9600se VS 5200ultra....

[the Undone guy]

I'm about to purchase a video card for my girlfriend's computer...I'm torn between a nvidia 5200ultra and an ATI 9600se....both around the same price range of $130. Any insight into which one would be better overall? I cannot find reviews on the 9600se's yet... thanks

[CamH]

Neither card is very good. If you have to get one, though, I'd say go with the 9600SE. It should offer a little bit better speed, and at least a bit of playability in Dx9 games.

[Jarhead7236]

get a 9600pro...the fx5200 (even the ultra) is barely adequate and the 9600se isn't too hot either..but if you're not a hardore gamer, then go for the 9600se....or see if you can find a 9500 non-pro somewhere...

[kct2]

If 3d is no concern (and I would bet it isn't considering you are looking at a 9600se), then get a 9200 64mb or 128mb for around $50-$60. Don't even waste the money on a 9600se.

If 3d is a concern (specifically dx9) then don't get the 9600se, spend another $30-$40 and get a 9600pro, it'll be worth it.

[xcelerator]

5200 is boto.....

[the Undone guy]

i'm going to be putting this card in my gf's machine for casual gaming when im over at her house, so 3d and dx9 is a concern. I'm looking in the price range of 130 though since its not going to be used all that often. The only cards i can find for that price are the 5200ultra and the 9600se. Im assuming the clock speeds are higher on the 9600pro, but what else is different between the 2 cards? And would you definatly say pick the 9600se over the 5200ultra? thanks again guys.

[kct2]

Originally posted by the Undone guy
And would you definatly say pick the 9600se over the 5200ultra?

HA - look what forum you posted in!



Im assuming the clock speeds are higher on the 9600pro, but what else is different between the 2 cards?

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


Also, looking at pricewatch, you can get a FX5600 ultra for around $130, seems like that would be a much better option (I'm guessing 5600>5200).

http://www.compuhq.com/compuhq/bfgasgefxul1.html

(I have never used this vendor, so I make no endorsement)

Also, look here: http://www.gameve.com/store/gameve_viewitem.asp?idproduct=1185 (retail)
or
http://www.gameve.com/store/gameve_viewitem.asp?idproduct=1399 (oem)

As far as I can tell, this is not an SE, but a non-pro, so the memory bus isn't as crippled. I doubt you would be able to overclock the ram (not BGA) to make up the difference with a pro, but it will still be better than the SE.

Gameve.com (a company I have used, and like alot) has many 9600 np's for under $130, so browse their site, these non-pro cards will be a much better option compared to an SE.

[Mustanley]

If you check pricewatch.com, you'll see the 9500np and 9600 Pro listed in the $130 range.

[kct2]

If you check pricewatch.com, you'll see the 9500np and 9600 Pro listed in the $130 range.


Those listings are somewhat misleading, the cards listed around $130 are 9600 PRO-EZ cards, which are essentially PRO speed GPU's with non-pro memory (slow TSOP memory, instead of better BGA components).

The 9500np, however, seems like a really good option, and I think it will end up being better than a 9600 pro-ez, non-pro, or SE.

[Evnas]

Originally posted by Mustanley
If you check pricewatch.com, you'll see the 9500np and 9600 Pro listed in the $130 range.

And you can also find "9800 128mb" for $157...though we should all know thats the SE, not the "Non-Pro"

[Captain Hilts]

I would advise very strongly against getting either of these cards. Neither are adequate for DX9 generation games (even though they are DX9 parts). The 64 bit memory bus just cripples the 9600SE too much. Both cards perform in about the same range (I suppose making the 9600SE a better buy because of the HL2 coupon) but neither are worth the money.

Newegg has 9600 Pros for under $150 (real versions, not EZ versions or whatever) and those would be far, far better than either of these cards. Even an 8500 would be better than either of these in a lot of benchmarks.

Here's a review of the 9600SE performance if you want to see for yourself.

http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/radeon/asus-ati.html

As a side note, I have heard of some people getting a 9600 Pro in the box when getting a 9600SE. I don't know how true this is though, and wouldn't buy the SE for that reason since the 9600 Pro doesn't cost too much more anyway.

[Yuriman]

An 8500 would womp the 9600se in 3d games. The FX's have shader problems, making them preform poorly in all dx9 apps. The 9600se has 64bit ram, AND at lower clock, equaling only about 2/5 the memory bandwidth of the 8500. Personaly, I dont see why you need DX9 functionality. Im pretty sure that all DX9 games can revert to DX8, and it realy doesnt look much different. Get a 9600np, or even a pro, if you REALY want dx9, or get a radeon 8500/9100 if you want good preformance at realy low cost.