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Geek Culture / Help in graphics card choice

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TEH_CODERER
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Posted: 14th Feb 2007 13:43
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Hi, I hope this is the right place.

I currently own a Radeon 9600SE 128Mb and a Radeon 9550 256Mb. I'm trying to decide which one to use. the 9600SE is installed at the moment but I have researched a bit and as far as I can tell the 9550 is slightly better. Can anyone confirm or deny this for me please.

Thanks.

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Phaelax
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Posted: 14th Feb 2007 20:30
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SE model is usually a stripped down version I believe. Given that the 9550 is only very slightly older, its not bottom-line version of that model so its possible the clockspeeds may be faster.

9600SE specs:
64-bit memory interface (128 on all the non-SE models)
4 rendering pipelines
1.3 Gpixels/sec
core clock 325mhz
memory clock 200mhz

9550 specs:
128-bit memory interface
4 rendering pipelines
1.0 Gpixels/sec
core clock 250mhz
memory clock 400mhz

So your 9550 has a clear advantage with memory size and speed, but a slower core clock on the chipset.

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TEH_CODERER
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Posted: 14th Feb 2007 21:12
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Thanks, so that still leaves the 9550 with the advantage just?

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Phaelax
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Posted: 15th Feb 2007 01:24
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Given the amount of textures in games these days, I think you'll see better performance with the 256mb 9550 over the 128mb 9600, regardless of the 9600 being slightly faster in calculations and fillrates.

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Zaibatsu
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Posted: 15th Feb 2007 01:40
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Quote: "9600SE specs:
64-bit memory interface (128 on all the non-SE models)
4 rendering pipelines
1.3 Gpixels/sec
core clock 325mhz
memory clock 200mhz

9550 specs:
128-bit memory interface
4 rendering pipelines
1.0 Gpixels/sec
core clock 250mhz
memory clock 400mhz"


where do people find this crap?

"I admire its purity, a survivor, unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality"

"Once again you've snatched defeat from the jaws of victory!"
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Phaelax
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Posted: 15th Feb 2007 01:47
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ATI website was a good place to start.

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Zaibatsu
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Posted: 15th Feb 2007 02:08
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Quote: "ATI website was a good place to start.
"


i never found that info when i was looking at graphics cards...

"I admire its purity, a survivor, unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality"

"Once again you've snatched defeat from the jaws of victory!"
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Phaelax
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Posted: 15th Feb 2007 02:12
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Might've been AMD's website, I'm not sure.

http://ati.amd.com/products/radeon9600/radeon9600pro/compare.html

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BiggAdd
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Posted: 15th Feb 2007 07:28
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THe ATi website is the AMD website now. Which is a shame because the ati website was warmingly red.... while its new skin is cold and green


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TEH_CODERER
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Posted: 15th Feb 2007 10:22
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Thanks. That was the same information I had found and thought that would be the case. Just wanted to make sure from someone more knowledgable than me.

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Kentaree
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Posted: 15th Feb 2007 13:10
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Have a look into flashing your 9600se, sometimes they can be flashed to be the same as a normal 9600 which would be superior to your 9550

Nephin Games
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Fallout
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Posted: 15th Feb 2007 13:17
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Give a benchmark program like 3dmark a try. Probably the most definitive method.


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TEH_CODERER
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Posted: 15th Feb 2007 17:09
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Flashed? Is that like softmodding?

Quote: "Give a benchmark program like 3dmark a try. Probably the most definitive method."

[Cough]Can't[Cough]run it!
AMD AthlonXP 2400+
DDR400 768MB RAM
Can handle 2003 version just but only just. Newer version just won't run.

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Phaelax
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Posted: 16th Feb 2007 03:00
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Flashing is where you're basically updating the firmware, or instructions, of the chipset. Just be careful when flashing anything, done incorrectly could really screw something up. (though its a lot safer/easier than it used to be)

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TEH_CODERER
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Posted: 16th Feb 2007 10:26
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So that is editing the bios? Making the PC think you have a better card than you actually do? I think I read somehwere that I can get barely anything out of the 9600SE but that I can get a 9600Pro or 9600XT out of the 9550 without even needing any extra cooling. I think I'll give that a shot. If it doesn't work and the card overheats I'll just go back to my current card.
Thanks.

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indi
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Posted: 17th Feb 2007 08:31
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if your looking for a gaming card and direct x joy, i think you might have better luck with the nvidia range as well as DBP.

I tested DT with mate on the 9600ATI 128, he got 26 fps, and with this cruddy TI4200 128nvidia im rockin on 60fps

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Uncle Sam
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Posted: 17th Feb 2007 10:34
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Or you could try mine (sig) and soar over a few thousand fps - or something like that.

Uncle Sam
Nvidia Geforce 7950GT 512MB PCIEx, 2.66 GHZ Pentium 4 proccessor, 1GB RAM
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GatorHex
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Posted: 17th Feb 2007 10:44 Edited at: 17th Feb 2007 11:01
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Go for something nVidia, Direct X9/10, and with cool pipes.. i hate the bloody noise of fans!

nVidias unified driver makes getting future updates more likly than competitors models i recon. Nothing worse than an unsupported product in my eyes.



http://www.KumKie.com http://bulldog.servegame.com
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Phaelax
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Posted: 17th Feb 2007 15:39
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Although I think Nvidia's driver package is getting a little too big. 40mb download for some drivers is ridiculous. I've never seen 1 driver for a specific piece of hardware ever needing to be over 1mb. Sure, Nvidia makes it easier for everyone (themselves and users), but I'd rather specifiy my exact card and get ONLY the driver I need. Plus, when there's an update it might not necessarily have anything to do with your card specifically.

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TEH_CODERER
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Posted: 17th Feb 2007 16:03
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I'm afraid I'm set in my ways! I'd be happy to own an NVidia card but I always buy ATI!

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GatorHex
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Posted: 17th Feb 2007 23:54
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ATI provide the graphics in the XBox 360 and I've lost count of the number of times it frozen up.

I'd prefer the XBox 360 to the PS3 if stuff didn't freeze up but I don't ever remember having issues with Sony games so I might have to switch over when they are on genral release... still waiting Sony!

http://www.KumKie.com http://bulldog.servegame.com
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