Which All-In-Wonder is best bang for the buck?

[tluxon]

I want to upgrade my All-In-Wonder Radeon 8500 and am not sure whether I want to spend over $300 for the AIW 9800 Pro. However, I'm really into HDTV and see that the AIW 9800 Pro has DVI while the AIW 9600 Pro does not. Also, I see that the 9800 is HDTV compatible while the 9600 is HDTV compatible with an adapter.

I can get the AIW 9600 Pro for under $200 if I act fast ($20 rebate that ends tomorrow), so I'm leaning that way a bit.

What are the most compelling reasons to spring for the AIW 9800 Pro? Or am I not really losing that much by going with the AIW 9600 Pro?

BTW, I primarily use SolidWorks, do video editing, and like to have an onscreen TV on while I work.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Vimp]

The little I know is that like the new Radeon XT cards the Radeon AIW 9600 Pro comes with a coupon for a free Half Life 2. I don't know if the 9800 AIW comes with that or not. Also the AIW 9600 Pro is actually slightly enhanced performance wise from the normal 9600 Pro. I believe its simply higher clocked then the normal 9600 Pro.

 

[Ion]

If you play games in max detail, AIW 9800 pro will be good.

And if i remember right AIW 9600 pro can do DVI with adapter.

 

[bobmitch]

The 9800 AIW comes with Elder Scrolls III-Morrowind, just as the 9700 AIW Pro did. For some reason, you get an older game with the better card! Go figure!

Bob

 

[Crashman]

I got a great deal on my AIW 9600 Pro, it was free, a review sample. It's a GREAT freaking card, plays the latest games with the highest quality settings smoothly at 1280x1024 resolution.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

'Better' card came out BEFORE the R9600P and long before the HL2 promo. Quite simple really.



- 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

<b>-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-</b>

 

[tluxon]

I ordered the AIW 9600 Pro from Micro Center for 199.99 plus a $20 rebate and it's on the way.

Thanks everyone,

Tim