My new 9500Pro story.

GeneticWeapon · May 11, 2003

9500Pro's are disapearing. I really couldnt afford anything more than $200 bucks when it comes to video cards. So today I bought one. I pulled my trusty 8500LE out and slid my new baby in. Right now, I really have mixed emotions, the 9500Pro is great, but you cannot enable full AA and AF in games, when the games settings are set to max quality(UT2K3). My 3D Mark01 score went from 8,800...to just over 11,000. So thats good I guess. But I think what I'm trying to say is, if you have a pretty good card already, and plan on upgrading...you better go for the fastest card avaliable. It only makes sense. Instead of owning a card that I feel will last me two years(or one)...I feel that an upgrade will be due, before too long. Also, I'm only running 768mb of DDR266. My mobo wont run memory any faster than this. I guess I need a new mobo and memory.....it never ends..

Pictures of my PC & Me!<A HREF="http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html" target="_new">http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html</A>
Melb_Angel=The other white meat!

phial · May 11, 2003

K7S5A is aging, although i was very suprised to see your 3dmark ok that mobo.. seems the chipset itself is very fast, i owned one myself on a Duron1gig but i didtn know it was that fast ... maybe u could flash the bios into a K7S5APRO, as they support DDR333...

and man. i feel your pain.. when i upgraded from my Radeon256 to my 8500LE, i was almost sad. actually i was VERy sad.. i prided myself in that card, and loved its amazing T&L engine (at the time) ....

=(

that O/Cd 8500le ofyours was quite the card man. proof of how amazing the R200 gpu is. nothing compared during its prime..

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"You change the channel, and you change our minds..." - System of a Down

GeneticWeapon · May 11, 2003

Yea...that card is now residing in my Dad's machine....

Pictures of my PC & Me!<A HREF="http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html" target="_new">http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html</A>
Melb_Angel=The other white meat!

Twitch · May 11, 2003

I know how you feel. Sometimes, you get the urge to upgrade, feel overcome by benchmarks, and forget that there has to be a noticeable improvement in performance in order for the investment to be worthwhile. It's like when I upgraded from GeForce 2 GTS to GeForce 3. There was a performance gain, but it wasn't nearly as awesome as I'd hoped. In fact, I swear my 2D graphics were worse with the newer card. I think Visiontek may have been using cheaper RF filters at the time. Be happy though! I spent over $400 on that "upgrade!"

That's why I'm so stoked with my Radeon. Not only is it noticeably faster, but graphics are a LOT better. Since you were already running a Radeon, the difference is probably not noticeable for you.

The Netherlands is where you go when you're too good for heaven. :tongue:

GeneticWeapon · May 11, 2003

I forgot to mention that I almost bought a 3D Prophet 9500Pro, but found that the card came with 3.6ns Infinion BGA memory modules. The BBA board came with 3.3ns.(I bought the BBA), I thought that the Hurcules card matched the ATi card, but in fact, they dont. BBA= Buyer be Aware.

Pictures of my PC & Me!<A HREF="http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html" target="_new">http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html</A>
Melb_Angel=The other white meat!

chuck232 · May 11, 2003

Heh.. well, with aniso and aa, it doesn't improve over the 8500LE?... Truform may not be as efficient, but AA/AF performance should be greatly improved...

...And all the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put my computer back together again...

GeneticWeapon · May 11, 2003

Well, my 8500LE didnt support TruForm. And I couldnt use AA at all in the games I played...because it really slowed my card down. so in that aspect, I'm pretty happy. Also, the clarity of my games has improved alot..this is my second day owning this card, and I'm alot happier with it today then I was yesterday. I must have just been pissy.

Pictures of my PC & Me!<A HREF="http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html" target="_new">http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html</A>
Melb_Angel=The other white meat!

GeneticWeapon · May 11, 2003

Another good thing about my card, is that it came with enough cables, plugs, and dongles to bury a man with.

Pictures of my PC & Me!<A HREF="http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html" target="_new">http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html</A>
Melb_Angel=The other white meat!

