Would You Buy An OEM 9800 Pro?

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nubis

I've seen a Sapphire 9800Pro on the web for a decent price and was
wondering if it would be a good idea to buy it. Are there any
performance shortcoming to buying the OEM version, and am I missing
anything that might be in the box that I won't be getting with OEM?
And is there a full warranty that would come with OEM or would it be a
scaled down version like 90 days? Thank you.
 
I just got one, its doing 432Mhz core clock out of the box with stock
cooling. It doing 452Mhz with some artifacts but no lockups.

I paid $198 shipped from newegg.com
 
nubis said:
I've seen a Sapphire 9800Pro on the web for a decent price and was
wondering if it would be a good idea to buy it. Are there any
performance shortcoming to buying the OEM version, and am I missing
anything that might be in the box that I won't be getting with OEM?
And is there a full warranty that would come with OEM or would it be a
scaled down version like 90 days? Thank you.
Click to expand...

Yes I would. But I'd make sure it's not the 128bit version that Sapphire
offers along with the 256bit version.
 
I checked mine and its certainly 256bit.

The 128bit one is not a 'pro' I assume. I'm sure all pro's are 256bit,
right?
 
fish said:
I checked mine and its certainly 256bit.

The 128bit one is not a 'pro' I assume. I'm sure all pro's are 256bit,
right?
Click to expand...

All real Pro's are 256bit. I believe there was an issue earlier with
Sapphire selling the 128bit version in a 9800 Pro box with a 128bit sticker
on it. There were several mentions on this n/g about this. On all the
websites I've seen now, the 128bit version is clearly labeled as such and
not called a 9800 Pro.
 
All real Pro's are 256bit. I believe there was an issue earlier with
Sapphire selling the 128bit version in a 9800 Pro box with a 128bit sticker
on it. There were several mentions on this n/g about this. On all the
websites I've seen now, the 128bit version is clearly labeled as such and
not called a 9800 Pro.
Click to expand...
I believe it was a Sapphire so I will need to check that out as I
haven't purchased yet.
 
fish said:
I just got one, its doing 432Mhz core clock out of the box with stock
cooling. It doing 452Mhz with some artifacts but no lockups.
Click to expand...

Nah, you wanted the X800XTPE, you have "only" 8 pipelines :-p

Ben
 
I will have an X800XT sooner then you my friend. I'm currently spending a
small fortune on audio gear that has my mind occupied.

The only reason why I bought a video card now is because while installing a
water cooler in my case, a Swiftech NB block ripped the hold down hooks out
of the board, fell onto the 9700pro and damaged it. I returned the NB block
and put a large Thermalright one on it with a silent 40mm fan. I also added
a second radiator and basicially have the PC running silent and
overclocked - best of both worlds.

Why was I installing a water cooling system in my PC? Because its in my
audio listening room and it wasn't quiet enough. I've been building and
OCing PC for years now. I use to spend time on these NG groups but tired of
them. My unplanned recent and premature endeavor in video cards made me seek
out some information and conversation. And like all hobbies, I can easily
enjoy this one even if it was unplanned. However, my passion right now is
for HiFi audio. Want to talk about tubes? Vacuum tubes, wire and
capacitors - that's where my interest is today. I'm looking at some great
MIT S3's for $350/meter, fixed impedance and that's cheap!
If I really wanted the X800XT I'd just go and buy one but its not on my
priority list and thus not worth the extra cash for it over the 9800pro
which is working out well for now. When the summer is over and I start
getting bored with the audio system, I'll stick the 9800pro in my 5 year old
son's PC and pick myself up whatever is fastest at the time.
From what I am reading, it'll likely be an NV40 but I sure hope its a Radeon
because I like ATI. However, ATI MUST work out its OpenGL issues since I am
mostly interested in the Doom3, Quake4 and similar games. The only other
games I play are Unreal Tournament and Civilization, all the others bore me
too quickly - I'm now a game junkie, I also use my PC for work (audio and
video mixing) and store literally tens of thousands of songs from my CD
collection. Remember I said I was a HiFi junkie? My PC is also a giant
jukebox and entertainment machine, its not just about video games for me -
I'm not 15 years old!

Oh and yes, the X800 Pro isn't good enough for me! When I buy another video
card, it'll be something special. The 9800pro is a Band-Aid. I actually
started out buying a refurbished 9800pro for $160 which was just so darn
cheap, but it was also broken on arrival. I then saw newegg selling OEM
9800pro for $198 and just ordered one on the spot, cheap and fast!


So whats your story?
 
Vacuum tubes, wire and capacitors - that's where my interest is today.
I'm not 15 years old!

Oh and yes, the X800 Pro isn't good enough for me! When I buy another video
card, it'll be something special. So whats your story?
Click to expand...

Capacitors - I have 9ea "Mallory" 44000 MFD 100 VDC
POS + 85C Max Surge 125 VDC 3"dia 9"tall

Any ideas what they might be good for? I was thinking a PC
power supply upgrade, sorta super stable rails. I heard that
similar caps are used in audio circuits, not sure how though.

When I was 15, Sean Connery was still 007.

I may hold out until I need a PCI-X card.

Luck;
Ken

P.S. I think Ben was pulling your leg.
 
fish said:
I will have an X800XT sooner then you my friend. I'm currently spending a
small fortune on audio gear that has my mind occupied.
Click to expand...

I thought you'd plonked me? Well it certainly sounds like your dick is
bigger than mine, well done.
However, my passion
right now is for HiFi audio. Want to talk about tubes? Vacuum tubes, wire
and capacitors - that's where my interest is today.
Click to expand...

