DEAD: ATI Radeon 8500 AGP 64MB (Gateway OEM)

[OS]

Good card, I just updated mine with omega drivers and it helps also.

Plays doom 3, halo at 640 and far cry, HL2, UTK2K4 at 1024.

 

[alm4rr]

still using my 8500le 128 meg version with no probs

 

[thebestMAX]

I am also using an 8500le/128M on one of my systems.

I just bought one of these 8500/64m boards on Friday for the DVI output since I am running a flat panel on the LE with an analog cable.

Do you think I will see any picture improvement at native resolution or lower?
Which card do you think will be faster without overclocking? I think my 128 has the faster ram, 3.3?
Which will overclock better? Running the LE at 286/286 right now.

Using the catalyst drivers but not the newst version and win2000. Any better drivers for this card?

Thanks for any info.

 

[RobsTV]

Yep, best budget card.
Crucial has 128meg 8500/9100 refurbs every few weeks for $37, with free shipping if over $50.
I use this in HTPC's that we build.
Gaming example is 3dm2k1se at around 10,000 when overclocked, and 8800 stock.
The Crucial's fan goes bad after a month or two, so requires an additional $4 afterwards, but still well worth it.
A stated, you would need to go to a 9600 or perhaps a nVidia 4200 for better gaming.
For TV out, these are tops.

 

[labgeek]

Hmm... I just checked out crucials refurb section as I'm looking for a new card. I play a few games but nothing that requires anything exceptional. They have a 9600SE available $79 new/$69 refurb. I like the no fan (at least per the picture), as I like quiet PCs. But noticed the 9600XT is $10 MORE for the refurb... Seems a little odd. Think I'll keep my eyes on there for the 8500/9100 refurbs. Thanks RobsTV!

 

[mdetz]

Originally posted by: RobsTV
Yep, best budget card.
Crucial has 128meg 8500/9100 refurbs every few weeks for $37, with free shipping if over $50.
I use this in HTPC's that we build.
Gaming example is 3dm2k1se at around 10,000 when overclocked, and 8800 stock.
The Crucial's fan goes bad after a month or two, so requires an additional $4 afterwards, but still well worth it.
A stated, you would need to go to a 9600 or perhaps a nVidia 4200 for better gaming.
For TV out, these are tops.

Do these have enough bandwith to handle HDTV?

 

[tcsenter]

Got my R8500's today. They appear to be in good condition, albiet slightly used. Will be testing them out over the next couple days.

 

[RobsTV]

Originally posted by: mdetz

Originally posted by: RobsTV
Yep, best budget card.
Crucial has 128meg 8500/9100 refurbs every few weeks for $37, with free shipping if over $50.
I use this in HTPC's that we build.
Gaming example is 3dm2k1se at around 10,000 when overclocked, and 8800 stock.
The Crucial's fan goes bad after a month or two, so requires an additional $4 afterwards, but still well worth it.
A stated, you would need to go to a 9600 or perhaps a nVidia 4200 for better gaming.
For TV out, these are tops.

Do these have enough bandwith to handle HDTV?

Absolutely!

 

[tcsenter]

There must be 2nd RAMDAC for dual monitor support, right? I'll know when I get my card.

Ok there isn't an external DAC on this card, contrary to my first impression. I wonder if the Rage Theater chip has an integrated DAC? Anyway, one of the cards has survived several loops of 3DMark2001 SE. Moving on to 3DMark2003 and Passmark 2004...

 

[Empire_DNH]

FYI,
I took it from ATI FAQ

"What does ATI mean when they say that the RADEON 8500 is "HDTV ready"? What can a user do with the RADEON 8500 HDTV decode capability?


A12: RADEON 8500 is capable of decoding all of the HDTV formats with reduced CPU utilization and of directly driving both analog and digital high definition displays. RADEON 8500 achieves its decode capability through motion compensation and iDCT and without the need for any external hardware. When RADEON is used with the appropriate DTV tuner and DTV demodulator software, the user is be able to view HDTV on their monitor or TV."

FAQ 8500 Link

 

[Boogak]

I have one of these with the HDTV VGA to Component adapter, works great.

 

[thebestMAX]

Heh, link now lists card at $99 and not in stock.

Anybody receive theirs yet?

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: thebestMAX
Heh, link now lists card at $99 and not in stock.

Anybody receive theirs yet?

Yep, and so far, so good. Both cards I received run at 275MHz GPU and 300MHz RAM (600MHz effective) by default. Scoring just over 10,000 in 3DMark2001 SE. I should have ordered a dozen of them.

 

[thebestMAX]

Thanks, tcenter

Score sounds about right also. My 8500le has hit 11,300 running 286/286 but I have run it as high as 301/301 with no performance increase.

I bought this for the DVI interface for my flat panel. Think it will look any better?

 

[Empire_DNH]

BEWARE,
www.pcpartsohio.com sent me the 8500 but with out the DVI port

I have contacted them but they did not want to pay for the shipping back to them for exchange.

Right now, Im waiting for the RMA number

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Empire_DNH
BEWARE, www.pcpartsohio.com sent me the 8500 but with out the DVI port. I have contacted them but they did not want to pay for the shipping back to them for exchance. Right now, Im waiting for the RMA number

Sorry to hear that. Both my cards were received as advertised.

They don't want to pay for return shipping? Who cares what they want or don't want, it was their mistake and a preventable one at that. I have been in this situation before. I have told the merchant either they pay for return shipping, or I will do a charge-back for the full amount and they can arrange for carrier pick-up of the item.

 

[corinthos]

I still run one of these... 2D is great, and it'll play even some more recent games fine, just at lower settings. I only play MOHAA online anyway...

Good card!

 

[Empire_DNH]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: Empire_DNH
BEWARE, www.pcpartsohio.com sent me the 8500 but with out the DVI port. I have contacted them but they did not want to pay for the shipping back to them for exchange. Right now, Im waiting for the RMA number

Sorry to hear that. Both my cards were received as advertised.

They don't want to pay for return shipping? Who cares what they want or don't want, it was their mistake and a preventable one at that. I have been in this situation before. I have told the merchant either they pay for return shipping, or I will do a charge-back for the full amount and they can arrange for carrier pick-up of the item.

Good news!
After couple of phone calls, I?ve spoken with their sale person plus their technical staff; Finally, I got them to send out the replacement plus the return shipping label.

Will see if it goes through thou

I will let y'all know
Cya

 

[thebestMAX]

I got an email yesterday that they were backordered and I could either cancel or substitiute another card. I just cancelled. Funny, I ordered first day this was posted and my CC was charged too.

Guess Ill go with th 9550 deal for $60 to get my DVI connector and a bonus of DirectX 9 and 128M of ram.