9800 pros and upcoming games.

[blockers]

Hi guys.

I am currently running a ti4200, and it is just about hanging in there, but i want to upgrade in August. I want to be able to play Doom3, HL2, stalker etc in at least 1024 resolution, im not really too bothered about AA/AF, although a little bit would nice. Bearing this in mind, what card should i be looking at getting?

I was hoping to get a 9800 pro for £130ish, but will this run the games meantioned to my requirements?

Thanks.

[Lord Kordir]

Yeah, thinking the same thing really but I want to run at 1280 res

[Howard]

It'll be fine as long as you don't whack up the resolutions and AA levels to stupid levels

[guybrush]

Hah, I have a geeforce 4 ti 4200, its a nice runner isnt it . I really need to upgrade for similar reasons. The 9800pros seem cheap but theres a 9800xt with hl2 (which is 30squid right there) for 190 on ocuk. So I dunno what I should get really.

I hear the zalman heatsink is pretty much mandatory for the 9800xts

[Lord Kordir]

Isn't the performance of the 9800xt meant to be not that much better than a 9800 pro?

[Kezzer]

Only a tiny tiny bit. Imo, just get an X800 or 6800 series if you really want to go high end. Just wait a bit first. I think Doom 3 has trouble running on a 9800 Pro anyway.

[Lord Kordir]

Trouble is there is a massive price difference between them £140 compared to £300. They aren't really comparable

[Donny John]

You can flash the XT BIOS onto a 9800 Pro, so it runs at the same speeds, works a treat usually. Did mine, no probs, great card Not worth the extra cash for X800 atm imho

[evil_king]

Be very careful which 9800pro card you get as the low prices are due to modified versions with only half the bandwith (256-->128bit). This reduces performance considerably so do your research before you buy a 9800 pro. Sapphire have already issued a press release on the status of the bandwith on its 9800pro cards (find it on their main site).

[Stoo]

SAPPHIRE Responds to 128-bit RADEON 9800 ATLANTIS Product Confusion
Since the roll-out of the SAPPHIRE 128-bit version of RADEON 9800 PRO core into the
channel it has been brought to our attention that this model is being met with some confusion and for
this we would like to extend our sincere apologies. Keeping with our level of interaction within the
community, Sapphire is moving to alleviate said confusion by renaming the 128-bit version to the
SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800 ATLANTIS and we are instructing each of our retail partners to clearly
and prominently list the 128-bit specification. Further to this end, the SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800
ATLANTIS 128-bit products boxes will now be labeled with an oversized 128-bit sticker on the
boxes face as well. Inquiries have been made into our retail partners and the investigation has
yielded no findings that any of our loyal customers have been charged the 256-bit price for the 128-
bit part. SAPPHIRE encourages any of our customers who purchased a 128-bit part under the
assumption that it was 256-bit part to exercise your right to return your product. Should you have
difficulty finding satisfaction with your retailer, SAPPHIRE continues to stand firmly behind our
products and asks you to contact SAPPHIRE directly.
Please make sure you have the correct part# for upgrade and that it did not come in the box pictured
below.
128MB Model: Part#1024-1C47-00-SA
256MB Model: Part#1024-2C47-00-SA
For end users in the U.S. who can not return the product to the supplier feel free to contact 909-594-
3128. You will need to present the product, sales receipt and provide the discounted retail price
difference of US$25.
For end users in Europe please mail request for upgrades to 9800pro@sapphiretech.de
For end users in Asia contact +852-2687-8888 and request the procedure for upgrade.
SAPPHIRE welcomes any and all inquiries into this matter in keeping with our commitment to our
customers and welcomes the opportunity to continue to help outfit the gaming community with the
industries most widely respected and innovative products."
North American Press contact e-mails to: stephen@blue-alien.com

[guybrush]

So , could someone in the know go on ebuyer and find me a decent 9800pro 128mb without any of this 128bit malarky. The descriptors never seem to describe the products well enough I find.

[Shogun]

So , could someone in the know go on ebuyer and find me a decent 9800pro 128mb without any of this 128bit malarky. The descriptors never seem to describe the products well enough I find.

Go to microdirect and buy the connect3d 9800pro 128mb. Its defo 256bit as ive got the box sitting next to me

[guybrush]

Ta shogun, almost makes it worth me giving up me nick

I say this recently, http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=64049
Looks pretty cheap considering you get HL2 with it, if you really must have the XT

[Shogun]

There are going to be massive waiting times for people with HL2 vouchers when the game finally gets released. My advice would be to get the 9800pro 128mb and buy hl2 with the money saved when it comes out

[guybrush]

Yeah, the 9800pro 128 seems the way to go for us financially minded gents, I might wait till my geeforce 4 falls over in doom3 till I replace tho.. or maybe till half life 2 goes gold.

[Shogun]

or maybe till half life 2 goes gold.

You might be keeping that card for a while