why do you say 9550 not the 9550SE what is the difference ??
is the 9550SE much better than the 9200SE (what i currently have)
thanks
The SE usually is a wimped out version. Like the 9800 SE they lower
the clock /mem speeds and with the higher end models disable some
pipes. Some people have overclocked some boards and reactivated the
pipes getting a much better card for less but thats a real throw of
the dice. You have to read up on which models and often look for good
memory etc
On this one - total confusion. Some reviews talk about the confusion
and one claims this card was meant for Eastern Europe. Toms Hardware
in one article says he isnt going to test some of the variations that
are proliferating the mkt cause they were meant for the OEM mkt and
come in a bewildering variety , some really wimped out with 64 bit
instead of 128 . I havent seen any like it though. What makes it more
confusing is some search engines etc refer to the SE versions and
nonSE versions.
As far as the 9550 its even more confusing cause as far as I can see
there is no difference in the SE and and non-SE versions at least at
Newegg and the reviews Ive seen. All seem clocked at 250/400 and at
least 128 bit and around the same price except for the 256 memory. The
main difference seems to be 128 megs or 256 memory.
http://www.overclockers.co.nz/ocnz/review.php?id=04vga00atir9550sapphireatir95500104
The 9550 is a Direct X9 card while the 9200SE is an 8 .
Heres what the above says:
At the default clock, 250C/400M, the R9550 is unable to provide a
smooth frame rate for modern games at a resolution of 1024*768 and
above. Users need to be prepared to settle for 640*480 in modern
games.
If the users feel comfortable to use the hacked firmware or driver,
this R9550 has the potential of becoming the pricier R9600.
I dont see it included in any large video card overviews so its hard
to say. The closest Ive seen is a 9200SE compared to a 5200 which is
fairly close. And then they compare a 5200 to a 9550 . The 9550 is
faster but both they say arent really game cards. Comments range from
OK to run games at lower resolutions and some of the effects off to
Newegg consumers who claim it runs a lot of new games OK.
If I were in the US - Id scour the sales and wait for a hot deal on a
5900 or somewhere around that level card etc. Something maybe a little
more powerful in the low $100s. At the moment the 5900s are closer to
$200. The new 6600 nvidia close to $100 is OK but so far its only PCI
express. There seems to a weird thing going on --- Ive checked lately
and the PCI express cards are starting to proliferate so if you just
check avg prices its actually easier to get a PCI express card at a
better deal in the low mid range and mid range maybe.
However if you really wait for the big discount sales - you can still
get an AGP mid and higher end if they have such versions , at a better
deal like my 6800 which I got for $200 , which they had two separate
sales on at Compusa. However as the months go on this may disappear as
PCI express takes over more.
