Should I buy a Sapphire 9500 non-pro 128MB to try the 9700 mod?

[SickBeast]

From what I've read, this is the exact card that people have been using to do the 9700 mod...is it worth the risk though? What are my chances like? Is it a worthwhile upgrade from my 8500 even if the mod doesn't work? The card is going for $250CDN + tax. Thanks.

 

[hollowman]

If you wouldn't be happy with 9500 non pro as is, then no.

 

[Killrose]

It is too iffy to recommend you buy it to try the mod, the success rate is not very good(I bet it is around 60% that work). The 9500 128mb non-pro will out outperform the 8500 especially with FSAA/Ansio enabled. Play it safe and buy the 9500 pro. But if you are'nt going to be terribly dissapointed if it does'nt work, then give it a shot.

 

[majewski9]

yeah you better buy the 128 meg pro version. I am pretty sure there is a much higher success rate in modding those.

 

[hovenas]

There is a softmod and it worked flawlessly for me. I'd try it out soft mod and if it didn't work try to shift for a pro
Btw, I love my Connect3d 9500 now giving me graphical delight in UT2003 as a 9700!
It is too sweet not to try in my opinion

 

[Mingon]

the 128mb non pro still has the benefit of 256bit memory - it just is lacking in the fillrate. O/C the core and it performs quite well

 

[hovenas]

it clocks well, 275 -> 350 no sweat and mem 270 -> 300

 

[SickBeast]

hmm...this is tempting...

i'm guessing i could sell my 8500 for ~$75US, then the 9500 would only be costing me about $70US...

from what you guys are saying it sounds like it would be a nice upgrade regardless of whether or not it would work.

do any of you know what the 2D output is like on the sapphire cards?

 

[hovenas]

2x400RAMDAC

 

[bobcpg]

GOSH I hope mine gets here today!!!! PLLLLLLLLEAAAAASEEEEE deliver on MLK day FEDEX!!!!

 

[Killrose]

Saphire builds the cards for Ati outside of Canada, so 2D is not an issue,

 

[Toro 45]

So if the softmod did'nt work,how would an overclocked 9500 128mb compare to a (non overclocked)9500Pro 128mb?

Toro

 

[Killrose]

Originally posted by: Toro 45
So if the softmod did'nt work,how would an overclocked 9500 128mb compare to a (non overclocked)9500Pro 128mb?

Toro

With FSAA and Anisio enabled because of the 256-bit mem bus the 9500 non-pro would probably make a very good showing, but the 9500 Pro would still dominate.

 

[SickBeast]

Here's another thing to think about: I've read that Sapphire and the other manufacturers probably will continue to make cards with the 256 bus simply because it's more expensive to change the PCB at this point. So, I'm guessing that once the GFFX is released these cards will drop in price quite a bit...add to this the fact that ATI is planning to release their R350 in the near future and it might be a good idea to wait this one out a bit.

 

[Auric]

Ah, ze waiting game. A moi, it was worth ze risk. If it hadn't have worked I might have tried again or got the 9500P instead. I understand the 9500 with 128MB was not originally planned so that is why they ended up using the 256bit PCB's for 'em. As I just posted in 'nutha thread the RV350 is imminent so I agree it is a safe bet nothing will be done to change the current design. The funny thing is this card is now way overpowered for my ye olde school Celeron.

 

[Killrose]

Originally posted by: Auric
Ah, ze waiting game. A moi, it was worth ze risk. If it hadn't have worked I might have tried again or got the 9500P instead. I understand the 9500 with 128MB was not originally planned so that is why they ended up using the 256bit PCB's for 'em. As I just posted in 'nutha thread the RV350 is imminent so I agree it is a safe bet nothing will be done to change the current design. The funny thing is this card is now way overpowered for my ye olde school Celeron.

So I take it you won the crap shoot?

 

[WarSong]

I just got mine delivered today. Will install tonight and post my results. Wish me luck

 

[SickBeast]

Good luck dude...

Judging by the fact that you still haven't posted results I'm guessing it didn't work tho...

I wonder how much cheaper these cards will get...or even the 9700 for that matter...

I remember reading somewhere that ATI has plans to make a low-end card with the power of a 9700.

I also read that there is the R350 which is .15 micron and a BEAST, and then there's the RV350 which is a .13 micron "lite" edition geared at the value market. I just wish I wasn't a poor student so I wouldn't have to play "ze waiting game".

 

[WarSong]

Sorry man, I'm a left coaster

Dude, it's going REAL well so far! Threw card in and installed drivers. I run 3DMark with all stock and got a 10470 with 1103.4 Fill Rate (Multi-Texturing) (MTexels/s). So then I use RivaTuner and Soft9700 it and rerun 3DMark. This time I get 12272 with 2173.2 Fill Rate (Multi-Texturing) (MTexels/s). Now I'm going to try overclocking it. BBL

edit: Overclocked without having to flash bios running @ 330/297 atm. Up'ed mark to 13216. Proc still stock (p4-2.26)

edit: cpu @ 2.72 I finish at 14877 with no artifacts: Link

 

[iguanaman]

" cpu @ 2.72 I finish at 14877 with no artifacts"

That an nice score and a nice "soft" upgrade. What brand of card is that 9500? You say ATI in your sig but I thought the mod only works with other makers cards? Who did you order it from? I'm getting sick of waiting for Nvidia, besides $400 is too much for me.

 

[WarSong]

Originally posted by: iguanaman
" cpu @ 2.72 I finish at 14877 with no artifacts"

That an nice score and a nice "soft" upgrade. What brand of card is that 9500? You say ATI in your sig but I thought the mod only works with other makers cards? Who did you order it from? I'm getting sick of waiting for Nvidia, besides $400 is too much for me.

Opps I'll fix that. That's residue from my 8500LE It's a Sapphire that I bought from newegg.com