Author Topic: Pricewatch's Radeon... (Read 689 times)

Octavius · « **on:** January 11, 2003, 02:54:12 PM »

reports the cheapest is :

"ATI OEM RADEON 9500 PRO DDR 128MB AGP 8X w/ TV-Out, DVI-I (power by ATI)"

for $176.00 (total with shipping).

I haven't done much research on the Radeon 9500, but I have heard the 9500 pro is the best bang for buck. Manufacturers usually mark up the "best model" of anything almost twice that of the lower models. My Gf3 Ti200 is dogging in certain games (AH - smoke and multiple players) and its time for an upgrade.

Any experiences and/or recommendations?

Thanks!

PS: DVI-I means something like a PS2 can be played through your vid card to the monitor?

Skuzzy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2003, 07:25:39 PM »

DVI = Digital Video Interface

Flat panel monitors typically have this interface on them. It is just another interface for full digital monitors.

If you are considering the 9500, it is worth it to go ahead and get the built-by-ATI retail card. Just thought I would mention it.

The above is not to be taken or construed as any type of recommendation for a product.

Staga · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2003, 08:54:32 PM »

Looks like it's pretty nice card for that price:

Griego · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2003, 02:43:43 AM »

Hmmm, That's strange the Geforce 4 ti 4200 64mb card has better 3D marks than the Geforce 4 ti 4200 128mb card.

Why?

Pfunk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2003, 08:28:55 AM »

64MB GF4ti4200 has faster memory.

lord dolf vader · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2003, 04:53:22 PM »

same for the radion 8500 128/64 but memory is the same no? 275/275

got mine from newegg.com for 92usd with shipping 54 meg version. lovin it.

Pfunk · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2003, 07:47:04 PM »

Buy the STANDARD 9500 with 128 MB of ram, follow this link download a software mod for new RIVAtuner, and walla instant 9700 for $150, overclock it and get a 9700PRO.

Best Deal going for vid cards right now.

http://www.designtechnica.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=58&page=1

Magic · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2003, 03:20:13 PM »

Pfunk-

Worked like a charm... ran the RIVAtuner Soft9700 driver patch and presto!

My R9500 now works just like a R9700. Next step is to flash the bios and try over clocking it to R9700 Pro speeds.

Pfunk · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2003, 05:46:05 PM »

Not a half bad deal for $150 ehh

Wlfgng · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2003, 05:48:51 PM »

let us know how it goes.. I'd like to campare it to my 9700pro

Magic · « **Reply #10 on:** January 24, 2003, 05:04:26 PM »

.....drumroll please.

3D2001SE Mark Score = 10850

Overclocked = 11612

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

Operating System Microsoft Windows 98 SE
DirectX Version 8.1
Mobo Manufacturer ABIT <http://www.abit.com.tw>
Mobo Model VT8366A-8233 (KR7A[-RAID]|[-133[R]])
AGP Rates (Current/Available) 4x / 1x 2x 4x
CPU AMD Athlon(tm) XP/MP/4 @1516 MHz
FSB 144 MHz
Memory 384 MB DDR

Graphics Chipset ATI RADEON 9700/9500 Series
Driver Name RADEON 9700/9500 SERIES
Driver Version 4.14.01.9076
Graphics core : R300
Memory bus : 256-bit
Memory type : DDR SGRAM / SDRAM
Memory amount : 128MB
Core clock : 324.000MHz
Memory clock : 297.000MHz (594.000MHz effective)
Reference clock : 27.000MHz

Program Version 3DMark2001 SE

Resolution 1024x768 32bit
Texture Format Compressed
FSAA Disabled
Z-Buffer Depth 24bit
Frame Buffer Double
Rendering Pipeline D3D Pure Hardware T&L

Test Results

3DMark Score 11612 3D marks

Game 1 Car Chase - Low Detail 142.8 FPS

Game 1 Car Chase - High Detail 45.3 FPS

Game 2 Dragothic - Low Detail 231.7 FPS

Game 2 Dragothic - High Detail 122.3 FPS

Game 3 Lobby - Low Detail 133.6 FPS

Game 3 Lobby - High Detail 59.2 FPS

Game 4 Nature 99.7 FPS

Fill Rate (Single-Texturing) 1647.7 MTexels/s

Fill Rate (Multi-Texturing) 2539.3 MTexels/s

High Polygon Count (1 light) 59.2 MTriangels/s

High Polygon Count (8 lights) 14.4 MTriangels/s

Environment Bump Mapping 283.9 FPS

DOT3 Bump Mapping 202.1 FPS

Vertex Shader 154.7 FPS

Pixel Shader 194.1 FPS

Advanced Pixel Shader 199.5 FPS

Point Sprite 38.9 MSprites/s

Skuzzy · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2003, 05:31:41 PM »

Not bad Magic,..not bad at all.

Pfunk · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2003, 06:52:40 PM »

$150 for a 9700pro,

your welcome