AMD_Man · May 11, 2003

Yes, your R8500LE DID support Truform.

Intelligence is not merely the wealth of knowledge but the sum of perception, wisdom, and knowledge.

GeneticWeapon · May 11, 2003

No...not with Catalys 3.2 it didnt. The slider was gone.

Pictures of my PC & Me!<A HREF="http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html" target="_new">http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html</A>
Melb_Angel=The other white meat!

TheGreatGrapeApe · May 12, 2003

Cables and Dongles, Eh!

Yeah my 9600P didn't come with any (which may be their way of saving money). I didn't care too much since I have 8 billion cables around the house, including a 50ft RCA video/audio cable (for video import for pic/pic. The only thing I wish that HAD come with the box was a DVI to VGA BG-15 adapter/dongle. I can get one at the Univeristy for $10CDN ($7US), but I don't want to worry about compatibility issues and would've prefered to get one packaged in the box!

Oh well.

Congrats on the new card, yeah I'm not surprised you're disapointed, the major advantages of the 9500P (Especially over you 'evil forces' 8500, is all the DX9 and advanced features that really aren't fully accessed by todays games.
I would have recommended waiting a LITTLE bit but, since your Dad's using it (did he pay ya' for it, or help with the 9500P?) then it's not like you were simply swapping cards.

Well, I guess now more than ever you've got a reason to have 3Dmk03 on hand. If you can try to bench the old card in your old setup when it arrives, but not that it matters too much (unlike 3Dmk01) about the power of the rig itself.

IF I had known you were going to be getting the 9500 or a DX9 card I could've added a bunch of DX9, PS2.0 demos and added them to the CD. The ATI Gargoyle clock is interesting.
But most of the demos are 10-20 mb so it's not TOO bad dnld them on dial-up.

Once again congrats!

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! RED GREEN :tongue: GA to SK

phial · May 12, 2003

eeeeeeenteresting.. i see that too now that i updated drivers. ffs.. wierd

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<A HREF="http://www.xgr.com" target="_new">XGR-Game Reviews</A>

"You change the channel, and you change our minds..." - System of a Down

dinkster9 · May 12, 2003

wait, you decided to go with the board that was BBA? buyer be aware. as in that's a bad thing or good thing?

"sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick"
*grabs a stick and places it into the flames; mmmm, smores*
%Think before you act would be a good motto%

dinkster9 · May 12, 2003

I want a cd with demo's and crap. Just plunked down 1200 for my system, need something besides diablo 2 to test it out...lol. Before i heard about some FX demo only available for GF FX cards, but i'm assuming that you can download the demo for any card now...but like the other dude, downloading 20+ meg files with a school dialup connection is brutal.

"sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick"
*grabs a stick and places it into the flames; mmmm, smores*
%Think before you act would be a good motto%

phial · May 12, 2003

get Kazaalite going. lots of games on there

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<A HREF="http://www.xgr.com" target="_new">XGR-Game Reviews</A>

"You change the channel, and you change our minds..." - System of a Down

Willamette_sucks · May 12, 2003

Well, sorry Gen, but I don't know how you feel. I've only had 2 comps in my life, and each time theyve been top of the line when they were built. Lol.
But hey! Thats 1337 as fux0r that you got a new card. I didnt even know you were thinking of it.
A system upgrade would definately get more out of that card.
Im surprised youre saying what youre saying... the 9500 COMPLETELY owns the 8500, and you will see a large performance increase when you OC that baby!
Im sure you can run ut2k3 at 1024x768 max detail, 2xAA, 8x perf aniso and get some nice frames.
The 8500 cannot.

So when ya gonna volt mod it, eh?
Swappin coolers?

