Video Card question

[Agentbolt]

Hey all, need some quick thoughts:

My 9800SE card bit the dust a few days ago. It wasn't overclocked or softmodded, it just died. Newegg doesn't have anymore, so they've offered to replace it with a "roughly equal" card instead. The only cards they sell that seem to be roughly in the same range are the 9600XT or the 9800 non-pro.

Any ideas on which card would be a better option to ask for? Which card is apt to perform better in Half-Life 2/Doom III? Which card is going last a bit longer before becoming completely, utterly obsolete?

 

[Sniper82]

9800np beats them both

9800np 256bit/8 pipes
9800SE 256bit/4 pipes (I think)
9600XT 128bit/4 pipes

 

[Gamingphreek]

Tell them you want the powercolor C3 revision 9800SE 256bit. Then yoiu can softmod it to a 9800Pro.

-Kevin

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Tell them you want the powercolor C3 revision 9800SE 256bit. Then yoiu can softmod it to a 9800Pro.

-Kevin

Is that guaranteed though? Besides if he gets a 9800np with good memory he is about guaranteed 9800 pro speeds.

 

[Gnoad]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Tell them you want the powercolor C3 revision 9800SE 256bit. Then yoiu can softmod it to a 9800Pro.

-Kevin

That doesn't always work. Mine artifacted after soft modding, so I had to go back. But I say go 9800 np.

 

[Agentbolt]

Thanks guys. A few notes, however:

#1. NewEgg is out of ALL the 9800SEs. That's why I bought it in the first place, to softmod it. I never did it though because I was just too lazy

#2. The 9800 non-pro has 128 bit memory. If it had 256 bit memory I'd be all over it, then I could overclock it to pro speeds. That's why I'm not sure if it really beats the 9600XT.

Is there anywhere that's benchmarked the 9800 non-pro? It doesn't seem to have been a very popular card. I can't find anywhere to see what it scores in 3dMark or Aquamark so I can compare it to a 9600XT, which is why I'm asking you fine folks

 

[LordPhoenix]

Or you can buy a USED RADEON 9700 PRO around these forums for $125...
Or shoot for a used RADEON 9800 PRO for $150-160

 

[Agentbolt]

Actually NewEgg doesn't want to issue a refund, and I can see their side of it. The card is almost a year old. I'm not trying to screw them, they want to replace it with another card they sell and I think that's fair. So buying a card here is an excellent idea, and if I was able to do so I would. Thanks for the thought.

 

[Sniper82]

Which 9800 non pro is it that doesnt have 256bit memory? Anyway if the 9600XT has 128bit memory and the 9800np aswell the 9800np should still have the 8 pipes open which should still make it faster. I thought 9800SE was the only crippled card of the 9800 series. I thought all 9800np's was just like pro's just down clocked.

 

[Agentbolt]

9800 Non-pro

All the non-pros newegg offers seem to be 128 bit memory.

 

[RussianSensation]

9800non-pro should still be faster even with 128-bit memory since it has 8 pipelines.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Agentbolt you have no idea what you are talking about.

THe Powercolor C3 revision though not garaunteed has the highest success rate in softmodding. The SE's do have a 256bit memory controller, some have a 128bit however that is why you have to be careful.

-Kevin

 

[EglsFly]

I would recommend the 9800. Also, check Newegg's Referbished list, you might be able to find a good card there.

 

[Agentbolt]

THe Powercolor C3 revision though not garaunteed has the highest success rate in softmodding. The SE's do have a 256bit memory controller, some have a 128bit however that is why you have to be careful.

I am in awe right now. What did I ever say to contradict these facts?

I said the 9800 non-pros have 128 bit memory paths. Look at NewEgg's 9800 non-pro stock. They ALL have 128 bit memory. At no point did I say the 9800SEs didn't have 256 bit memory (although some do)

NewEgg is OUT of 9800SEs. If they had any, I'd get one. They don't, so I'm stuck looking at their other stuff. So why are you telling me which ones have the highest softmod success rate?

What on earth are you TALKING about? It's like you're replying to a post you didn't even read.

For everyone who actually made an intelligent response, thanks. I'll ask for the 9800 non-pro.

 

[Sniper82]

First time I ever seen a 9800np without 256bit memory. It also has the old 9700 power connector. Sapphire was going cheap on that one.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: Agentbolt

THe Powercolor C3 revision though not garaunteed has the highest success rate in softmodding. The SE's do have a 256bit memory controller, some have a 128bit however that is why you have to be careful.

I am in awe right now. What did I ever say to contradict these facts?

I said the 9800 non-pros have 128 bit memory paths. Look at NewEgg's 9800 non-pro stock. They ALL have 128 bit memory. At no point did I say the 9800SEs didn't have 256 bit memory (although some do)

NewEgg is OUT of 9800SEs. If they had any, I'd get one. They don't, so I'm stuck looking at their other stuff. So why are you telling me which ones have the highest softmod success rate?

What on earth are you TALKING about? It's like you're replying to a post you didn't even read.

For everyone who actually made an intelligent response, thanks. I'll ask for the 9800 non-pro.

I understood it as you were making a general statemtnt that 9800SE's dont have 256bit memory controllers at all, not theat they were simply out of stock..... Sorry.

-Kevin

 

[Agentbolt]

Sorry, my reply was probably a lot bitchier than it needed to be. I can see how you took it to mean I was talking about 9800SEs as a whole. No hard feelings.

Anyways, Tomshardware.com has a roundup of about 30 GPUS that shows the 9600XT and 9800 non-pro going head to head and it's really no contest. I'll be asking for the 9800