro is a much better buy for just a little more.

 

[Sabredan]

Mem: thanks for the welcome 🙂
All: thanks for your answers 🙂

I'd love to get a 9500pro, but the problem is they're too expensive in Spain, where I live. That's why I'm looking into something cheaper: I can get either the 9500np or the 4800 for about 165-170 euro, while a 9500pro can't be found here for less than 235 euro...

 

[Pete]

Get a 9600P if you can swing it. It shouldn't be much more expensive than a 9500NP (~$30 more here), but it'll be much faster at higher res and with AA/AF bells on.

As for the 4800 vs. a 9500NP--as selfbuilt said, a 4800 will outrun a 9500NP without AA/AF, but the 9500 will pull even or ahead once you enable AA/AF. In addition, you get future DX9 compatability. Your call.

 

[pelikan]

If those are your two choices, then definately get the Ti4800, its a way more powerful video card.

 

[squidman]

If enter the matrix is an example of what the graphics in DX9 games would like, then im :shocked; . For real. WTF is up with square wheels? 😀 lol

 

[nick1985]

opengl pwns directx

 

[w4sabi]

i suggest that you sum up your needs, coz this 2 cards have different characteristics.

GF4ti 4800 = better graphical performance (produce higher framerate) compared to 9500np when AA and AF features disabled. when AA and AF enabled the performance are down about more than approx 50 %.

Rad 9500np = slightly better graphical performance when AA and AF enabled compared to the GF4ti, plus better image quality due to Ati's better AA and AF algorithm. plus u get to run tha motha natcha on 3dmark03 🙂.

sooo, if u think that you'll be satisfied by the fastest non AA and AF dx8 card take the GF4ti 4800, but if you want your new card lasts longer take the Rad 9500, at least the card has dx9 support meaning u can still use it to play the dx9 games in the future while the GF4ti surely be put to sleep.

 

[Kaiser__Sose]

don't forget about the driver path that will turn the 9500np into a 9500 Pro or 9700pro depending on which pcb the 9500np has ... it enables the 4 remaining piplines...
a

 

[nutxo]

Originally posted by: Mem
GF4 Ti4800 is really a GF4 TI4600 card with 8X AGP support,have a look at the benchmarks of ATi 9500 and GF4 Ti4600 here on all the pages and decide for yourself .



Btw Sabredan,welcome to the AT forums 🙂.

umm, no

the ti4800 is a 4400 with 8x agp, they are usually overclocking beasts as well

 

[Pete]

I thought:

4800 = 4600 w/8x
4800SE = 4400 w/8x

 

[Sabredan]

Originally posted by: Pete
I thought:

4800 = 4600 w/8x
4800SE = 4400 w/8x

Yes, that's right.

About the softmod... it certainly is an option, but "moddable" cards are getting harder and harder to find. Even if I can get one, chances that the mod will work without graphic artifacts are just about 50%. So I think I must not count on being able to turn the 9500np into a 9500pro or a 9700... even though I might be.