"best bang for buck" r9800pro/xt vs 5900U

[Maelstrom2160]

So it's finally time for me to upgrade my gpu ;D, my trusty ti4200 has given me aclass performance for 2 years solid but now I’m after a new gpu one that can run decent fps with plenty of aa/af at 1600/1200, and I’m wondering if anyone’s in the know with which brands are tending to have faster/more overclockable mem modules and if there’s any other critical info to consider when buying a gpu at this present time.

[danrok]

It's difficult to compare the two cards because the GPU on an ATI is of different design to the nVidia GPU. The coding for AA and AF on each is also very different. Both cards can handle AA/AF at 1600/1200. Most people hold the opinion that AA on ATI cards is better for both quality and speed. Although, the need for AA is less at higher resolutions.

Some games run better on ATI cards and some are better on nVidia. So, it might be an idea to work out which is best for your favorite games.

Have you considered the 5950? This has very fast memory with speeds up to 950mhz DDR.

[SpleeNMaN]

if you're going to buy a card that expensive, you might want to read some reviews; there are plenty available.
also, if you are thinking about purchasing a 9800 pro, look here: http://www.radeon-shop.de/shop/

[tjf_diesel]

What a month or two, the new ones should be out. Then you can either buy one of the new ones or get the card of your choice at a much better price. If ya don't want to wait I would get the ATI 9800XT. Just my personnally choice after owning both ATI and Nvidia gpu's.

[marcofra2000]

Originally Posted by Maelstrom2160

So it's finally time for me to upgrade my gpu ;D, my trusty ti4200 has given me aclass performance for 2 years solid but now I’m after a new gpu one that can run decent fps with plenty of aa/af at 1600/1200, and I’m wondering if anyone’s in the know with which brands are tending to have faster/more overclockable mem modules and if there’s any other critical info to consider when buying a gpu at this present time.

If you are going to spend big bucks, then I would do some research first, but imo get the Ati Radeon 9800 pro/xt, I have the All in Wonder Radeon 9800 pro and it plays my games with aa 2x and af 8 with res of 1024*768 and it's also more future proof. Both 3d cards can play games with high fps in high quality at the moment.

[Aedan]

From what I've seen, the 5950 cards sit right at the same level as the 9800XT, with perhaps a slight edge when it comes to maximising eyecandy, falling slightly behind when it comes to raw speed at the expense of eyecandy.

If you're looking for a card that will score more highly in 3DMark200x, then the 9800XT is it. If you're looking for a card that plays games well, either the 9800XT or the 5950 will do - depending on which mix of games you have, the 5950 may outrun the 9800XT with eyecandy turned up.

Mind you, it'd be nice if somone would catch up with TV. Neither the AIW, nor the Personal Cinema series can handle digital TV, be it satellite or terestrial. Analog's hardly high end for a supposedly high end card. (Yeah, I'm complaining that a high end card can't do what a $50 set top box can.)

[tjf_diesel]

Here's an article that compares the two top end Video Card:

http://www.tomshardware.com/graphic/20031023/index.html

[danrok]

Here's a 9800SE with TV on offer for £136.50

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatal...k_Only_25.html

[Aedan]

That rather depends if you can soft mod the card up to a 9800Pro or not. Currently it seems rather a gamble if you're considering higher end cards than a 9800SE!

[Maelstrom2160]

Originally Posted by Áedán

That rather depends if you can soft mod the card up to a 9800Pro or not. Currently it seems rather a gamble if you're considering higher end cards than a 9800SE!

yeah far too much hastle tring to find a SE that'll softmod. That radeon-shop.de seemed like a safe bet to pick up a SE that definetly would mod but for a few pound more i can pick up a 9800pro and cut up a couple of cpu heatsinks if theres room stick half a heatsink across 2 of the mem modules at a time and mount 4*40mm fans on top or on the side closest to the core of each of the mem sinks, while im at it i have to stick a chunky heatsink on the core aswell, heh hope the pcb doesnt snap :P hum more like hope i dont snap from the white noise of the fans

[Lazgoat]

I agree with Aedan about the lack Digital TV on these high end cards. Why oh why did ATI stop doing/at the 8500 DV?!! I've been looking to get my hands on one but they are like gold dust!

