want to buy 9600 Pro 256 MB

  • Thread starter Thread starter MasterChief
  • Start date Start date
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MasterChief

Ok, I decided to buy a 9600 Pro 256MB. I was wondering tho, which
manufacturer would you recommend me? I'm new to "hardware stuff" so any
clues would be appreciated.
Oh, what are some good sites for buying hardware except NewEgg, Pricewatch
and eBay? And also what stores I could go to to find the 9600 Pro? Cuz, I
think it'd be better if I go to a store other than ordering it thru Inet.

Thanks, and sorry for the lame questions.
 
MasterChief said:
Ok, I decided to buy a 9600 Pro 256MB. I was wondering tho, which
manufacturer would you recommend me? I'm new to "hardware stuff" so any
clues would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I've heard good things about most of the cards... they all seem to follow
the reference design, near enough.

I've got a Crucial (which I've heard is a rebadged Sapphire) and have been
pleased, not sure if they do the 9600 though.

Sapphire, Powercolor, ATI (obviously) all good cards.
Oh, what are some good sites for buying hardware except NewEgg, Pricewatch
and eBay?
Click to expand...

eBay is good for buying hardware?
And also what stores I could go to find the 9600 Pro? Cuz, I
think it'd be better if I go to a store other than ordering it thru Inet.
Click to expand...

I order everything over the net now, it's so much easier, wider choice,
cheaper.

Well... I still shop for food locally :-P

Ben
 
I would go with the 128MB version, probably has faster RAM and is less
expensive. Even the 9800pro/xt has very little use of an extra 128MB, so the
256MB r9600pro is an overkill. You might get a 9600xt 128MB for the same
price as 9600pro 256MB, check it out.
 
Vedran said:
I would go with the 128MB version, probably has faster RAM and is less
expensive. Even the 9800pro/xt has very little use of an extra 128MB,
so the 256MB r9600pro is an overkill. You might get a 9600xt 128MB
for the same price as 9600pro 256MB, check it out.
Click to expand...

I'll check it out. I'm just kind of scared from those "XT's" - check the
other thread below. ATi ROCK.

OK, I have this qustion, if you guys have $150-160 what would you buy? Has
to be ATI. Thanks.
 
MasterChief said:
I'll check it out. I'm just kind of scared from those "XT's" - check the
other thread below. ATi ROCK.
Click to expand...

no need to. ATI's 9600xt is a faster version of 9600pro, not much, but it is
faster. And should come with HalfLife2 coupon, and should have temperature
monitoring. Guess that's the best you can get for 150$. Radeon9700 or 9800
(not "9800 SE" !!) would be even better, but that's out of your stated price
range.
 
1110854 ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB AGP(8X) W/DVI & TV-OUT (Retail) Detail Specs (*While Supplies Last!) $172.77 YES

AA23370 ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 256MB 8XAGP DDR WITH TV & DVI (OEM - POWERED BY ATI) Detail Specs $145.00 YES
 
Vedran is right about the faster ram in the 128MB versions (at least this is
the case with PowerColor cards). The Radeon 9600 pro has a effective memory
clock of 600mhz (2 x 300 mhz). The PowerColor 9600 Pro EZ 256 MB card has an
effective memory speed of 400mhz (2x200mhz). That is considerably slower.

I recently bought a ATI 9600 XT video card and it has worked well for me.
When i first bought it, i had a few problems with random reboots. This was
not directly caused by the card. Rather, it was caused by my power supply
not having enough power (it was at its limit before i got the card..... the
card just pushed it a tad over the limit.). But after fixing that, the card
has worked great in my system. Most games run quite well for me with all the
settings maxed out. However, really old games (like worms world party) do
not run properly anymore.

Vedran also mentioned how with the 9600 xt's you get the HL2 coupon. Check
the manufacturer first. I believe right now, only the ATI brand (retail, not
oem) cards include the coupon. I have been told one of the other
manufacturers did, but quit including the coupon. Other manufacturers never
included the coupon in the first place. Some manufacturers may include the
coupon, but check to be sure.
-Josh
 
I have a PowerColor 9600 Pro (128Mb) and it's absolutely fine. So save
yourself some (lots?) $ and don't get the 256Mb model or a brand with a
"better" reputation.
 
JAD said:
1110854 ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 128MB AGP(8X) W/DVI & TV-OUT (Retail) Detail
Click to expand...
Specs (*While Supplies Last!) $172.77 YES
AA23370 ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 256MB 8XAGP DDR WITH TV & DVI (OEM - POWERED
Click to expand...
BY ATI) Detail Specs $145.00 YES

well, free market does wonders for the consumer. Anyway, I still would't
instantly go for the 256MB version before checking clock speeds for both
cards, and making SURE there's no "SE" here. If faced with faster clock vs.
more RAM, I would go with faster clock.
 
Ok, I decided to buy a 9600 Pro 256MB. I was wondering tho, which
manufacturer would you recommend me? I'm new to "hardware stuff" so any
clues would be appreciated.
Oh, what are some good sites for buying hardware except NewEgg, Pricewatch
and eBay? And also what stores I could go to to find the 9600 Pro? Cuz, I
think it'd be better if I go to a store other than ordering it thru Inet.
Click to expand...

gET A True ATI 9600XTwith 128mb for about the same price and have a
better card.
 
That won't work - even if it could it will not solve your problem as the
processor is not able to provide the video card enough data anyway. Sorry
but you are between a rock and a hard place.

Regards Dazzling
 
Guess that's the best you can get for
150$. Radeon9700 or 9800 (not "9800 SE" !!) would be even better, but
that's out of your stated price range.
Click to expand...

Well. actuall 9800 @ 128 MB @ NewEgg is $151. I might go with that!
 
its hammered down version... you could look at the basic specs.. most times it comes down to pipes and type of memory(speed)
 
Look at the specs. and look at the picture of the cards. Slower memory and
it's a different card. Look at where the memory chips are located on the SE
and then the Pro. I would NOT get the SE. I would save my money and go for
the PRO or look for a NON-PRO and over-clock it. You must watch what vendors
offer so you don't get a card that's not what you want and will not play the
games etc. you bought the card for in the first place.

Good shopping
Randy
 
JAD said:
its hammered down version... you could look at the basic specs.. most
times it comes down to pipes and type of memory(speed)
Click to expand...

I finally decided on 9600XT @ 128MB for about $150. Two more qustions tho.

Woudn't it be better if I go with the 256MB?

What vendor to choose? Sapphire, Gigabyte, PowerColor, MSI?


And my specs are:

ASUSTeK P4S266-VX
P4 2.02 GHz
512 MB DDR SD-RAM
GF FX5600XT @ 256 MB
40 GB HD
Sony GPD-220R Monitor (75 hz max)
 
I wouldn't worry about the 256, less it is still in your price range, seems to be little difference($) where I looked.
Getting it would make you upgrade proof for sometime to come. (if all this Direct x hype doesn't get to ya)

Cannot tell you about those brands as I have stuck to the ATI brand, I have heard good things about Sapphire, Customer support and
cooling hardware wise.

Why 75hz max on the monitor? TFT LCD? confused about that spec.
 
JAD said:
Why 75hz max on the monitor? TFT LCD? confused about that spec.
Click to expand...

Cuz, if I go more (up to 150Hz) i get a black screen with the "Out of Range"
messege! :) Don't know if it's from the monitor or the video card. It's
probably the monitor.
 
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