Radeon 9800 vs. Radeon X1600

[Ceptor]

Im currently using GeForce Ti4200, which runs games on low-medium settings pretty well, without any of the fancy features (HDR, AA). The latest games started to ask for Shader 2.0 support as a minimum.

I have a choice between ATI Radeon 9800 PRO 256MB (AGP) and Sapphire Radeon X1600 PRO 512MB (AGP).

Im not interested in playing games on highest settings - low-medium is enough for me (without HDR ect.), all I care for is that it launches.

Which one of those two cards would you recommend?

Any support would be greatly appreciated.


P.S.: Im new to this community, sorry if my english isn't well, it isn't my first language. Thank you!

 

[angry_ducky]

The X1600Pro is faster than the 9800Pro, and it has Shader model 3, rather than 2. I'd get the X1600Pro.

 

[chocobocorey]

you can get a decent geforce 6 series for AGP. a good 6600 or an ok 6800

 

[firepyro555]

The x1600Pro 512Mb and x1600xt 256Mb are the same price. I don't recommend a x1600Pro. These are only at 500mhz core/390mhz memory. It's 512Mb available memory cannot makeup for the low clocks so it generate bottleneck. An x1600xt got 590mhz core/690mhz memory. mine x1600xt is overclocked to 650mhz core/810mhz memory @64°C and in 3dmark05 the scenes are now flawless.

But if you are to get the best performance for the buck get a 7600gt. it is nearly as powerful as an x1800. THG tested a new model with passive cooling surpassing other cards in performance AND temps AND noise.

peace

you do know that they don't make an AGP version of the X1600XT

 

[shyh]

As NovaThunder noted, you would probably get the best performance/price ratio from the 7600 series

 

[firepyro555]

is there a certain price you have in mind?

 

[linux_0]

Im currently using GeForce Ti4200, which runs games on low-medium settings pretty well, without any of the fancy features (HDR, AA). The latest games started to ask for Shader 2.0 support as a minimum.

I have a choice between ATI Radeon 9800 PRO 256MB (AGP) and Sapphire Radeon X1600 PRO 512MB (AGP).

Im not interested in playing games on highest settings - low-medium is enough for me (without HDR ect.), all I care for is that it launches.

Which one of those two cards would you recommend?

Any support would be greatly appreciated.


P.S.: Im new to this community, sorry if my english isn't well, it isn't my first language. Thank you!

What's the rest of your hardware?

Please post your full specs including the PSU.

Thanks!

 

[angry_ducky]

As NovaThunder noted, you would probably get the best performance/price ratio from the 7600 series

You do know that there are no 7600 cards available for AGP?

 

[prozac26]

As NovaThunder noted, you would probably get the best performance/price ratio from the 7600 series

You do know that there are no 7600 cards available for AGP?
*cough*n00bs*cough*






:lol:

 

[linux_0]

As NovaThunder noted, you would probably get the best performance/price ratio from the 7600 series

You do know that there are no 7600 cards available for AGP?
*cough*n00bs*cough*






:lol:



:lol: :lol: let's stop picking on n00bs we all make mistakes and we were all n00bs once upon a time ;-)

Maybe not all of us :lol: :lol:

 

[firepyro555]

As NovaThunder noted, you would probably get the best performance/price ratio from the 7600 series

You do know that there are no 7600 cards available for AGP?

http://www.theinquirer.org/?article=30223

Don't worry linux, u still cool!

 

[linux_0]

As NovaThunder noted, you would probably get the best performance/price ratio from the 7600 series

You do know that there are no 7600 cards available for AGP?

http://www.theinquirer.org/?article=30223

Don't worry linux, u still cool!




Yes, I believe it's due out in July. :-D

 

[Ceptor]

Thanks to everyone for replying and commenting.

As for Linux_0's request:

CPU: AMD Athlon XP 3200+ (400MHz FSB/512KB Cache)
RAM: 2.0 GB (2x1024MB) of Corsair Memory PC-3200 (400MHz)
Motherboard: Chaintech Summit 7NJL6 (nForce2)
PSU: Thermaltake PurePower 420W (v12)
Hard Drive: Maxtor 80GB (2MB Cache)

Note: Im looking for the comparison for the two cards I mentioned in my main post. I have no interest in other cards for now.
Thanks everyone once again.

 

[prozac26]

X1600 is better, because it's newer. Plus, it has more pipelines.

 

[pengwin]

i believe a 6600GT would be a good choice

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

X1600 is better, because it's newer. Plus, it has more pipelines.

HAha, can I call you n00b?!?

Technically R9800 has more 'pipes'. :tongue:

But definitely the X1600 has more pixel shader power and vertex power.