Tubes? Pah, I suppose they make the sound "warm" eh? I.e., low pass pass
filter, poor reproduction. But whatever turns you on. Audio is engineering
and tubes don't cut it, but if you prefer the sound then go ahead. At the
end of the day it's about the music, and thats art which is clearly a
personal preference.
Remember I said I was a HiFi junkie? My PC
is also a giant jukebox and entertainment machine, its not just about
video games for me - I'm not 15 years old!
Click to expand...

Neither am I. Without my PC I'd be unable to do my job, which is software
development.
So whats your story?
Click to expand...


Engineering background, not long out of Uni. My biggest passion to date was
the FS race we built. Videos on my website - I was driving.

Ben
 
Ken said:
P.S. I think Ben was pulling your leg.
Click to expand...

Oh there's previous history in another thread. I was baiting him - he said
he'd plonked me, guess not.

Thing is, I think we could have a decent conversation but we've pissed each
other off for some reason. Must have both had a bad day or something.

Ben
 
Those specs are way off what I am familiar with, I know tubes better then
caps. High voltage?

Sean Connery was still 007 - Hehehe and Dona Summers was Pop Star!


I too may hold out until I need a PCI-X card. The new Intel chipsets, from
what I have read recently, don't appear to be all that great. Intel (and AMD
for that matter) seem hell bent on stopping overclocking. DDR2 has horribly
high latencies with no more abandwidth the my XMS3500 which makes over
5500mb/sec at 200Mhz.

My guess is that all will mature this time next year.

BTW: While I was messing with the water cooler, I tried a P4e 2.8. Had poor
overclock experience and it produced WAY more heat then the P4c that I had.
In the end I kept the P4c 2.6 which runs faster (OC) and cooler by a large
margin then the P4e 2.8 I had. Could have been a bad chip (it was a retail
box one) but what I guess I'm trying to say is that technology needs to
level out and mature.
 
I hate censorship.


Ben Pope said:
Oh there's previous history in another thread. I was baiting him - he said
he'd plonked me, guess not.

Thing is, I think we could have a decent conversation but we've pissed each
other off for some reason. Must have both had a bad day or something.

Ben
Click to expand...
 
You obviously don't know the first thing about tubes.

Its overwhelmingly accepted that the level of quality from tube designs
surpass that of anything solid state up to $10,000 as a general rule, there
are exceptions.

'...Audio is engineering and tubes don't cut it...'
LOL!! - go here (http://www.decware.com) read a little, then look for the
form at Decware's site and tell that to some of the regulars (most are Audio
Engineers).
 
fish said:
You obviously don't know the first thing about tubes.

Its overwhelmingly accepted that the level of quality from tube designs
surpass that of anything solid state up to $10,000 as a general rule,
there are exceptions.

'...Audio is engineering and tubes don't cut it...'
LOL!! - go here (http://www.decware.com) read a little, then look for the
form at Decware's site and tell that to some of the regulars (most are
Audio Engineers).
Click to expand...

Well I took a look at their cables first as this tends to be where most
bullshit is:

http://www.decware.com/cables/designnotes.htm
"In these new cables wanting both halves of the sinewave to be treated the
same, matching conductors are run in parallel to each other with no twists
or braids or external shields to complicate the interaction between
conductors"

Hmm, bullshit. Since when would each half of the sine wave be treated
differently? Thats entirely equivalent to connecting the cable the other
way round and it having different electrical properties. Bullshit at it's
best.

I suppose at around $80/m and $25 for each connector they have to say
*something* to sell them.


OK, over to tubes, preamps:
http://www.decware.com/linestage/zp1.htm
"In fact, if you have a high power solid state amplifier, this is an
absolute must"

OK, presumably to make the sound of the solid state amp sound warm and
fuzzy, just the way you like it. That statement alone says that it adds
audible distortion.

OK, so it uses the 61NP tube, would that be anything like this $7 tube (and
thats only in quantities of 10):
http://www.conusaudio.com/Specs/6N1PEV.pdf

"designed for amplification of low-frequency voltage" Well there's a
useless statement. 20KHz is audible, but is it low-frequency? Hmm, I
dunno. Compared to DC no, compared to Bluetooth carrier? Yes. Lets keep
investigating...

OK, can't find very much, well... nothing quantitative.

Anyway, I think $575 for what is essentially a $7 part with a pretty box
seems like a high markup.


OK, just been looking at the SE84C power amp:
http://www.decware.com/zpage3.htm

OK, so the frequency response seems pretty flat from 30Hz to 20KHz. Again
it uses te 61NP. For some reason I don't seem to be able to find any specs
on distortion. Don't care any more.

Like I said, whatever floats your boat. It's subjective and if spending
that sort of money makes the music sound better to you, good. I'm glad.
Enjoy.

Ben
 
fish said:
You obviously don't know the first thing about tubes.

Its overwhelmingly accepted that the level of quality from tube designs
surpass that of anything solid state up to $10,000 as a general rule,
there are exceptions.

'...Audio is engineering and tubes don't cut it...'
LOL!! - go here (http://www.decware.com) read a little, then look for the
form at Decware's site and tell that to some of the regulars (most are
Audio Engineers).
Click to expand...

Here's an interesting article on their site, by their design engineer:
http://www.decware.com/paper07.htm

"Just below clipping, a well designed transistor amplifier well have almost
unmeasurable distortion. High power transistor amplifiers today are so good
and so cheap, there is no excuse for them to go into clipping"

"The even-order distortion that tubes produce is still distortion, but some
call it "euphonically correct", and, with a tube amplifier you can't turn it
off, it's always there. If I want this kind of possibly desirable coloration
in my music listening, I would add a tube stage that is voltage starved
which will slightly exaggerate this effect"

Exactly what I said. Tubes distort more than solid state, but if you like
the sound, good. Buy a tube.

Can't say fairer than from the design engineer at the website you suggest I
read.

Comments?

Ben
 
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