which card should I buy? budget 250$

[Lifthanger]

Hi.
I've recently fried my 9600xt (works, but throws "unreadable memory" errors) and now I'm in need of a new card.
I thought of a 9800 pro with R360 core, which is almost the same than a much pricier 9800xt. How could I know which core is used? Are there special brands using the new core?
Btw. which are the standard core and ram clocks for 9800 pros?
Or should I get another card, maybe an nvidia?
I want something I can use for the next 18 months or so, for a max of 300$.
I know there are some tricks out there (like 9800 pro to 9800xt), so maybe some modder guru can help me .
Thanks!

 

[=ACID RAIN=]

I just bought the 9800pro 256MB from newegg. It was a 9800XT through and through . I just installed it today, and it's already watercooled and flashed to an XT BIOS. It even has the 2.5ns Hynix ram. Naturally, it has the 360 core too

Here is the card:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-361&depa=0

 

[Lifthanger]

that's just what I wanted to here! thanks!
only problem is, I'm living in germany... no newegg here..
I should try to find a friend in the united states .
Is there any US hardware shop that is shipping to europe?
These cards cost about 350$ dollars here...
damn.. your card is exactly what I was searching for.. you're a lucky guy
I would also take the sapphire with 128MB and r360 core.

 

[meionm]

You can also get this one sapphire 9800 pro with 128mb, I think all of them have r360 core http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-268&depa=0

 

[Lifthanger]

thanks I've just edited my last post while you answered..
I'm still searching for a way to get these things over to me.
8000 miles are not far, are they?

 

[HousERaT]

Newegg.com has the sapphire 9800pro for $195.00. If you're lucky enough to get one with the r360 core, you can do some neat things with it.

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=311829

 

[Lifthanger]

is there something special about the rx9800 pro from MSI?
I'm just searching through ebay, they ship to europe sometimes..

damnit: all these 9800 pro with 256MB ddrII and r360 only ship to the US..
I'm going nuts

how's this?
Ati Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB DDRII. are these R360?