Is there a certain problem with the 9700 Pro?

I need to get a new video card for my box #2, but you have to understand that it only has 512mb of PC2700 and only an AGP4x slot (but I've heard that doesn't matter), but the thing is I don't see a huge point in going all out for it.

I need to be able to run Far Cry decently and HL2/CS: Source.

I found a website that has 9700 Pros for like $157 or something. What I was wondering was, is there any particular reason ATI dropped the 9700 (such as due to problems) or would I just be better off with something else?

Um, because it's an older model most likely. Realize that you've got the 9800 flavors and now the x800 models that have come out since.

theres no problems with the 9700pro they are still quite fast cards i can play all thos games above ok at 1280x1024 or 1024x768

Ok, I was just wondering b/c they just dropped off the map as soon as the 9800series came out. But yeah, I'm not looking to spend too much tho/

A 9700pro is slightly better at stock than a regular 9800. The next card up from the 9700pro would be the 9800pro. Some 9700's overclock really well, to about 9800pro speeds, but then others do not do so well in the core and memory speeds. Remember that the 9800np and 9700pro both use 3.3ns ram and the 9800pro uses 2.8. You might be able to find a 9800pro for not much more than $157. My brother bought a refurbished 9800pro from newegg for only $150 shipped and it runs great. The core overclocked to 412 and the memory can only do 355. If you are patient another will come up this cheap. I had a 9700pro and it didn't overclock that well. It is really luck of the draw, but chances are that a 9800pro will overclock much better than a 9700pro while not costing too much more. Just a thought.

thanks yeah I'll keep looking then

Remember that the 9800np and 9700pro both use 3.3ns ram and the 9800pro uses 2.8.

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The 9700 Pro is supposed to use 2.8ns samsung ram. My 9700 NP came with 2.8ns ram.

There is nothing wrong with the R300 (9700), it was simply replaced by the R350 at the high end. There was no place in the middle for the R300 because the R350 needed the fab capacity and the inexpensive-to-make RV350 took the space in the middle of the product line leaving no place for the expensive-to-produce R300. So, nothing wrong with it, just no place for it in the product line.

It is unreasonable to expect a R300 to get the same speeds as a R350, but they do overclock well. My 9700non-pro runs at 360/330 from 275/270 stock.

I'd say you should look for 9800pros, unless you get a really good deal on the 9700. No matter how well the 9700 you get overclocks, a 9800pro should be faster.