But the R9800 is feeling a little limited nowadays. Still great as a card to hold on to, but I wouldn't want to buy one new, same goes for the GF6600 series.

IMO only options are X1600P or as alternated GF6800GS/X800GTO.

 

[Crashman]

The 9800 Pro will absolutely STOMP the X1600 Pro in Black & White 2. Really, especially at the intro. The X1600 renders things by default that the 9800 cannot render. But it doesn't have the power to render all that extra detail, hence it's much slower.

The only game I know that's affected is Black & White 2.

 

[linux_0]

The 9800 Pro will absolutely STOMP the X1600 Pro in Black & White 2. Really, especially at the intro. The X1600 renders things by default that the 9800 cannot render. But it doesn't have the power to render all that extra detail, hence it's much slower.

The only game I know that's affected is Black & White 2.

Crashman to the rescue :-D :trophy:

 

[pengwin]

The 9800 Pro will absolutely STOMP the X1600 Pro in Black & White 2. Really, especially at the intro. The X1600 renders things by default that the 9800 cannot render. But it doesn't have the power to render all that extra detail, hence it's much slower.

The only game I know that's affected is Black & White 2.

Crashman to the rescue :-D :trophy:

lol linux

man, no good smilies here, my forum has good smilies

 

[Eviltwin17]

the x1600 is definately a much better choice though you may want to overclock it more. I see alot of other people are saying go with the 9800 or a 6600gt but those cards are losing steam quickly. They already crap out when you try to play games like call of duty 2 or oblivion because they are so old.

 

[dkapke]

I recently did an upgrade from a 9800 Pro to a 1600 Pro, trying to save money and buy some time before I had the funds for my new rig. In the games I played (Dungeon Siege 2, Quake 4, Oblivion), I saw an immediate jump of about 35-45% in FPS.

When I built the new rig, I used an AsRock Dual Sata-2 S939 thinking I'd bring the 1600Pro AGP card over to it and buy me some more time. I promptly spent the $250 (with a $30 rebate) on a X1800XT and finally made the move to PCIe...and haven't looked back.

My advice - don't bother with the 9800 Pro. GREAT card in it's day, but if you're stuck on AGP, the 1600 Pro (or the MUCH more expensive 7800GS) are the only two options to even consider if you want HDR support. If not, you also have the X800 and X850 series, along with the slower 6600GT. I really wanted the 7800GS, but couldn't justify spending $300+ when I could buy a new MB and an X1800XT for the same price and have 5x the performance.

 

[linux_0]

The 9800 Pro will absolutely STOMP the X1600 Pro in Black & White 2. Really, especially at the intro. The X1600 renders things by default that the 9800 cannot render. But it doesn't have the power to render all that extra detail, hence it's much slower.

The only game I know that's affected is Black & White 2.

Crashman to the rescue :-D :trophy:

lol linux

man, no good smilies here, my forum has good smilies

good one!

 

[Whizzard9992]

I have a 9800 Pro and it performs well. Ironically, I was considering upgrading to the X1600 pro, mainly for Pixel Shader 3. I haven't been ablee to justify the cost for mediocre gain. If you're looking for something new, go with the X1600. It's a step up for sure.

I can play battlefield 2 and F.E.A.R. with no problems (800x600); VERY playable at medium settings (I'm not shooting at ink bloches ). I've been pleasantly surprised with the performance of my system on newer games: I don't ever have to cannibalize my settings (save for Civ 4). I haven't tried B&W2, but I have it if I need to install it.

I have my 3dmark specs at home, and I'd be happy to post benches if we can find another person with an X1600 also willing to do the same.

Note that I have a P4 2.4 stock and ECC RAM, so my numbers will probably sag lower than yours will.

 

[firepyro555]

too bad they don't make the 6800GT AGP anymore. it was a good card. Right now in 1 of my computers i have an x1600Pro and it handles things ok. Just for something to run, a 9800 would be fine, but for them to run at medium and be able to adapt to games that will come out later, then the X1600 would be your best shot. Or, if you can wait, since a 9800 AGP would cost around $70, just get the 9800, and then save up and upgrade your whole computer

 

[Crashman]

The x1600Pro got 12/12/5 pipes on 500mhz core/390mhz memory GDDR3 on a 128bit wide bus. It uses shader model 3.0 so setting it to 2.0 put it at same performance level as the 9800Pro

First of all, the X1600Pro has 4 pixel pipelines. Second, there's no easy way I know of to set SM2.0 in B&W2 for the X1600 Pro. Like I said, B&W2 stands out as unusual.

The X1600 Pro is like a 9600 Pro with a bunch of new features added. Some improve performance, others add visual enhancements.