ATI Radeon 9700 non-pro

[HueJazz89]

Hey i need an opinion from u guys.
I got a Radeon 9500 Pro but I always get the urge to get a 9700 non-pro for better performence.
The only difference is the 256 bit bus memory right? If that is how big will the increase be from my 9500 Pro.
I play games like C&C Generals, CS, Wolfenstein, NHL 2003, FIFA 2003, Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance, and splinter cell.
in C&C Generals, sometimes it freezes for like a second and gets back on track.Wolfenstein, CS, NHL, and FIFA my card handles fine but in Splinter Cell i get low fps and its slow. For Metal Gear Solid 2 I'm waiting for the patch because of the problem with ATI cards.

But anyway is the 9700 non-pro worth it??? Maybe I'll return the card and pay the difference. My Radeon cost me $300 Canadian, so the 9700 non-pro should cost $350-370 canadian I'm not sure. Can any1 help me on the price?

Also I noticed ATI doesn't make the 9700 non-pro. So i got the options of Saphire, FIC, and powercolor. Honestly I don't like saphires fan it looks cheap and to round. I prefere the orignal HSF from ATI. I think the Saphire 9700 non-pro OEM is red and comes with the ATI pan does it not?

Well here my system and some1 plz tell me if it will make a difference

P4 1.6A@2.14
256 ddr pc266
60gb hd 7200rpm
10gb hd 5400rpm
300w psu
Radeon 9500 Pro
MSI 845E Max mobo.

So will it make a difference in games??? Some1 plz tell me!

 

[Keysplayr]

I would upgrade that CPU and memory before dumping the 9500 pro. (AWESOME CARD)
Your CPU is a bottleneck and I'm sure others will agree. More memory never hurt either.

Keys

 

[eklass]

defo more ram... i don't think you're going to get the boost you want from 9500 pro -> 9700 np

what's wrong with what you've got? maybe kick the graphics down slightly in splinter cell. i know simcity 4 is still f'd on my athlon 2000, 512 ram, 9700np. anyway, get some more ram for sure. i myself am thinking of going from 512 to 1024 just for kick (can't argue with $80 USD for 512 ram. my first ram upgrade was 8 mb for $100).

anyway, i'd say stick with what you've got for now. go ram first. then in a bit, i'd go new proc. i'd wait for the next generation of cards (not 9800/FX) before looking to upgrade. let us know how it goes

edit: fyi, my 9700np is a FIC and i love it! looks great too check out the pics on newegg

 

[HueJazz89]

Alrite so let me get this straight.

1) I need more ram. About 256 more right???
2) Upgrade my processor. Alrite but which 1?? I don't want to buy a new mobo so I'm alrdy thinking like a 2.4 or 2.5ghz with 533 mhz bus.
3) Ok for videocard I'm gonna wait for the next generation videocards to come out then I'll buy myself a Radeon 9800 Pro with 256 ram

Ok thnx for ur help.

Oh ya and my 3dmark2k1 my score was 11000 and for 3dmark2k3 i got 3500.

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: HueJazz89
Alrite so let me get this straight.

1) I need more ram. About 256 more right???
2) Upgrade my processor. Alrite but which 1?? I don't want to buy a new mobo so I'm alrdy thinking like a 2.4 or 2.5ghz with 533 mhz bus.
3) Ok for videocard I'm gonna wait for the next generation videocards to come out then I'll buy myself a Radeon 9800 Pro with 256 ram

Ok thnx for ur help.

Oh ya and my 3dmark2k1 my score was 11000 and for 3dmark2k3 i got 3500.

Ram is so cheap right now,If I were you I would buy a 512meg stick to bring your total to 768megs.

I am certain you'll see a big improvement & those pauses you now see in games will dissapear.

 

[HueJazz89]

It has come to my attention to ask something.
I got 2 choices.
1)Get a Radeon 9700 non pro right now and keep it for a year.
2)Keep my Radeon 9500 Pro for a year and by a better card by then.

I really thought about it and i can keep up with technology now or later.
A Radeon 9500 Pro is still good but I'm the type of person that keeps things for a long time.

My first very own computer had a ATI Rage 128, then i bought a Geforce 2 MX400, after I bought a Radeon 9500 Pro but I don't think i should have bought it.

Getting more ram is by #1 priority i know that.
Processor..............................I still think it will be able to survive so not yet.
But I think upgrading to a Radeon 9700 non-pro will keep me up for a while.
I will still be close to a Radeon 9800 Pro and non-pro and god hope it will be on par with the NV35.

So upgrade 9700 non-pro or keep 9500 Pro.

I favour getting a 9700 non-pro but I want to hear u guys before i make my decision.

Also my 3dmarks were not bad.

3dMark2k1 - 11000
3dMark2k3 - 3500

Now all i need is a simple answer plz.

 

[EdipisReks]

just keep the 9500 pro.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: HueJazz89
Alrite so let me get this straight.

1) I need more ram. About 256 more right???
2) Upgrade my processor. Alrite but which 1?? I don't want to buy a new mobo so I'm alrdy thinking like a 2.4 or 2.5ghz with 533 mhz bus.
3) Ok for videocard I'm gonna wait for the next generation videocards to come out then I'll buy myself a Radeon 9800 Pro with 256 ram

Ok thnx for ur help.

Oh ya and my 3dmark2k1 my score was 11000 and for 3dmark2k3 i got 3500.

Sounds perfect. You will not believe the performance gain you will get by upping the CPU to 2.4 and 512MB mem total.
These video cards are extremely CPU dependant. You card will be able to stretch its legs.
Keys