Yet another which Radeon thread

[mrzed]

First off, can anyone confirm the clockspeeds of a 9100? This is the main reason I figured I could get away with another post on this topic. I searched, but was only able to find reference to a rumour froma chinese version. Not exactly conclusive in my mind.

But I might as well solicit more advice.

I'll probably be buying next week, choices are - in Canadian $

8500le 64Mb (230/230 with 4 ns RAM) $110

9000 reg 128 Mb $136

9000 pro 128 $160

9100 128Mb - $140

8500le 128 $150 (I think this one is 230/230 as well, but not sure)

The place I would be getting the 9xxx card from does not post clock info.

 

[AnAndAustin]

The Rad8500's are known to vary a LOT in clock speeds, 230/166 to 275/275 or there abouts, 230/230 is still very good but you wouldn't want to dip below this, 250/250 is what a full retail Rad8500 should be and is about 10% faster. Another thing to think about is the RAM onboard, the Rad8500 like the GF4TI and unlike the GF3, GF4MX & Rad9000 series actually gain from having 128MB over 64MB regardless of whether a proggy needs the extra RAM. This makes a Rad8500LE_128MB @ 230/230 preferable to a Rad8500_64MB @ 250/250 as speeds will actually be very close but when more than 64MB is needed (still rare currently) cards with 'only' 64MB really take a significant hit. The Rad9x00 are MUCH more consistent but the Rad9000 is only about the speed of a Rad7500/GF2TI albeit with DX8 hw, even the Rad9000PRO is slower than a Rad8500LE_64MB @ 230/230 so bear that in mind too. I don't know the clocks of Rad9100 but I'd imagine they'd be 250/250, possibly 230/230. Oh another thing where the Rad8500 series vary is dual display, if you want to run dual CRTs ensure it truly has 2 RAMDACs.

So from the ones you list the $110 8500LE_64MB or $140 9100_128MB are the best bets, without a doubt (IMHO).

 

[mrzed]

Thanks. Seemed like the best be to me, but wasn't sure how clocks affected the 8500 vs 9000 issue

 

[xSauronx]

some pricewatch vendor listed the 9100 as 250/230
an 8500le is 250/250
retail is 275/275
8500lele is 230/230, sometimes its oem, sometimes its built by ati but a later model that wasnt clocked like a regular le
if its made by ati, you can usually oc a tad, ie: lele to 250/250, le to 275/275, sometimes a retial will go 300/300, that hynix ram is good stuff

anyway, i got a8500le 250/250 64mbddr at newegg for 72 with free fedex saver 3 day shipping, $110 is too much money for that card, tho for 70 bucks its a good buy

 

[spanky]

just try to verify that it is a STOCK ati card and u will be fine. if it is manufacturered by a 3rd party... ur clockspeed is up in the air.

 

[Jalapeno]

LOL

 

[AnAndAustin]

I'll probably be buying next week, choices are - in Canadian $

 

[Gouv]

Even retail 8500 LE's are varying in clock speed now. I ordered one before Christmas and got lucky with a 250/275 (3.3ns), but my friend ordered after Christmas and got a 230/230 (4ns). My card also had a DVI connector - his didn't. As far as the 128MB vs 64MB goes - it doesn't matter for most applications. 8500s will probably be obsolete before a game comes out that hogs so much memory.

The 9100s I've seen are 250/240 or 250/230 (Sapphire).

 

[AnAndAustin]

GF4TI & Rad8500 series gain a perf boost from having the extra RAM regardless of whether a proggy needs or actually uses it, esp if you want eye candy. As I said a Rad8500LE_128MB @ 230/230 is preferable to a Rad8500_64MB @ 250/250. Here, take a look...

Tech Report look at what diff 128MB makes over 64MB (all cards at 250/250 to isolate RAM diff only).

AnAndTech 4200 roundup (note the diff between 64MB & faster clock VS 128MB and slower clock)

TomsHW Charts 1

TomsHW Charts 2 part 1 (high end)

TomsHW Charts 2 part 2 (mainstream)

GF3 and Rad9000 series on the other hand only show an improvement with 128MB when a proggy needs more than 64MB, the hit is then very significant. A 4200_64MB @ 300/600 (faster than TI4400) ends up below a 4200_128MB @ 250/444 once aproggie needs more than 64MB gfx RAM. Unless your budget is very limited it makes a lot of sense to grab a 128MB ver if you're interested in GF4TI or Rad8500.