What to do? Please help (9800 buying)

[yodjone]

hey all, its nice to visit back here after a while, lovely forum, lots of info and advice to make comparisons with!

ok i'll try and keep this short..

i've got a good old 9700 np at 9700 pro speeds, but 30-40fps in cs source just dosent cut it anymore, i'd like ideally 60-70++

Basically i've been looking at 9800 pro's for the past 2-3 days and trying to decide on which one to get for modding to a 9800XT

i think i'll just go with a 128 meg one, as this should be sufficient for CS:Source.. well i presume so

i'm in the UK, and am currently looking for one, hoping that I can get an R360 core one, basically, i'd like you guys input as to which one to go for, i know its probably random, but if anyone has any extra info or suggestions as to which one i should buy, then please do!

I would love to newegg it, but unfortunatly with me being in the UK, newegg does not have a UK site or anything.


the choices are basically here:

1) http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/9700_to_9800_Series.html - the top two, here is a connect3d and sapphire cards, both look similar, and both look like they could potentially have r360 cores, though i couldnt say for certain as the shop dosent say how new theyre stock came in

2) http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=55198 - My friend got this card, i told him what to do to flash it, and he flashed it today, and successfully, i think his was a r360 core, and he bought it 12 days ago, so if i ordered this card, i may be in for a chance of having the same stock as him and getting an r360, though I cant purchase ramsinks aswell from this site, which is why i'm thinking about going with option 1..


3) http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=15264 - the 'play it safe' option, this card is condiserably more expencive, but would guarantee a decent core/core speed card, then again it does seem that this card is pretty similar to the 9800 pro if i bios modded the 9800 (provided i got an r360 core), so i really dont think i should go for this one.. but i would really feel better if i got a good 'bang for my buck' deal



What do you guys think would be my best chance with getting an r360 core? I know its more than likely just luck of the draw.. but hey.. maybe someone knows something i dont.

Or, if anyone knows any other UK sites, that could potentially have a good chance of r360 cored 9800 pro's, then please fill me in.. i'm more than likely going to get one tomorrow, as i've wasted so much time contemplaiting over which one to get, thanks!

 

[Nazo]

Are you hardcore ati? I mean, you won't consider a nVidia card? Because, the 6800LE and 6600GT are supposedly both better than a Radeon 9800 Pro by a decent amount and at the same price. However, the 6600GT won't be available in AGP for two months at best. THe 6800LE hasn't quite hit the shelves yet (though it is officially out now) and will supposedly remain OEM only, so will be harder to find (I personally expect to see it on newegg though.) I've read that MSI is working on their own 6800LE, maybe they will make a retail. I would assume that other companies will work on it too, it just sounds like MSI might have one released first. I'm thinking we might see the 6800LE pretty soon. I just hope that I can hold out. My 9600 Pro is screwed up horribly and I'm having to use an ancient peice of crap since anime doesn't look so great with lines, dots, and color distortions everywhere.

If nothing else, the 3.0 pixel shaders might be worth it if the three are exactly equal (or close enough anyway.) Also, a few are saying these cards might be just a bit better than the 9800XT. Just wish I could find one already.

 

[JustPyro]

i agree, coming from a 9700, a 9800 pro just isn't worth it. if you can hold out a couple of months, you'd be much better off going with a 6800 or 6800GT if the price drops enough. 9800pros are still close to $200 USD. any of the current gen cards will completely smoke the 9800pro and xt.

 

[mr.fishie]

it's pointless to go from 97 to 98, sell yer 97 and get the vanilla 68 or the gt.

 

[Nazo]

You can maby earn enough, but, I seriously doubt those prices will drop any time soon. Remember, nVidia is releasing two new cards to fit into the $200 range, and even another one to fit into the $150 or maybe a bit less range. So I serioudly doubt they have plans to let the prices drop in any kind of hurry.

However, you WOULD be far better off if you could save up for a 6800 non-ultra. Those things are pretty darned good. Unless I've musinderstood rather a lot, that 6800nu is much better than even a 9800XT in fact. You are looking at $280 or so for that though. The 6800LE -- whenever you can actually get it at all -- will be pretty crippled in comparison, though it should be better than a 9800Pro and MAYBE just MAYBE slightly better than a 9800XT.