9500NP vs 9600XT

[Fronic]

The 9500 has L shaped memory and the 9600 is a gygabyte. Both are the same price. Which would perform better?

[Sharkman]

If you are lucky enough to soft-mod the 9500 it will be better. The 9500's can soft-mod to 9700 specs but it's a big chance to take. For the safe and sure bet the 9600xt would be the way to go. The retail version of the 9600xt you will get Half-Life 2 when ever it comes out. So thats another plus :D

[Yuriman]

My 9500np scores about 2700 3dmarks in 03 at stock, while at its max oc I get around 3700. My friends 9600pro gets around 3600 stock, and about 3700 with its very max oc with every bit of power squeezed out. Its fairly close, and because I have 256bit ram I handle AA better than him, but the 9600 is a faster card. I would think the 9600xt would get ~4000-4200 marks, so that would be what I would go with. IMHO its not worth the risk buying a 9500 that only has a chance of softmoding unless its under $120. Mine was $90 :D

[Josebmw]

I get around 4250 3dmarks 2003 and 14350 3dmarks 2001SE with my 9600 XT card. I was able to get 13,100 3dmarks 2001SE, and 3750 3dmarks2003 with my dead radeon 9500 np (L memory, not softmodded). The reason I did not get another 9500np is that softmodding is a large risk, rather have guaranteed better performance.