Some of you may remember about two months ago when my ASUS 9800Pro 256MB fried (if you need a refresher--<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/hardware/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=412782#412782" target="_new">here is the thread</A>). Well, I just got back from school to find a nice, new (well, refurbed at least) 9800XT sitting on my desk (parents didn't tell me!) at home.
Anyway, I was surprised to say the least. 1) I sent my 9800Pro with an XT bios out (obvious void of warranty), 2) ASUS doesn't cover burnt cards (why? I really don't know), 3) I got a 9800XT back. Anyway, since I'm home I don't have any thermal paste to use to install my Zalman HP80D on it (which is just chilling on my ATi 9800Pro 128MB, so I probably could manage if I scraped off that AS5). Nonetheless, this card OCs very well (so far, haven't actually pushed it yet). I'm at 440/385 with zero artifacts so far (stock cooler with a 120mm fan blowing from the side) after an hour of D3 and about 40 minutes of 3DMark03 Nature. It's also great to have VIVO and temp monitoring back...no more having to go to the common room to play San Andreas and temp monitoring is just nice.
As for its performance relative to its 128MB counterpart (I had my ATi flashed to an XT), it's the same (hotfix 8.07 nor CAT4.12b do much of anything) except in D3 (crap game, just it's my most stressful game/benchy) and GT1 of 3DMark05. GT1 is a good 45% faster with the extra RAM while D3 is nominally faster (about a 5% increase at 10x7, 0xAA0xAF, HQ).
I'm debating between getting an ATi Silencer 3 and lapping it or just sticking with my HP80D and lapping it. I'd kind of like to sell the ATi w/HP80D and use the money for some games (like HL2...can't believe I don't have that yet!) or a sound card (my Audigy is on the fritz).
Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.
Anyway, I was surprised to say the least. 1) I sent my 9800Pro with an XT bios out (obvious void of warranty), 2) ASUS doesn't cover burnt cards (why? I really don't know), 3) I got a 9800XT back. Anyway, since I'm home I don't have any thermal paste to use to install my Zalman HP80D on it (which is just chilling on my ATi 9800Pro 128MB, so I probably could manage if I scraped off that AS5). Nonetheless, this card OCs very well (so far, haven't actually pushed it yet). I'm at 440/385 with zero artifacts so far (stock cooler with a 120mm fan blowing from the side) after an hour of D3 and about 40 minutes of 3DMark03 Nature. It's also great to have VIVO and temp monitoring back...no more having to go to the common room to play San Andreas and temp monitoring is just nice.
As for its performance relative to its 128MB counterpart (I had my ATi flashed to an XT), it's the same (hotfix 8.07 nor CAT4.12b do much of anything) except in D3 (crap game, just it's my most stressful game/benchy) and GT1 of 3DMark05. GT1 is a good 45% faster with the extra RAM while D3 is nominally faster (about a 5% increase at 10x7, 0xAA0xAF, HQ).
I'm debating between getting an ATi Silencer 3 and lapping it or just sticking with my HP80D and lapping it. I'd kind of like to sell the ATi w/HP80D and use the money for some games (like HL2...can't believe I don't have that yet!) or a sound card (my Audigy is on the fritz).
Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.
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