X850Pro Can it be unlocked?

[Dr J]

Hi,

I've been looking at the specs of the remaining agp cards and it seems the X850Pro has the same chip as the X850XT, but for a fraction of the price.

Can anyone tell me if this card, the X850Pro, agp, is unlockable, if it's capable of the same performance as the X850XT?

thanks,

John

 

[beserker15]

Some are some aren't. It's basically a hit or miss. The ones that are non vivo are definately not and the ones with vivo has a chance to.

 

[Dr J]

Thanks, beserker15,

that would mean the ATI version is not.

Are there any other good recommendations for an agp system? The 850XT is still very expensive.

John

 

[athfbum]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814142073

That should unlock.

 

[beserker15]

Originally posted by: Dr J
Thanks, beserker15,

that would mean the ATI version is not.

Are there any other good recommendations for an agp system? The 850XT is still very expensive.

John

You mean THIS one? It says in the description that it has VIVO so there's a chance it should unlock.

 

[JAG87]

Any card that is VIVO will unlock. both X800 PRO and X850 PRO. The only problem is your card might not handle the clocks. If you flash the XT Platinum edition bios (which is the only bios available unless you just go for the plain 16P with stock clock bios) your card might artifact and not handle the clocks. Proper cooling is key for the success.

 

[Dr J]

Yes, beserker15,

that's the one I've been looking at, that and this one:

http://shopati.ca/product.asp?sku=2588471

but the 850 seems a major bargoon.

I guess my next question is: how would I unlock it; as Jag87 sites, via a bios flash?

Is it worth waiting for the rv560 release in October?

There's also the new 7600gt, AGP ... leadtek already offers it and EVGA plans to do the same, very shortly.

I want, also, excellent 2d performance, however.

thanks for your help.

John

 

[beserker15]

Yeah, unlocking will require a pretty simple bios flash. However, the whole XT PE thing isn't really an issue. There's plenty of software out there that'll let you mod the speeds of the bios, so you can just lower it back to regular x850xt speeds or even lower if you want to be sure. As for the 7600gt, there's probably not a point. It's a great card, but if it just came out versus the x850xt being out for a while, the price will still be a lot more eventhough performance will be the same and the only benefit is sm3, hdr, and less power consumption.

 

[Dr J]

So, beserker15,

the X850Pro option, at $129 from ATI is a very good and practical deal, then?

I'd just like to get the very best out of my new display. I never would have imagined that one could fall in love with such a thing! lol

http://www.itreviews.co.uk/hardware/h966.htm

Unfortunately, the X850Pro appears to be out of stock, but have sent an e-mail for notification.

By the way, the GS, AGP version of the 7600, from EVGA is only $158.00 cnd. Not sure how much more the GT will be?

thanks,

John

 

[beserker15]

Well, the x850pro w/o unlocking is already faster than the 7600gs the gs costs $30cnd more. I'm guessing the 7600gt agp will take over the 6800gs agp back in the day which is closer to $200 usd.

 

[Dr J]

Thanks for the help and guidance, beserker.

I sent ATI the e-mail ... think I may go for it; the price is certainly right.

I also read of some complaints with the drivers for the 7900gt and the fellow was comparing his experiences to his X800XL (which he seemed to favour, at least in regard to ease of installation and driver use).

Hope they're not all sold out.

Again, thanks.

John

P.s. why is the X800XL, refurbished, more money than the X850Pro, new?

 

[Sonikku]

It's faster at stock then the Pro.

 

[Dr J]

Is the X850 Pro, then, the better choice than the X800XL, even though the Pro is cheaper to buy?

thanks,

John

 

[beserker15]

Yes because it uses the same core as the X850XT and has a chance to unlock. At stock, both a pretty close with the X800XL being slightly faster. However, the X800XL overclocks like crap so the X850 Pro can edge out with higher speeds, especially if it unlocks.

 

[Dr J]

beserker15,

I appreciate your responses. Seems like this forum has too many interests and it's difficult to get a straight answer.

If you were in my position, would you choose the X850Pro, the X800XT AIW, the 7600GT or wait for the October release of the RV560?

I'm in no hurry, I'd just like the best from this display, from my current apg rig, for another couple of years.

At the moment, you have me leaning towards the X850Pro as it does seem like a good deal. I'm also currently playing with the ATI tool on my 9600Pro and enjoying it.

One thing that concerns me about the 7600gt, is of the driver complaints I've read about, but for the 7900.

thanks for this.

John

 

[Sonikku]

Just get the X800XL. It's easier. The X850pro might unlock, it might not. But what many people seem to be forgetting is that if a the bios flash goes bad, you ain't gonna' be happy. That's a risk many took with the X800GTO2. Some were better off not unlocking, period.

 

[beserker15]

It's true that it's easier, but it's also not new where the x850pro is. Sides, performance of the two are quite similiar and the x850 pro should oc more anyways. As for a bad bios flash, that's not much of an issue either. I've done a bad one before, all that's required is a pci video card to flash it back. No harms done. Seeing how agp is getting more rare, a good deal would be when it's close to the price of its pci-e counterpart. The x800xt aiw isn't bad, but for $200, it's approaching the pci-e x1900 aiw's price.