Sapphire RADEON 9800 PRO 128mb Card Question

[dheffer]

Here is the card in question

How well would this flash to a 9800xt? I'm almost positive that it's a R360 core given the cooler shape, the lack of the heatsinks on whatever those things are haha and the slim vga connector.

Anyone try this particular card? I was going to get a 256mb version, but I don't want to spend an extra 70 for almost nothing =/

Also anyone ever shop here? seems like a damn good price to me

Thanks guys!

 

[Cawchy87]

you need to get the 256mb version to flash to XT

 

[dheffer]

Really?
I was looking at this guide online and they were demonstrating how to use a 128mb card if it was based on the R360 core.

 

[GeneralGrievous]

That is the garbage 128 bit card I think. Even though it says 256 bit, sapphire renamed their crappy 9800 Pros into the 9800 Atlantis or something like that.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: dheffer
Really?
I was looking at this guide online and they were demonstrating how to use a 128mb card if it was based on the R360 core.

STUDY the guide.

It's what i used to flash my 256Pro > XT. Works PERfectLY!

The article tells you how to tell if it's r360 - generally the newer ones are (buy from a 'hi-volume' retailer).

You have to realize you do NOT get a TRUE "XT" with the 128MB ver!? You do not get the thermal overclocking (it's thermal diode is missing) or Overdrive.



EDIT - also - if you're set on this - make sure the card is returnable if it not the r360 core. Please note - according to the article - the Sapphire HS is crap; you may need a better VGA cooler.

 

[dheffer]

I just figured it was a 256bit version based on the description, the price, and how the ram was organized
Oh, and I read the article, thats why I included a link to it...

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: dheffer
I just figured it was a 256bit version based on the description, the price, and how the ram was organized
Oh, and I read the article, thats why I included a link to it...

that's why i say make SURE it is returnable if it is the wrong card . . . it's kinda hard to tell from the product description (make sure you go to their website).

Also, Sapphire has (now) RElabled the 128bit 9800Pros so it is clear; the Allstar one is probably 256 bit; don't know if it is r360 or r350 . . .

LOOK at Allstar's product description:

Sapphire RADEON 9800 PRO ATLANTIS 128MB 256-bit DDR AGP8X TVO/DVI (OEM)
Powered by ATi
128MB of DDR memory
256-bit memory interface
8-pipeline architecture

i'd say you're good to go

 

[dheffer]

Thanks yeah I knew that saphire did some shady stuff with their 128/256 bit but that one clearly says 256 but ill look into it
as far as it being a r360 core, its built on the xt pcb, and all the other factors point towards yes, i think ill give it a shot
spending the extra 70 for the 256mb version seems a bit crazy

 

[Digic]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87
you need to get the 256mb version to flash to XT

no you don't, you can flash 128mb ones as well. The only definite way to tell if you got an r360 core is to check the core its self

 

[dheffer]

can anyone confirm its a 128bit? went to saphires website and the only one that looks even close to this is the 256 version - there is even a pdf file on them appologizing about the 128/256 "confusion"

Good company otherwise?

 

[PacFu]

This card is the 360 core, check the ram manufacturer...
yes you can flash the 128MB to XT...I have a pile of bios's one of which is the 128MB XT

 

[dheffer]

Thanks, I think I'll try this card out
Do you know where you downloaded that specific one?

PS - your 9800 got owned haha

 

[dheffer]

UPDATE: FYI, this one worked flawlessly to flash
works just like a 9800xt, flashed great, listed as a 9800xt, temp reading and all =)
in case anyone is curious

 

[Slimline]

I have the exact same card, and it is indeed 256 bit as was established. I wouldnt mind flashing it to an XT if I could get some more information on properly identifying the core without removing the heatsink. I can't afford the thermal compund right now to re-apply it... dheffer, I would appreciate you giving me all the information you used as well as the bios, if it is possible.

 

[aakerman]

are the sapphires with the crappy cooling, built on ati reference design?

ie. will a club3d, which is built on ati reference, have the same crap cooling?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: aakerman
are the sapphires with the crappy cooling, built on ati reference design?

ie. will a club3d, which is built on ati reference, have the same crap cooling?

Whatever "stock" cooling solution is on your card, a $11 Arctic-Cooling VGA silencer will probably cool it further by at least 10-15 C! Mine did.

Search hot deals . . . it's still current for the VGA cooler (BTW, it is a MONSTER, much heavier than the card itself . . . study the instructions b4 you install it - no soldering required) . . . the ati reference cooler is "crap" compared to it (although - to be fair - for cheap, ati's gets the 'job' done - UNTIL you flash or O/C it)

 

[Slimline]

*cough* bump *cough*