Laz.

[Maelstrom2160]

picked up a brand spanking new sapphire 9800pro with all the software cables ect for £182 shipped/insured

[Maelstrom2160]

Originally Posted by Maelstrom2160

picked up a brand spanking new sapphire 9800pro with all the software cables ect for £182 shipped/insured

Lucky i havent payed for it yet, seems like it's only got a 128bit mem interface dunno why there being sold off as pro's. Looks like i'll have to pay the extra £40 for a real one

I mean you can't state that it's a 9800pro if its a softmoded 9800se right? the only indication that its a SE and not a pro is the 128bit mem interface in the specs

im clearing this up atm with the dealer

[Maelstrom2160]

Originally Posted by Maelstrom2160

Lucky i havent payed for it yet, seems like it's only got a 128bit mem interface dunno why there being sold off as pro's. Looks like i'll have to pay the extra £40 for a real one

what speed mem modules do the 9800pro's tend to have?

and what speed modules do the 9800se's have? (i noticed some at that radeon shop have 2.8ns modules same as the pro?)

if the core on the SE is the same as the pro/xt is it just a underclocked/downgraded(cause of demand) r350 core or is the SE core like a core that failed higher tier performance evaluation

[Lazgoat]

Some of the 9800 SE's are 128Bit and some are 256 Bit. All the Pro versions are 256Bit.
The only 9800SE's that mod are the 256Bit ones. These ones are rumoured to have "damaged" cores with only 4 of the 8 pipelines guaranteed working, but the softmod gets round that. Not all are damaged but are locked (for some reason)to only 4 pipes. These will softmod successfully to 9800 Pros.
The memory varies in speed from 3.3ns to 2.8ns.
Overclockers are doing the 9800 Pro for £200!

Laz.

[Maelstrom2160]

Originally Posted by Lazgoat

Some of the 9800 SE's are 128Bit and some are 256 Bit. All the Pro versions are 256Bit.
The only 9800SE's that mod are the 256Bit ones. These ones are rumoured to have "damaged" cores with only 4 of the 8 pipelines guaranteed working, but the softmod gets round that. Not all are damaged but are locked (for some reason)to only 4 pipes. These will softmod successfully to 9800 Pros.
The memory varies in speed from 3.3ns to 2.8ns.
Overclockers are doing the 9800 Pro for £200!

Laz.

yeah i spotted overclockers were doing them for 200 but thats last weeks offer there doing barton 3200+'s now for £150 so the sapphires are back up to £210+delivery

:P

[bradmax57]

Originally Posted by Lazgoat

Some of the 9800 SE's are 128Bit and some are 256 Bit. All the Pro versions are 256Bit.
The only 9800SE's that mod are the 256Bit ones. These ones are rumoured to have "damaged" cores with only 4 of the 8 pipelines guaranteed working, but the softmod gets round that. Not all are damaged but are locked (for some reason)to only 4 pipes. These will softmod successfully to 9800 Pros.
The memory varies in speed from 3.3ns to 2.8ns.
Overclockers are doing the 9800 Pro for £200!

Laz.

Actually the 128bit ones can be modded to enable the extra 4 pipes but with only 128bit, sort of like a 9500pro was over the std 9500 but with a r350 core sucessfully modded ones are rumered that with a good oc to not be that far off a std 9700, or so ive read?

[bradmax57]

Originally Posted by Maelstrom2160

yeah i spotted overclockers were doing them for 200 but thats last weeks offer there doing barton 3200+'s now for £150 so the sapphires are back up to £210+delivery

:P

Still on offer till c/b thursday