• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Would you buy a radeon 9800 pro for $179.99 ?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: MichaelD
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: MichaelD
Originally posted by: Naustica
Originally posted by: MichaelD
Originally posted by: SirDude
Originally posted by: Caminetto

If your card is Sapphire 9800 NP with Samsung 3.3 ns memory, you can definitely flash the card with Pro bios and hit pro speeds. My Sapphire with Samsung memory wouldn't overclock to Pro level either until I flashed it. Pretty much every 9800 NP w/ Samsung memory hit Pro speed or higher when flashed. Now if you have Infineon memory you're out of luck. Those don't overclock worth anything and are dangerous to flash.

If you have Samsung memory feel free to flash to Pro bios.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I appreciate the testimonial. However, if it won't hit "speed XYZ" when overclocked, there's no reason to assume it'll hit "speed XYz" w/a new bios. 🙁 I don't want to fry my card. In fact, I've read to test your card by overclocking first to see if your card can hit the speeds. If you can't hit them, flashing isn't a good idea.
Click to expand...

Almost all 9800 NP will NOT hit Pro memory speed before the bios flash. The bios flash gives more volt (maybe) and relaxes the memory timing (definitely) so that the memory will hit Pro speed. Trust me you won't fry your card. As long as you flash it with proper bios and flash software you will not have any problem with that Samsung memory. If you decide you don't like the Pro bios you can always flash it back to NP bios.

I sold my flashed 9800 while back. I now have 5900 NU. I flashed this card with 5950U bios. This card didn't hit Ultra level before the flash either. I would get severe artifacts when overclocked not even close to Ultra level. After the flash, no more artifacts and I can overclock even way past Ultra level.
Click to expand...


Would you happen to have any links to the proper BIOS and flash utility?
Click to expand...

START HERE: The Radeon 9800 Pro To Radeon 9800XT Mod Guide Rev. 3.0! EVERYONE ingnored this thread when i posted it last week. Worth a read. :roll:
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Thanks, apoppin. I actually read that thread but didn't post since I don't own one of them fine, fine 256mb cards. At this point, I need to upgrade platforms to see any major improvements. If I can get a little more out of this videocard, I'd be happy.
 
if I had something worse, hell yeah!
infact, I did do a similar thing
got a good deal on a 9800 Pro... got a good deal on selling my 9700 Pro!
not much of an upgrade, but very cheap 😀
 
Originally posted by: MichaelD
Thanks, apoppin. I actually read that thread but didn't post since I don't own one of them fine, fine 256mb cards. At this point, I need to upgrade platforms to see any major improvements. If I can get a little more out of this videocard, I'd be happy.
Click to expand...
You're welcome. That was one of the most UNDERrated thread i have ever posted . . . 😉 Could save fanATIcs a LOT of $$. 😉

Well, that article has a LOT more than upgrading the 256 version . . . it has a lot about the 128MB version also . . . evidently the Asus card is the best o/c'er with a good - unlike the crappy Powercolor or Sapphire - HS.

To actually get a good o/c, you need to upgrade the HS also.
 
I found this page. which is really cool. It's also got other pages w/the utilities and such. Going to go look for the instructions.

I dont' have a modified HS, but my case has decent cooling.

I just realized that my current OC of 370/330 is darn close to pro speeds.

I remember reading the "dubunked" myth that the Pro bios upps the voltages...whatever. I'll make sure I back up the old bios on the floppy before I flash.

If worse comes to worst, I've got my 4200ti POS. :roll: :Q
 
Originally posted by: MichaelD
I found this page. which is really cool. It's also got other pages w/the utilities and such. Going to go look for the instructions.

I dont' have a modified HS, but my case has decent cooling.

I just realized that my current OC of 370/330 is darn close to pro speeds.

I remember reading the "dubunked" myth that the Pro bios upps the voltages...whatever. I'll make sure I back up the old bios on the floppy before I flash.

If worse comes to worst, I've got my 4200ti POS. :roll: :Q
Click to expand...
Good luck . . .

actually the BIOS flash is NOT risky if you do the proper research and are prepared to reflash it back . . . even if you completely screw up, the link i posted shows how to boot together with a PCI videocard (in addition to the screwed AGP one) to REflash it back . . .

IF i don't get my 6800U (or x800xt), i just may get a(n Asus) 9800Pro-256 and flash it into a 9800XT . . . should be a relatively cheap inbetween solution . . . 😉

Let us know how your's goes . . .
 
179.99 is a good deal, i just bought one from compusa a week or two ago when they had a sale for it for 199.99, i just couldnt wait for fry's to have another sale again. it's a much better value than buying a 9800xt, and i havent seen the x800 prices or specs yet, but i can imagine it to cost a lot. unless you absolutely have to have the best, then get this card, it will work fine for many games to come.

its not like they make new games assuming everyone is going to have the most top of the line software.
 
Originally posted by: apoppin
Originally posted by: MichaelD
Things didn't go too well. See this thread. 🙁

The card is fine though.
Click to expand...
the memory was probably the limiting factor . . . i guess you didn't try to underclock it a bit to see where artifacting stopped . . . still, the flash wasn't 9really too) risky and you are still ok . . .

NOW you might try overclocking it a bit to see where your memory (or core) craps out.
Click to expand...

Hey there,

The memory consistenly craps out at 375MHz. You get tearing and sh1t all over the screen. 🙁 Ironically, at 370MHz, you can loop 3DM all damn day and it's just peachy. :disgust:
 
That's usually the way ram works . . . unless you can mod the voltage you're stuck there . . .

however, it's not a bad place (gamingwise) to be "stuck" at. 😉

I am beginning to wonder if we really NEED anything more powerful than a 9800 for '04/'05 games. :Q

EDIT: To actually answer the original poster's question . . . maybe

If i could wait, i'd hold out for the 256MB version of the Pro - it IS an XT after a BIOS flash and HS upgrade . . . the more i think about it, the idea of saving $350 seems 'attractive'. 😉
 
Heh, I bought this card a year ago and paid $240 for it from Newegg. It was quite the deal back then. Most folks got this card to run at Pro speeds w/little fuss; OTOH, I did not.

I've been around long enough to know the rest of my rig (i.e. the PS) is just fine. It's the card. 🙁

But like you said, it's "not a bad place to be stuck at" 🙂 95% of a 9800 Pro is nothing to sneeze at.
 
You replied before i could post my edit -



To actually answer the original poster's question . . . maybe

If i could wait, i'd hold out for the 256MB version of the Pro - it IS an XT after a BIOS flash and HS upgrade . . . the more i think about it, the idea of saving $350 (over the latest cards) seems 'attractive'.




Whaddaya think? is the 9800 likely 'enough' for the next two years? Are you gonna hold on to yours or go for the new r420/nv40 cards?

i am soul-searching right now and trying to determine my practical needs vs. wants. 😛

:roll:
 
You realy don't need more power, unless you want to run everything at top quality and res with AA and AF, but who doesn't?
 
Originally posted by: bluewall21
You realy don't need more power, unless you want to run everything at top quality and res with AA and AF, but who doesn't?
Click to expand...
Well there isn't much more demanding games than DoomIII, HL2 and Unreal engines . . . even Far Cry seems to run fine on a 9800xt . . .

and . . .

. . . AND . . .

my 19" CRT's 'sweet spot' is [ONLY] 1152x864!!
 
In my opinion, buying video cards before games is a mistake. Buy the game, and upgrade if you are not happy. The 6 month treadmill is way too expenvice to keep up with on most people's budgets.

-Chu
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top