Powercolor 9800SE Opinions please?

[iqwertyi]

Is this card any good. I was looking for a card for around $100 and this one is slightly more. Marjority of the card will be used for CAD work, and very little gaming. But would like to be able to play occasionally without any problems.

PowerColor ATI RADEON 9800SE Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-Bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Bundle Free Hitman Contracts Game Model "R98-SC3" -OEM

or

SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "ATLANTIS RADEON 9600" -RETAIL

Just curious since I've been reading that the "SE" are crap and may just be worth getting the 9600 instead.

Thanks for your inputs.

[Kaswyn]

I have both the Sapphire 9600PRO, and Sapphire 9800SE cards, and the 9800SE performs on par with the 9600PRO, but the 9800SE much more overclockable (by good luck), so it's faster.

Since you're thinking of getting the 9600 non-pro, I'd go with the 9800SE. It'll be faster than the non-pro. Also, there's a small chance you may be able to soft mod it to get all 8 pipelines running instead of just 4, without any artifacts.

[iqwertyi]

Thanks for replying Kaswyn.

Now what about if I don't plan to do any type of overclocking, is this 128 MB 9800SE still better than the 256MB 9600 (non pro).

I notice that the specs show that the 9800SE is a 256-bit card and 580 MHz memory but slower clock speed than the 9600 (580 vs 600) but it's probably not noticable. Just making sure that it's a better buy even though it's labeled as an "SE".

Thanks

[iqwertyi]

Nevermind about the previous question, just ordered the 9800SE.

Thanks again.

[Drec]

you maybe able to softmod the 9800se to a 9800pro! making it one badass card...look into that when you get your card.