[srwven]

Ok the software mod yielded artifacts. This card overclocks pretty well (haven't pushed it yet). My question is, if I can overclock this card to say, 330/310 would it be as good as the 9500 pro with 128mb or should I get the 9500pro 128mb? Why is the 9500np with 128mb (256bit bus) not on par with a 9500 pro 128mb with only 128 bit bus, or is it?

[SLO]

The 9500 N/P is only 128bit from the factory. The hack enables the extra pipelines to make it a 256bit card. This is essentially making it a 9700 N/P.

The 9500 Pro is only 128bit as you said, but clocked higher than the 9500 N/P. From the factory the 9500 Pro is considerably better but once you hack the 9500 N/P it should be about comparable to a 9700 if not a little less.

[skid]

The 9500 N/P is only 128bit from the factory. The hack enables the extra pipelines to make it a 256bit card. This is essentially making it a 9700 N/P.

No, there are a few older 9500's out there that were made on the 9700 PCB and they have a 256-bit mem bus.

Enabling the 4 more pipelines on the 9500 gets you to 9500 Pro status, not 9700. You don't get a 256-bit mem bus.

The 9500 Pro's ALL use a 128- bit mem bus.

[Evnas]

Originally posted by SLO
The 9500 N/P is only 128bit from the factory. The hack enables the extra pipelines to make it a 256bit card. This is essentially making it a 9700 N/P.

The 9500 Pro is only 128bit as you said, but clocked higher than the 9500 N/P. From the factory the 9500 Pro is considerably better but once you hack the 9500 N/P it should be about comparable to a 9700 if not a little less.

Originally posted by skid


No, there are a few older 9500's out there that were made on the 9700 PCB and they have a 256-bit mem bus.

Enabling the 4 more pipelines on the 9500 gets you to 9500 Pro status, not 9700. You don't get a 256-bit mem bus.

The 9500 Pro's ALL use a 128- bit mem bus.

Ur both a little wrong, lol. There are still lots of the regular 9500s on 9700 PCBs out there due to the 9500 not selling so well because of only having 4 pipelines. However, once they are gone, they are gone for good because (especially in light of the hack) they are being made on the 9500 PCB.

The hack did not unlock a 256bit bus, just the 4 other pipelines. However, there seems to be a reason that the cut those 4 pipelines....in most cases they dont work and cause problems when rendering.

As for the original post, the 9500 regular will never be able to match the 9500 Pro...so if uve got the cash, go for the Pro. I love mine, and its definatly the best purchase ive ever made on a video card.

[Cisco Kid]

Originally posted by Evnas




Ur both a little wrong, lol. There are still lots of the regular 9500s on 9700 PCBs out there due to the 9500 not selling so well because of only having 4 pipelines. However, once they are gone, they are gone for good because (especially in light of the hack) they are being made on the 9500 PCB.

The hack did not unlock a 256bit bus, just the 4 other pipelines. However, there seems to be a reason that the cut those 4 pipelines....in most cases they dont work and cause problems when rendering.

As for the original post, the 9500 regular will never be able to match the 9500 Pro...so if uve got the cash, go for the Pro. I love mine, and its definatly the best purchase ive ever made on a video card.

I agree with Evnas, I have the 9500 Pro it is an excellent card and I am happy with th purchase. I see the value in getting a 9500 NP and doing the hack but ther is NO guarantee.

We are now seeing the issues that are following the software or hardware mod. For me I do not want to be bothered with the necessary fiddling to get the 9500 NP to work properly with the 8 pipes enabled.

There is a reason these cards are being sold with only 4 pipes working, it has to do with quality control thats my guess. If you are ready for a crapshoot grab a 9500 NP, if you want to buy a card pop it in your machine flash the bios to warp and have the overclockabilty by the 9500 Pro BBA in OEM or retail version.

Thas my 2 cents

Cisco KId