Off the subject... I was reading Hard OCPs 9800 review (again) and took a look at some UT2k3 screenshots with AA on, on the 9700, 9800, and FX. I hope either the new Dets, or the NV35 fixes nVidias AA. Holy crap ATIs AA quality is WAY better.
I have to admit, ut2k3 at 1024x768 with 6xAA, even 4x on looks amazing. I would take 1024x768 with 4xAA over 1600x1200 ANY day! Their sample pattern and the gamma correction make all the difference! Its great!

Long live ATI.

phial · May 12, 2003

stfu fagrot. some of us have to work for a living. and har har your So dam funny im laughing my ass off right now

(wow that was harsh. lol, i was kidding)
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"You change the channel, and you change our minds..." - System of a DownEdited by phial on 05/12/03 01:18 AM.

GeneticWeapon · May 12, 2003

I'm going to leave it alone till it doesnt have that new card smell, then start to fuckk with it. BTW....my 8500LE was starting to artifact from continuously having the memory clocked at 315mhz...The card was 7 months old.

Pictures of my PC & Me!<A HREF="http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html" target="_new">http://www.lochel.com/THGC/html/Genetic_Weapon.html</A>
Melb_Angel=The other white meat!

TheGreatGrapeApe · May 12, 2003

Sorry Dinkster, I can't send them out to everyone. I can send one package to an 'associate' in the US via company mail, but I'm not risking more. Sorry man.

I was just thinking about it too, had I included any other 'bonuses' I probably wouldn't have been able to use a mini-cd, I had to use a Cursor CD as it was because the files wouldn't fit on a Memorex or Verbatim mini-cd (both 185mb vs Cursor's 200mb).

Do you have an internet cafe nearby? University? I know a bunch of people who trade stuff at the Univ. here, if you ask someone nicely at yours they might burn it for you (provide them the CD, plus maybe pay them a can of pop)

Just a suggestion. Sorry I can't send out cds to everyone.

Your money is worthless, send us your women!

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! RED GREEN :tongue: GA to SK

TheGreatGrapeApe · May 12, 2003

Yeah, early demise is why I don't want to crank the 9600P up permanently. I'll check for top speed, and then back it off. I'll crank it a bit if Doom 3 needs it, but I play Morrowind mainly and it nails that at max settings right now.

Artifacts, isn't that what they found people were looting in Iraq? Why would they WANT those.

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! RED GREEN :tongue: GA to SK

phial · May 12, 2003

hehe...

maxing it out for a half hour or so wont hurt it at all.

-------

<A HREF="http://www.xgr.com" target="_new">XGR-Game Reviews</A>

"You change the channel, and you change our minds..." - System of a Down

TheGreatGrapeApe · May 12, 2003

Yeah man, no worries I just meant long term, but I'l getto crankin the silly-cones.
Actually I'll probably try it tonight or maybe tomorro while I do laundry. I'm still trying to decide which utility to use. I will re-read ll the OC reviews and then decide.
Got any suggestions?

I think I'll leave the window open to cool the room and then leave the case open, might get me a few more mhz if the room temp is 10 degrees celcius.

- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp (or internet account) ! RED GREEN :tongue: GA to SK

dinkster9 · May 16, 2003

so what are the top 5 or 6 tests (programs that i can download) to get all these cool statistics on my computer and stuff. Can someone give me a listing? eager to run some tests, getting tired of sandra 03....

"sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick"
*grabs a stick and places it into the flames; mmmm, smores*
%Think before you act would be a good motto%

dinkster9 · May 16, 2003

just send it to my company then, it will look like you are doing business as usual. Or of course your boss my suspect you are selling office supplies on ebay...lol

"sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep's sick"
*grabs a stick and places it into the flames; mmmm, smores*
%Think before you act would be a good motto%

Twitch · May 16, 2003

Go to <A HREF="http://www.futuremark.com/download/" target="_new">Futuremark</A> and download the free versions of 3DMark2001SE and 3DMark03. Futuremark also has a benchmark program called PCMark2002 that's pretty decent.

The Netherlands is where you go when you're too good for heaven. :tongue:

Edited by Twitch on 05/16/03 01:15 AM.

My new 9500Pro story.

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