***Modern Video Cards FAQ***

[AStar617]

Good list. :beer: Suggestion: A roundup of viable PCI videocards would be helpful. Anyone looking to go into panoramic mode with 3 or more displays will ultimately be pushed to consider their PCI options...

 

[samajm]

Marsumane,
before you criticize someone else's spelling and writing, you should REALLY check yourself.

"There are significant spelling errors, as well as errors that take away from comprehention. There are definately a few things that i dont agree with."

It's comprehenSion and definItely.

"There are other methods to go around softmods other reccomendations i would reccomend"

It's recommendations and you generally don't have to recommend them.

"and doing many more unwise purchasing."

Huh???

"when u mention them at the beginning, you are inconsistant. "

It's inconsistEnt

"You are comming a long way"

sheesh i give up

 

[pkchen]

great store of info

 

[Creig]

ATI cards
The First card is an older card but still very good the 9500NU. Now this softmod can only be performed IF you have a 9500 with L shaped memory. All you do to softmod this card is download the Omega drivers. (This is the easy way). During the installation process it will give the option to do 2 softmods. Click on the one labeled 9500->>9700. What this does is reactivate the remaining 128bit data bus, essentially turning it into a 9700 and with OC a 9700Pro.

You may want to edit this section. I have the softmoddable 9500 non-pro that Rollo is so fond of looking down his nose at and compiled a FAQ awhile back on the subject.

It's not really referred to as a 9500NU (Non Ultra?), but a 9500NP (Non Pro). I think you're confusing it with the 6800NU series of cards.

The other thing is that the soft-moddable 9500 actually has a 256bit data bus, not a 128. This is because it was built on the same PCB as the 9700 Pro. The softmod doesn't have anything to do with modifying the memory path size, but activating the pipelines. A stock softmoddable 9500NP actually has 8 pipelines, 4 of which are disabled in the drivers. All the softmod does is reenable the 4 disabled pipelines thereby giving it the same specs as a 9700 (8 pipes, 256bit memory path)

If you'd like more info, I've included the link to my 9500NP softmod FAQ.

9500 softmod FAQ

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: Creig

ATI cards
The First card is an older card but still very good the 9500NU. Now this softmod can only be performed IF you have a 9500 with L shaped memory. All you do to softmod this card is download the Omega drivers. (This is the easy way). During the installation process it will give the option to do 2 softmods. Click on the one labeled 9500->>9700. What this does is reactivate the remaining 128bit data bus, essentially turning it into a 9700 and with OC a 9700Pro.

You may want to edit this section. I have the softmoddable 9500 non-pro that Rollo is so fond of looking down his nose at and compiled a FAQ awhile back on the subject.

It's not really referred to as a 9500NU (Non Ultra?), but a 9500NP (Non Pro). I think you're confusing it with the 6800NU series of cards.

The other thing is that the soft-moddable 9500 actually has a 256bit data bus, not a 128. This is because it was built on the same PCB as the 9700 Pro. The softmod doesn't have anything to do with modifying the memory path size, but activating the pipelines. A stock softmoddable 9500NP actually has 8 pipelines, 4 of which are disabled in the drivers. All the softmod does is reenable the 4 disabled pipelines thereby giving it the same specs as a 9700 (8 pipes, 256bit memory path)

If you'd like more info, I've included the link to my 9500NP softmod FAQ.

9500 softmod FAQ

Thanks for the heads up. I really really need to update this lol.

I dont know exactly what i was thinking when i wrote that. As for the NU instead of NP i think i might have hit the wrong key. The other part is just me posting before doing a lot of research. HOPEFULLY my ISP will give me a server (We get like 3 webspaces hosted by Adelphia) where i can put the drivers thread, as well as a NICE version of this FAQ.

Thanks again,
-Kevin

 

[Creig]

Very handy compilation, BTW. Hopefully your ISP will agree to helping you out with space.