Which video card to buy: Radeon 9500Pro or 9600Pro (and which particular 9600Pro)

[IgoByte]

I am now in need of a new video card and am debating as to whether to pick up a 9600Pro or a 9500Pro. What do you guys think? I understand that the 9600Pro has a faster core and memory, but the 9500Pro seems like the more advanced card overall, and it also appears possible to convert it into the 9700Pro, which is not bad for under $200. The 9600Pro runs a little cheaper, but I don't know what it has over the 9500Pro, and how overclockable it is.

Also, looking at newegg's selection of 9600Pro's, I see several (from three different brands) cards, ranging in price from $160 to $185. Why is this the case and what's the difference between these cards? Is it better to buy an ATI-built card or to go with a different brand, such as Sapphire or Powercolor? The most expensive card, a Powercolor, states that its memory speed is 340Mhz, whereas other 9600Pro cards are 300 or lower). Is this just a marketing gimmick or are other cards really that much slower? I was under the impression that the memory that ATI uses for these cards is rated at 350Mhz, although the default speed would be 300Mhz. If this $185 card is indeed the "best" of the bunch, is it worth the extra dough?

Well, I think that about sums it all up for now. I'd appreciate any help on this, because I'm having a real dilemma.

Thanks in advance.

 

[IgoByte]

anyone?

 

[Markfw]

For the price range you are in, get a 9700 pro, and you won't be sorry (about $200 I think)

 

[Intelman07]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
For the price range you are in, get a 9700 pro, and you won't be sorry (about $200 I think)

Where do you see a 9700 Pro for 200 bucks!!!!!!!!?

 

[wakkoguy]

What about the 9800 np is that any good?

 

[extro]

Sapphire cards are fine. I don't think the Powercolor cards are worth the extra $$$ since you can overclock a Sapphire to match them in performance.

As for your dilemma, 9500 Pro vs. 9600 Pro, it seems simple at first. The 9500 Pro benchmarks faster at stock speed plus it can be overclocked, but that doesn't necessarily mean the 9600 Pro is a dud.

It's easier to overclock the 9600 Pro, and I think Sapphire even includes a utility to do it with their retail package. With the 9500 Pro you have to flash the BIOS before you can OC it. The 9600 Pro has faster memory and the chip is based on a 13u process, versus 15u for the 9500 Pro, so the 9600 Pro can take a higher percentage overclock, plus it draws less power. The 9600 Pro doesn't need an external power connector, so it'll tax your power supply less.

It's such a close call, that only you can decide which card will suit you best, but most reviewers say to grab the 9500 Pro while you can find it.


Viper Lair 9500 Pro review

HardOCP 9600 Pro Review

Anand's 9600 Pro Review

Tom's 9600 Pro Review

Extreme Overclocking 9600 Pro Review

(edited to add some links)

 

[Blastman]

Some of the Sapphire 9600pro?s have only 3.3ns Samsung memory which will not overclock past the 300mhz default by very much. This memory will usually make it only to about 310 ?315mhz.

I know the Sapphire 9600pro Fireblade edition comes with the good 2.8ns Samsung that usually makes it to at least 350mhz.

PowerColor 9600pro ..2.8ns Samsung
ATI retail 9600 pro ? 2.8ns Samsung

The 9500 pro is a little faster than the 9600pro but they?re being discontinued and may be hard to find. The 9600pro overclocks a little better than the 9500pro so when they?re both overclocked the performance is very close.

If I was going to pay any more than about $165 ?170, I would consider a 9700 non-pro for around $200. It has the full 256bit memory bus (unlike the 9500pro?s 128bit bus) and can usually make it close to 9700pro speeds overclocked. At higher resolutions than 10x7 and with AA/AF turned on the 9700?s performance will really start to pull away from the 9600/9500?s. The 9700 non-pro has major league performance for a high-end-mid-range price.

The one big advantage to the 9600pro is that it doesn?t use much power and is runs very cool. Doesn?t need that extra power connector.

 

[Blastman]

The Sapphire 9600pro?s with 3.3 may be the OEM models. That retail 9600pro Sapphire Atlantis in that extreme review also came with the 2.8?s. Hopefully all the retail models have 2.8?s

 

[Corporate Thug]

i got a 9700pro and a 9600pro. the 9600 pro is built by ATi and Oced to 525/375. at these speeds, it gives my 9700pro a run for its money

 

[randumb]

Originally posted by: extro
Sapphire cards are fine. I don't think the Powercolor cards are worth the extra $$$ since you can overclock a Sapphire to match them in performance.

As for your dilemma, 9500 Pro vs. 9600 Pro, it seems simple at first. The 9500 Pro benchmarks faster at stock speed plus it can be overclocked, but that doesn't necessarily mean the 9600 Pro is a dud.

It's easier to overclock the 9600 Pro, and I think Sapphire even includes a utility to do it with their retail package. With the 9500 Pro you have to flash the BIOS before you can OC it. The 9600 Pro has faster memory and the chip is based on a 13u process, versus 15u for the 9500 Pro, so the 9600 Pro can take a higher percentage overclock, plus it draws less power. The 9600 Pro doesn't need an external power connector, so it'll tax your power supply less.

It's such a close call, that only you can decide which card will suit you best, but most reviewers say to grab the 9500 Pro while you can find it.


Viper Lair 9500 Pro review

HardOCP 9600 Pro Review

Anand's 9600 Pro Review

Tom's 9600 Pro Review

Extreme Overclocking 9600 Pro Review

(edited to add some links)

The Tyan Tachyon 9500 Pro can be OCed without flashing the bios.

 

[Corporate Thug]

i remeber looking for the tyan 9500/9700 pro about a month ago and i couldnt find a single place to get them