Which 9800pro is the best?

[SantiMun]

I'm looking to buy a 128mb 256bit 9800pro. I want one that has the R360 instead of the R350. I wan't to overclock this sucker to an XT so here is my two choices. Either buy a new Hightech 9800pro 128mb at newegg for 240 bucks (free shipping) or buy a new ATI 9800 pro 128mb from a friend for $170 (un-opened box). If I buy the one from my friend I'll have to buy a better heatsink/cooler. I was looking at the Thermaltake Giant 3 for about 35 bucks. I'll need some copper ram sinks too (between 10-20 bucks) and some arctic silver (10 bucks). That would make it around 210 to 240 bucks to order that set up. The advantage it has over the Hightech one would only be that it would have a possibly better heatsink/fan. But the downside (and to me most important) is I believe that the ATI 9800pro's only have the R350 core chips. I read in some reviews that Hightechs 9800pro has the R360 core. So.... which card should I choose? Is the difference between the R350 and R360 that important if I want to overclock it to an XT?? Thanks in advance :beer:

[Tatuya]

The best VGA HSF is the VGA silencer, which is cheaper than the giant 3 and on the High tech, FYI.

[hamad]

hi..
i heard that r350 is better overclocker than r360 but not sure if thats true..
i myself bought SAPPHIRE ati 9800 for $209 and it has r360 core.
this one:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-268&depa=1
i also bought the VGA silencer with oz ram heatsink too, and it overclocks easly to xt version.

[Harreh]

is there a real need for a 256mb card in this flavor with hl2 and doom 3 on the horizon?

i'm in the market for a 9800 pro myself

[SantiMun]

Umm... I'm almost 100% positive that the heatsink/fan on the Hightech 9800pro is the VGA silencer, they are exactly the same. If they weren't I'm sure Hightech would have a lawsuit from them by now. But regardless, the real question is whether or not I should choose a 9800pro with a R360 over the cards with the R350...

[SantiMun]

Come on guys, some advice would help out a lot...

[saliq82]

Well i just got a BBA 9800 pro 128 a few days ago i guess similiar to the one your friend has for 170 and with stock heatsink i easily get 430/375... which is past XT speeds. It can prolly get a a little more out of it but dont care to go higher right now.

[SantiMun]

Thanks everyone, I decided to order a saphire 9800pro since it does have the R360 core. I'll just have to wait a while and save up to buy a good heatsink/fan and some memory sinks.

[shard]

question on the saphire 9800pro Ultimate Edition. does that heat sink cool any good?

[itim100]

i just got the $209 sapphire 9800 pro that is usually a r360. Can you tell anywhere without pulling off the HSF?

[NiTrO bOiE]

i just got the $209 sapphire 9800 pro that is usually a r360. Can you tell anywhere without pulling off the HSF?

Compare the PCB to the PCB in 9800Pro or XT mods. If the PCBs match (9800Pro mod PCB matches your card), it's a 9800Pro, if it doesn't match, it's a XT.

[elitebear4]

HIS radeon 9800 pro. a bit at the expensive side at $239 in newegg, but it overclocks like a wet dream