I have read alot of post concernings the 9500np > 9700 mod.
I am looking to buy a good value for money card and have decided that the 9500np is good value and if i can mod it all the better.
My question is this: If i buy a 'RADEON 9500 64MB DDR 8X' is it certainly going to have a 128-bit DDR memory. Do i have to get a 128mb version to have the 256-bit bus? I understand that i can still have a chance to turn it into a 9500 pro if its 128-bit, is this corrrect?
I know the mod enables the four missing pipelines. That makes a 256-bit 9500 non-pro into a 9700 non-pro, and makes a 128-bit 9500 non-pro into a 9500 Pro.
Official specs:
9700 Pro, 8 pipes, 256-bit
9500 Pro, 8 pipes, 128-bit
9500 Non-Pro, 4 pipes, 128-bit.
So the hack should enable the other four pipes, so the "non-standard" 256-bit card becomes a 9700 while the 128-bit card becomes a 9500 Pro.
So what do we know about the 64mb mods? What do i look out for on the card - the 'L' shape memory again? I would be quite plesed if i could mod it to a pro as i understand they outperform the 9600. I have a short list of the cards i want to buy which are, but price is a concern here. What do you think about the price/performance/longativity:
*Ge-force fx5600 (normal) £100.00
*Ge-force ti4200 £67.36
*Radeon 9600np £86.50
*Radeon 64mb 9500np £91.50


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The 4200 are the best buys for around £100 (Dabs do 128MB for £75!). They are faster than the Rad9600 or FX5600 but obviously lack DX9 and top notch AA+AF. Almost all 4200 can exceed 4400 speeds but 128MB gfx RAM is going to hurt your perf though. If you want DX9 and top AA+AF the Rad9600PRO is the best buy as the FX5600ultra isn't as fast and costs more and the FX5600ultra V2 (flipchip) is way over-priced and only offers comparable perf to 9600PRO. The 9500nonPRO as said are not really moddable anymore (esp with 64MB) and stock perf is awful anyway. The 9500PRO are certainly better than 9600PRO but most likely more pricey IF you can find one. Rad9700nonPRO can be had for £150 (search Grandmars) and those are WAY better than all the cards mentioned above ... plus they tend to o/c past Rad9700PRO speeds!