Your Opinions - Did I buy the right version 8500 Radeon ?

thebestMAX

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
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My research has told me a 128M 8500le is better than an 64M 8500 which is better than a 128M 8500 which is better than a 64M 8500le.

Do you agree? Found a deal on the 128 8500le (retail version for $105) and got it but just wondering. Not worried aout a few dollars difference, just performance gaming and future compatibility. Know the MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE 9000 series would be better but right now all I wish to spend. Best bang for the buck? Dont really think there is that much difference between my choices but everyone always wants the best deal.

Going to use with an EPoX 8RDA+ and 1700xp+ oclocked now and a faster proc in the future.

Thanks
 

tenoc

Golden Member
Jan 23, 2002
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Your retail, made-by-ATI 8500le is better than a 9000. Or did you mean 9xxx?

Anyway, it should easily clock to 275/275 or better. A good choice.
 

thebestMAX

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
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Tenoc-

Meant better than a 9000 but not ALL the 9XXX series.

Just was wondering within the 8500 series.
 

movinslow

Senior member
Jul 15, 2002
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Hmm, I didn't think 128mb 8500LE was better than 128mb 8500. It's initially clocked slower (250/250 instead of 275/275).
I had see it posted by some, such as anandaustin, that it's better to get 128mb 8500LE instead of 64mb 8500.
I thought the main difference(other than clockspeed) between 8500 and le was the lack of dvi on le, but I think some have gotten le's with dvi

I'd say 8500 is a great card. Best bang? Well, for it's price range.
I have a BBA 128mb 8500. It works for me! :D

K7S5A, 1700xp @ 1.51 (137.3 fsb), 512mb crucial pc2100
 

AnAndAustin

Platinum Member
Apr 15, 2002
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;) A lot depends on the clock speeds, these vary a LOT in the whole 8500 series but you should be at 250/250 (LE) or 275/275 (full 8500). The Rad9000PRO is still inferior to the Rad8500LE_64MB @ 230/230 but the 9000 has less variance across the manus and retail/oem. The Rad9100 is effectively a Rad8500LE. In terms of the diff RAM makes, unless an app/game reqs more than 64MB gfx RAM it doesn't on the 9000 series BUT does on the 8500 series. The 8500 series gets a nice little boost from 128MB making a Rad8500LE_128MB @ 250/250 easily preferable to a Rad8500_64MB @ 275/275. The Rad8500 & Rad8500LE are essentially identical except the full 8500 tends to come with higher clocks. Obviously the GF4TI4200 and Rad9500PRO offer great perf at their price levels too, and the faster your CPU the more they pull away.
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
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i've got a retail r8500 64mb and i score 9700 3dmarks. i don't know if that helps you out at all tho.

i'm running an xp1900+ with 256mb of pc2700 ram under win2k.
 

movinslow

Senior member
Jul 15, 2002
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Originally posted by: SickBeast
i've got a retail r8500 64mb and i score 9700 3dmarks. i don't know if that helps you out at all tho. i'm running an xp1900+ with 256mb of pc2700 ram under win2k.
Nice. What drivers ya using?

Edit: Maybe that's the difference between xp and 2000. I get 8500 marks with my 128mb retail 8500: cat 3.0a, xp1700 with 512mb pc2100
 

Mustanggt

Diamond Member
Dec 11, 1999
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I had the retail 8500 64 and scored between 10000 and 10400, I now have retail AIW 8500 128 and get same scores, only difference 128 will have is in the latest and future games and apps witch are very few right now that can really take advantage of the extra ram. you are better off getting the 128 if only for better resale value when you decide to upgrade, the 64 will be harder to get rid of and less $ back.
 

jiffylube1024

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
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Originally posted by: thebestMAX
My research has told me a 128M 8500le is better than an 64M 8500 which is better than a 128M 8500 which is better than a 64M 8500le.

Do you agree? Found a deal on the 128 8500le (retail version for $105) and got it but just wondering. Not worried aout a few dollars difference, just performance gaming and future compatibility. Know the MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE 9000 series would be better but right now all I wish to spend. Best bang for the buck? Dont really think there is that much difference between my choices but everyone always wants the best deal.

Going to use with an EPoX 8RDA+ and 1700xp+ oclocked now and a faster proc in the future.

Thanks

If you're comparing a built by ATI 128MB 8500LE vs a "powered by ATI" 8500 128MB then yes, generally speaking the BB ATI card will clock higher. I had a built by ATI Radeon 8500LE 128MB that clocked to 310/310 no problem, 315/315 even, which is a nice bit faster than the regular built by ati 8500 128MB's. A regular built by ATI 8500 128MB would probably o/c to about there also, in the 300/300 to 320/320 range I guess.

So, yes - a BB ATI 8500LE 128MB is better than any 64MB Radeon 8500, and better than all 8500 128MB except the retail built by ATI one (which is more expensive).

Note however that the Built By ATI 8500 LE 128MB only has VGA and TV-out, no DVI, so if you want to run a DVI flat panel or dual monitors then this card isn't for you. If you are a CRT-only man (or VGA flat panel... ick!) then go for it!
 

thebestMAX

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
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Thanks for all your replies.

jiffylube -

CRT all the way for gaming. I do have a flat panel and enjoy it also but for now Ill stick with CRTs for anything other than surfing and business uses.

Pricing on these cards are all over the place. The ones you think should be more expensive arent and the ones you think should be cheaper arent. ;) Performance cant be judged by price or model number either it seems.

I Try to avoid OEM products whenever possible. Not to put them down, some are excellent!!

Have a radeon 32M DDR OEM (7200) and a 64M DDr VIVO retail (also 7200) now so I am sure I will be happy with this one.

Next 12-18 mo and a 9700 pro will probably be as cheap.