Radeon 9600 Pro

[Scupper]

I'm thinking of replacing my GF3 Ti200 with an Excalibur 9600 Pro and I would like to be sure that the difference will be noticeable and worth paying for (having just lost my job...). I have an Athlon 1700+ and love playing IL-2 but I currently have to lower the settings from what I'd like.

Seems like the 9600 Pro is pretty highly thought-of around here as a mid-level card, but I don't want to part with money and find I'm not much better off graphically.

Any comments much appreciated.

 

[cleeve]

It is an excellent choice.

The difference in visual quality and speed will be VERY noticable.

________________
<b>Radeon <font color=red>9500 PRO</b></font color=red> <i>(hardmodded 9500, o/c 322/322)</i>
<b>AthlonXP <font color=red>2600+</b></font color=red> <i>(o/c 2400+ w/143Mhz fsb)</i>
<b>3dMark03: <font color=red>4,055</b></font color=red>

 

[jmecor]

9600 Pro or 9500 Pro are both very nice video cards.

<b>MY RIG</b>
<font color=purple> INTEL P4 2.0GHZ | NVIDIA GEFORCEFX 5200 64MB | 256MB DDR266 SDRAM | INT. AUDIO | SEAGATE 7200.7 40GB HDD | LG 15" CRT | WIN98SE</font color=purple>

 

[Coyote]

I've had a GF2-GTS and a 9600pro (still as you can see in my sig) Yeah, I'd say your going to see a very noticable improvement. Enjoy

XP 2000+
MSI KT3 ULTRA-2 KT333
Maxtor 60GB ATA 133 7200RPM
512MB PC2700
9600 Pro
Win98SE

 

[Scupper]

Thanks, guys, - I'll take the plunge!

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Be sure to clean out the old nVidia Drivers (with something like <A HREF="http://www.guru3d.com/index.php?page=detonatorrip&menu=0" target="_new">Detonator RIP</A>), and be sure you have your updated mobo drivers before you install the Radeon. It should help you avoid some of the most common issues.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[ytoledano]

Don't rush with upgrading, IMO it's only worth it if you see low FPS in games you play or if you need to lower settings to get game to be playable.

Got a nice overclocked overvolted system to keep you warm at night? That's great. Guess I'll have to settle for a woman...

 

[Scupper]

I don't think I'm rushing too much, - I've had the GF3 for getting on two years and FPS is my problem now. I use track IR (which follows head movement) with my flightsim, which is great, but it slows down to about 10 FPS or less when things start really happening, which is disorienting. I've improved it by lowering the parameters but the game doesn't look so nice anymore. It's true though that in a few months I'll doubtless be kicking myself for not having waited for the 9700/9800 to come down in price.

I'll certainly do my best to get rid of Nvidia stuff before installing the new board.

Thanks again.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Just one last thing before you commit.

Look for the price of an FX5900SE or FX5900XT. Thhey are slightly slower than a regular FX5900non-ultra, but they are the same MSRP of the R9600P, it should give you higher frame rates, and is usually cheaper than an R9800non-pro.

Just something to check if you happen to see one.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK