need your expertise/opinion guys

[StrikerNR]

I am thinking of replacing my sapphire 9000pro with either sapphire 9500 non-pro or the ATI 9600pro. But i don't which of the two options above i have i should go with.

I read/heard here and at other forums that the 9500 non-pro could be softmod to a 9700. Is it still possible? If yes, is it risky? Do i run the risk of damaging the card?

On the other hand, i read reviews on ati 9600 claiming with benchmarks that it could be overclocked to perform nearly as equally as the 9700.
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NDY0
http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files...r9600_pro.shtml

Sapphire 9500 non-pro OEM $199 cdn
ATI 9600pro retail $243 cdn

So which one should i go for or should i even bother upgrading ?

Also i have general questions about overcloking. Is it always safe to overclock your card to a reasonable limit? What are the major disadvantages of overclocking?

 

[CasualCat2001]

Changing either of those cards from their original configuration has risk either way. No 2 cards are going to overclock the same either. Look at GrapeApe's overclock results vs mine for example. I couldn't go any higher without artifacts and other problems, but he was able to go higher. Personally I don't like a lot of risks, but then I'm a paranoid SOB. Reading your post it seems you are concerned about possibly damaging your cards at which I would suggest doing neither of the modifications to either card since either could potenially damage the cards...

 

[Nights_L]

Radeon9500 np and Radeon9600Pro..
I vote for Radeon9600Pro

 

[StrikerNR]

where can i see your results. What card you have?

Yea, i don't want to end up over-heating and thus damaging my card. I ruind my Voodoo2 not a while ago trying to overclock it. It just couldn't take the pressure.
But i wouldn't hesitate to overclock, if i know there won't be any there are repercussions.


<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by StrikerNR on 07/03/03 01:11 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[CasualCat2001]

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=874147" target="_new">my results</A>
I don't keep my card overclocked though. I just wanted to see what it could do. I am currently running it at stock speeds again.

 

[StrikerNR]

3953 is a very good overclocking score. What do you get at stock speed?

 

[cleeve]

Close call, but I'd say 9600 PRO.

Yes, ann 9500 non-pros can be modded to at least a 9500 PRO and in some cases a 9700. But the mod does not always work.
9500 non-pros do overclock well, though. But 9600s are pretty much guaranteed to be good overclockers.

Having said that, I have an overclocked 9500 non-pro that gets me 3500 3dMark03 marks, and I'm very happy with it.

------------------
Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Take another look at my TYAN review. It's not a Guarantee, as I've said before. But there appears to be 'on average' alot of GOOD and GREAT overclockers out there.

Just to plug my card R9600Pro running @ 500/349(698) = 4040 3Dmk03

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=989852" target="_new">http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=989852</A>

And that's not even my best (4168 @ 533/363).

Just don't expect that from ALL 9600Pros


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com" target="_new"><font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK

 

[StrikerNR]

wow! 4168. That's a little high for a 9600pro.
Nice score BTW.
I wonder how far can i push my Sapphire Radeon 9000PRO 64MB DDR?


Processor: Intel P42.4B 533Mhz processor
Memory: PC2700 DDR333 512MB single memory chip
Hard Drive: Fujitsu 20GB hard drive
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon 9000PRO 64MB DDR video card.
Soundcard: SoundBlaster Live! Value
Motherboard: ASUS P4P800 Delux (intel 865PE)
OS: Windows XP Professional.

 

[GeneticWeapon]

wow! 4168. That's a little high for a 9600pro.

Yes, it is a little high for a 9600Pro. All the picture's I've seen of Grape, he's been out in the Canadian snow. My conspiracy theory is that he benchmarks his PC out in he snow

Please refrain from personal attacks of other users and the use of foul language or you'll be banned. Last warning. - Fredi

 

[CasualCat2001]

sorry for slow reply...stock speed is: 3320

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

GW, ya Caught me. I put my card on an External AGP port and mount it ontop of me Igloo.

Heck I use it to Steer me Ice-flow, that way I gets Water Coolin' too by!

Actually it was a cool day that day, but not winter. Heck it's 22c out right now. (was in the 30s last weekend) That's 72f/86f+ for you Heather Americans and your Imperial Measurement ways! :tongue: It actually hit 37 one day last week (97f). And of course on tuesday it was down to about 11/52. Freakin' Calgary weather!

Speaking of Overclocking, they got the Volt Mod for the 9600Pro in detail in that thread you pointed me too in Rage3D. Interesting, but not worth it yet (I can play everything right now). One guy has his Memory @ 380+ (391 IIRC) and I saw a few cores in the high 500s (560+).

Just thought you'd like to know. Perhaps a GOOD thing (FOR ME!) we're not still goping at it toe to toe, I'd definitely have tried that to win.



- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! <A HREF="http://www.redgreen.com" target="_new"><font color=green>RED</font color=green> <font color=red>GREEN</font color=red></A> GA to SK