My MSI 9800 PRO Scores

No_Style

I thought 3DMark03 wasn't very influenced by other components, is that still true after the patches and such?

My score: 6411 3DMarks

P4 2.4B @ 3.24 GHz
1 GB of PC2700 RAM
ASUS P4P800 Deluxe
MSI Radeon 9800 PRO @ 398/351

I wasn't able to increase the clockspeeds anymore without artifacts. (Well, the memory could be pushed another notch). Mother Nature shows white dots if I hit 405 MHz for core.

My card is recognized as a 9800XT by Catalyst and practically every other software. What's the benefit of this? I heard of some optimizations made for 9800XTs, which is why some people mod their 9800 PROs to XTs. Shed light on this please

UZ7

The main differences is XT uses a different chip allows higher clocking (r360 vs r350), and have onboard temperature monitoring (can check card temp via display control panel). Its about 5-10% faster than the Pro and of course you get 256mb rather than 128mb (unless you sheed money for 256). It also has adds a new feature called "Overdrive" which lets you oc to the limit. Last but not least the cooling which is better than the pros

Basically XT has:
1. Newer Chip (r360)
2. On board temperature monitoring (always a good thing esp for ocers)
3. Has 256mb
4. Overdrive feature
5. Stock cooling better than Pro's stock cooling
6. Default clock at 412/365 (730ddr) vs 380/340 (680ddr)

main con: price, comparison in prices the pro is more bang for your buck, xt is too expensive for being a step up, also with the x800 series coming out and the pro prices are falling... you get a super card at a low price

No_Style

However, I should have been more specific. I meant the core itself. I know the cards have benefits, but the core itself..has to have some substantial difference. Although you did mention the better overclocking.

The better overclocking isn't evident in my R360 Core for my MSI 9800 PRO though. I can't even hit stock 412 MHz for Core speed. I'm thinking it's undervolted since the white dots appear.

CDsDontBurn

get some ram sinks for your 9800pro. check out www.svc.com. they have great cooling mods for video cards, CPUs, and system cooling. after the mods, you can OC your card a bit more and get better scores.

No_Style

Furious1

There are Sharder Optimisations in the 9800XT bios that only work with a R360 Core.

That is why you Flash a R360 Pro.

With a R350 Pro you just Overclock because Flashing will not do anything.

This is the NUMBER one reason for Flashing 9800pro to XT.

R350 @ 412/365 = 6250

R350 FLASHED to XT @ 412/365 = 6250
(IF it works - Most likely have Errors)

R360 @ 412/365 = 6250

R360 FLASHED to XT @ 412/365 = 6719

Extra 300 to 700 3Dmarks on Average just for Flashing.

So if you have 9800PRO with 128mb RAM and a R360 Core, Like I did. FLASH IT.

ONLY DO THIS if you can get it to run at XT speeds without Artifacts. UPGRADE THE STANDARD COOLING.

dipstick

R360 cores on 9800 Pros are indeed undervolted(or so have found the many peeps at Rage3d). WIth a voltmod it should do much better

No_Style

It came pre-flashed as an 9800XT.

As for the cooling: it has really good cooling compared to other stock coolers.

As for a volt mod, I'm no good at those

Drakon

since artifacts were mentioned before, does anyone mind explaining what exactly are they and what do they look like? I currently have my 9800 pro clocked at 470/380 and i have benched it a little and i don't really know what exactly am i looking for... any help about this is appreciated!!!

Furious1

A few different commons ones are.

White Dots ANYWHERE they shouldnt be.

Triangle Flashes or Perment Marks in a frame.

Color Distortions.

Basicaly anything that is there that shouldnt be. Look for Triangles and White Dots First. They are very common.

Drakon

ohhh ok, thanks... i did see little flashing white dots from time to time in the nature bench, so i backed off a little with the core and they don't seem to be showing up anymore.... at least for now...