ASUS putting 2.86ns memory on their R9600XT(s)

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

<A HREF="http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/S&V/asus_xts.shtml" target="_new">Yet another review</A>, from HotHardware, showing that the initial reference boards were are appearing to be the exception, and not the rule about the memory modules. 2.86ns memory is now filtering into all the R9600XT cards/mrfs. Which is the way it should be, never understood the step backwards in the first place.

Oh yes, also an actual review as well, with benchies for the R9800XT/FX5950 and R9600XT/FX5700U. Interesting Halo results IMO. One of the few to show an FX win, I wonder if the Forceware 53.03 contributed to that. Hopefully the issues found in the <A HREF="http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/gffx/nv38-36.html/nv38-36.html" target="_new">DigitLife FX review</A> about not rendering lights using 52.16 aren't still present.

Too bad they didn't do more Benchmarks with the R9600XT overclocked (576/668 seems a little low though). Nice increase in Gunmetal alone (what about actual GAMES!?!).

Anywhoo, looks like High overclocks on the core and on the memory are back!

<A HREF="http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/S&V/asus_xts.shtml" target="_new">http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/S&V/asus_xts.shtml</A>


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <b>RED GREEN</b> GA to SK

<A HREF="http://www.lochel.com/" target="_new">-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-</A>

 

[Crashman]

Yes, 668 is the STOCK RAM speed for the AIW 9600 Pro, for example, using the same RAM, which is rated to 700 minimum.

You know, if they used 2.2ns RAM they could have a real performer there...

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Yeah but the 2.2ns ram is probably a little pricey. Even the 2.5ns Samsung memory of the R9800XT would be helpful.

The funny thing is that the 2.86ns memory is the very same stuff on my card too, and I've been able to push it to 360mhz without problem so I feel their increase is VERY small for stock cooling, I do have a blowhole right above my card, but seriously 332(668)mhz seems very low, just 7mhz above spec. I though the STOCK speed of the AIW was 650, no? Perhaps that gigantic HSF-thingy on the XT isn't helping when overclocking the ram the way some of the ramsinks on the R9600P seemed to have a negative effect on some overclockers.

BTW, have you added the RamSinks to your card? Just curious how that turned out from your other thread in the 3D chip forum.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <b>RED GREEN</b> GA to SK

<A HREF="http://www.lochel.com/" target="_new">-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-</A>

 

[Crashman]

You're right, I keep thinking it's 667 stock but really it's 650. My mistake. And no, I haven't added any RAMsinks yet. Clocked my RAM down to 760 so it would quit overheating. Maybe sinks later. Still upset that no matter how cool the VPU is, I still can't go over 500.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[HardWareBoss]

Well it'a about time. Like you said they should have done that the first time around.

 

[addiarmadar]

They gotta somehow justify the prices for them....

F-DISK-Format-Reinstal DO DA!! DO DA!!

 

[GeneticWeapon]

The Best Buy's and Comp USA's out here are really loaded down with 9600XT's, but their all BBA's. I think it's good that faster memory is starting to see it's way onto the cards, but I think that there will be a <b>ton</b> of cards sold with the slow memory, in contrast to the newer faster cards that you are talking about being introduced recently.
BTW....my cards memory is clocked at 1Ghz right now , and my first 03 score hit 4 grand...

<b>I help because you suck</b>

 

[HardWareBoss]

Nice OC. How far you taking it?

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Ahh 4 Grand, I know what that's like.

But I did it with 530/360(720), wow nV must be inefficient in their design. :tongue: (aka the AMD argument, HEhe )

So you bought the FX5700U already?

Anything cool straight out of the box?


As for the BBAs, yeah I'm not surprised they aren't moving as well, seriously for now they are a little expensive, and most of the demand has bee, and is still being met by the R9600Pro. Those willing to pay more are also willing to do their research and pick an OEM-partner. I've always been a little dissapointed with that choice. BIG Mistake IMO. If you think about it there has been a bit of a pent-up FX buying desire out there for the past 2+ months, and the 5700 seems like just the right product to unleash that desire, so ATI's penny-pinching memory choice seems like a pretty big misstep to me.

I did submit a question about it for Rage3D's discusion next week. I doubt they will address it, but who knows.
The ASUS board does seem very nice. Right now ASUS is definitely doing the right things to gain my interest for the next generation of cards. We'll have to see what they have to offer before I decide, but I LOVE what they've done with the XT line, and that's their FIRST set of cards for ATI!

Anywhooo enjoy the new card. Give us some feedback when you can.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <b>RED GREEN</b> GA to SK

<A HREF="http://www.lochel.com/" target="_new">-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-</A>

 

[GeneticWeapon]

Yea, I got the 5700U earlier tonight. It's neat because it auto detects how far it can overclock, and does it for you. I havent taken it any farther then what it chose for itself, which was 544/999....I rounded the settings off myself to 545/1.0 just because it sounded better :tongue:
It's too bad I still have this crappo motherboard, but I can tell you that this card is fast, I'm really pleased. I bought the eVGA model that uses the reference cooler front and back. I liked the BFG model also but the cooler was kinda small and the ramsinks were held on with sticky tape, mine has visible paste in all the right places. I havent played with the temp readout in the driver yet, but I think that function is cool also.
I was reading in a thread at nVnews that a Sapphire 9600XT has come to life with 2.8ns Samsung memory, good news for those looking to buy one of those cards. Sapphire are widely available..
<A HREF="http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21457&pagenumber=2" target="_new">http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21457&pagenumber=2</A>

<b>I help because you suck</b>